Monday – The Crust of AAC Tuesday – Boosting AAC Implementation in the Classroom: 6 Things to Try Wednesday – Video of the Week: Uniquely Human by Dr. Barry Prizant Thursday – AAC Teamwork: Encouraging Colleagues – PrAACtical Tool #1
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Do you feel it? Something really important is happening in schools across the world. AAC implementation is getting stronger! SLPs, educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, AT specialists, OTs, and families are doing their best to support students with AAC needs. It isn’t easy, though. To keep things moving in the right direction, we have to continue to recognize and support one another. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing tips and tools to do just that. To get the ball rolling, here’s a printable that can be used as a bookmark or tag. Print both pages, assemble them front-to-back, and laminate. Share them with colleagues and families who are with you on this journey to acknowledge their efforts, celebrate their successes, and empower them as advocates. You can download them here or visit the AAC eToolbox and peruse the Downloads section.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC team, bookmark, colleagues, teaming
Classrooms are busy places, and sometimes the AAC gets lost in the hustle and bustle. If you’re interested in boosting AAC use during the school day, here are some things to try. Co-teach or teach a lesson: Think it’s easy to model AAC and elicit it at the same time you’re providing whole class or small group instruction? Try it. Better yet, make teaching a co-teaching a lesson in the classroom part of your regular service delivery schedule. It’s scary at first, but hang in there. You’ll gain valuable information about what it takes to make AAC successful under real-world conditions, and gain credibility with the rest of the team. Offer support: “What can I do to make it easier for classroom staff to implement the AAC strategies?” “Ms. Aide, how can I help you use the device more when you talk to Shayna?” Make the data available to everyone... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
The crust is essential but the toppings are so much fun! Who’s hungry?
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Monday – 3 Things to Consider in Implementing Core Vocabulary Tuesday – PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: I Like Myself Wednesday – Video of the Week: Every Second Counts with Lindy McDaniel Thursday – Site of the Month: TASN
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
August’s Site of the Month is chock full of resources for professionals and families working with individuals who have ASD. The Kansas Autism Spectrum Disorders website is maintained by the TASN Autism and Tertiary Behavior Supports. Among the highlights: Over 150 social narratives Downloadable materials for communication 50+ classroom resources, including data forms, visual supports, and more Summary sheets on things like The Incredible 5-point Scale, motivational assessments, and reinforcer preference assessments. Dozens of examples of visual tasks A wide variety of archived webinars Hope you enjoy exploring this site!
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Site of the Month, TASN
Karen Natoci is back with some wonderful ideas for building AAC skills using the book, I Like Myself. Check out her lesson plan and suggestions for some prAACtical reading ::::::::::::::::::::::: Book: I Like Myself!, by Karen Beaumont; Illustrated by David Catrow (Scholastic Inc.) Core Vocabulary focus: I, WANT, LIKE, ME/MY, SAME, DIFFERENT, GO, IN, DO, Fringe Vocabulary focus- Body Parts: eyes, ears, nose, fingers, toes, head, Opposites Vocabulary use: wild/tame, fast/slow, Core Vocabulary focus: I, LIKE, ME/MY, Fringe Vocabulary focus- Abstract VERBS: Think, say, COMMUNICATION Matrix (Rowland, 2009) Level: I-VII ——————————————————————– School is just around the corner and the planning begins! Our school year started in mid July. During the first two weeks, we decided to focus on the shared reading of: I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont. This book is thoughtful, has great rhyme and rhythm, and is illustrated beautifully. It is a great way to think about the... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Karen Natoci, reading
The power of core vocabulary is only realized when AAC is being utilized throughout the day. A key benefit of having core words on an AAC system is that they apply to any situation, in any location, with any communication partners. But unless we’re actually teaching and using the AAC under those conditions, we haven’t really tapped into the power that they offer. It would be like upgrading to a powerful ‘gamer’ laptop, then just using it to check email. Core vocabulary is a powerful concept, but it only becomes a powerful tool when it gets used throughout the day by anyone who speaks to the learner. It may take some time to get there, but it’s critical that we keep striving for this. Otherwise, we’re checking email on a super-charged computer. While powerful, core words can’t do everything. AAC learners also need words that reflect their own lives and... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: implementation ideas
Monday – PrAACtically August: A Core Word Calendar Tuesday – AAC Therapy: When the Lesson Plan Fails Wednesday – Video of the Week: Building Engagement in Young Children with Autism Thursday – How I Do it: AAC Inservices by Tabi Jones-Wohleber
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Many SLPs involved in AAC service provision are called upon to provide inservice training on implementation strategies. In this post, we are very fortunate to have Tabi Jones-Wohleber back to share both her thoughts and training materials. Tabi, an SLP on the AT Team for Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland, wrote two previous posts for us. In those posts, Tabi shared her All-in-One Visual Support Tool and Classroom CORE Tool. Today, we hear about her experiences with professional development for teachers, aides, and therapists who serve students with AAC needs. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Implementing AAC: A Picture…AND…A Purpose As I work with staff and students to support implementation of AAC, I’ve learned 2 important things about making it work: 1) Folks need to know what it looks like “in their classroom/life” AND 2) effective implementation does not emerge from directives, but rather evolves from understanding, engagement and ownership of the WHAT... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: classroom, inservice, professional development, Tabi Jones-Wohleber, Training