May 2, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Mother’s Day and prom pictures IEPs and graduation ceremonies Tulips, daffodils, and violets It must be May, and that means it’s time for a new set of core words to model, elicit, and practice. In this post, we have a number of resources and an announcement (scroll to the bottom) for those who’ve tried their hand at implementation. Thanks to all who’ve reached out with questions, comments, and words of appreciation for the Year of Core Vocabulary series. Here are some helpful resources for those who are using the words in Set 1 ( 2013 Year of Core Words) or Set 2 (Another Year of Core Words). If you are contemplating this approach, feel free to jump in at any time. The best time to start (or re-start) is right now. Don’t worry about retracing steps, or not ‘doing it right.’ The best way to get better at core vocabulary... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: core vocabulary, download, resource
May 1, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Here are some posts you may have missed. Tuesday: 5 Features to Look for in SGDs and AAC Apps Thursday: Video of the Week – Infusing Core Word Practice into Daily Interactions Friday: AAC Strategies Round-up: Aided Language Input
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
April 29, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
We’ve been writing about aided language input, a pivotal strategy for supporting AAC learners, for several years. In fact, there are over 200 posts tagged with this term. In this post, we gather together some of the most popular posts on this fundamental intervention strategy. Implementation A PrAACtical Idea for Aided Language Input Using Aided Language Input to Build Communication Opportunities! How I Do It: Implementing Aided Language Input with Alicia Garcia Pivotal Skills for AAC Intervention: Aided Language Input How We Do It: Controlled Practice in Partner Augmented Input with Jill Senner & Matthew Baud Text-Based Aided Language: Making the Literacy-Communication Connection for Children with Autism Videos PrAACtical Resources: Video Explainers for Aided Language Input Video of the Week: Aided Language Input with Gail Van Tatenhove Video of the Week: Aided Language Input with Dr. Caroline Musselwhite PrAACtical Resources: Video Examples of Aided Language Input Aided Language Input in... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: aided language input, intervention, video
April 26, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Isn’t it amazing how sophisticated some of the SGDs and AAC apps have become? We all realize the importance of looking at their features and making selections based on assessment information and data from trial periods. Beyond that, there are features that are important to us as interventionists. Here are some to look for as you explore AAC apps and traditional SGDs. Data collection: The history feature is very helpful, but many high tech SGDs and AAC apps can be configured to gather additional data that we can use for a variety of purposes. Busy professionals appreciate this information and can use it in their assessments and goal-setting. Data analysis: A few AAC software programs and apps even help us make sense of the data that is gathered. This allows us to adjust our therapy and support plans to better meet the needs of our clients. Easy and reliable back-up:... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC app, feature match, SGD, the fives
April 24, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
It’s been a busy week of AAC. Monday – AAC & ASD: Teaching Communication Partners Through Video Modeling Wednesday – Video of the Week: Getting Started with AAC for Parents & Practitioners Friday – PrAACtically Pinteresting with Lauren Enders: Writing AAC Goals & Objectives
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
April 22, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Is it IEP season where you live? In many places, clinicians, educators, and families are in discussion about specific AAC skills to target for the year ahead. Luckily for us, Lauren Enders has been collecting digital resources on this topic. Enjoy! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Very frequently, I am asked to support teachers and clinicians as they look to document AAC in the IEP. On this board, I have curated a selection of resources that provide support for writing IEP goals and objectives as well as more general information about inclusion of AAC and AT in the IEP. The resources on this board include descriptions of well-written, measurable goals as well as more focused examples of goals that target various stages of language development for students who use AAC. I’m hopeful that access to these resources is helpful as we head into a time of year that is often chock full of IEP meetings!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC goals
April 18, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
It is an honor to have Dr. Joanne Cafiero, an AAC consultant for individuals with complex communication needs and Autism Spectrum Disorders, as a guest contributor for today’s post. Dr. Cafiero is the author of Meaningful Exchanges for People with Autism an Introduction to AAC (2005). She is a consulting editor for Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities and has guest edited several of ASHA’s Perspectives in AAC. She was a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism (2001) and is currently working on an update on AAC and Autism for the Academy. In this post, she shares some of her work on video self-modeling. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Growing research and first-person reports are illuminating the unique sensory and motor differences experienced by people on the Autism Spectrum. This new information has a huge impact on the AAC practitioner. Motor planning differences in ASD can... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
April 17, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
AAC posts you may have missed in your busy week. Monday – PrAACtical Resources: Video Examples of Aided Language Input Wednesday – Visual Immersion Program Thursday – How We Do It: Controlled Practice with Partner Augmented Input
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
April 14, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Today, we welcome back Dr. Jill Senner and Matthew Baud to talk about some of their strategies for implementing AAC. They have some great ideas for helping partners better support AAC learners. You can read some of their previous posts here. In the meantime, let’s see how they are helping communication partners develop their AAC facilitation skills. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Most of us already know that evidence-based research supports the use of partner-augmented input (PAI) as an intervention strategy for individuals who use AAC. However, simply having awareness of a strategy does not mean that one can easily use it. To quote Jim Knight, “We wouldn’t teach someone to drive by giving them a lecture, tossing them a book, and then turning them loose on the freeway.” Indeed, in order to learn a new skill, communication partners often need practice. In fact, one may need to try a new strategy or skill... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: augmented input, classroom, partner training, schools
April 11, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some examples of aided language input in AACtion? Last month, we shared some video explainers of this powerful strategy. In this post, we have a short list of therapists, educators, and families using this key instructional strategy. Lindy McDaniel with a preschool friend Dynamic Therapy Associates in a speech therapy session Communicare examples for playing a game and reading a book Independent Living Centre of Western Australia on ALI in play Gail Van Tatenhove demonstrating in a classroom group activity Dana Nieder reading at home Shelane Nielson at home making goop
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: aided language input