January 15, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
It is so encouraging to see so many SLPs, educators, families, and others support the acquisition of core vocabulary. In this post, we’re thrilled to be sharing a resource by Alison Wade, an SLP from Massachusetts who works with a number of AAC-using children and adults. Alison generously offered to share this document with our 2013 set of January core words represented by PCS, SymbolStix, and traditional orthography. You can download it by clicking the image below or visiting the Download section of our eToolbox. Need ideas for how to use it? Check out our previous post. Thanks, Alison!
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Alison Wade, core vocabulary, PCS, Symbol Stix
January 13, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
It’s a new year and that makes it a great time to explore some new AAC apps. We’re checking out some of the features of Communicate Easy. Join us! Product Overview Features and Tutorials Where to Go For Help and Contact page
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Communicate Easy, Teach Me Tuesday
January 12, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Video modeling is an empirically supported instructional strategy that can help some learners acquire and use a range of new skills. It involves videotaping the expected or desired behavior so that our clients can see, hear, and better understand the skills they are trying to learn. We’ve posted videos about it in the past and know that many of you use it or have considered using it in your clinical practice. Most of the applications have been with speaking children and young adults, but many AAC learners can benefit as well. If you’re thinking of trying out this strategy in your own practice, here are some resources that might be helpful. In a nutshell: Visit the National Center for Professional Development on Autism to review the EBP practice brief on video modeling. Their documents are great for sharing with families and other team members, too. Getting started: Visit Dr. Christine Reeve’s... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: intervention, video modeling, video self modeling
January 11, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Monday: PrAACtically Reading – Where’s Spot with Karen Natoci Tuesday: Strengthening the Core – Modeling January Words Wednesday: Video of the Week – A Recipe For Friendship Thursday: 4 Conference Presentations with AAC Content
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
January 8, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Travel budgets are limited these days and we can’t always get to the conferences we’d love to attend. In case that happens to you, too, here are some presentation handouts on AAC-related topics from ISAAC 2014, ASHA 2014 and other conferences. Gloria Soto, Dan Phillips, and Michaela Sullivan on Strategies for SLPs Working With Students With AAC Needs in Schools Gretchen Hanser on Writing for Students with Angelman Syndrome Penny Hatch and Allison Dennis on Getting to the Core: Creating a Core Vocabulary for the Common Core Amy Wetherby on the trajectory of development for toddlers with developmental disabilities
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Conference, handouts
January 6, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some ways to help your AAC learners become more competent in using core words? Here’s an approach you may want to try: Keep it manageable by choosing only a dozen or two core words to focus on each month. In previous years, we shared lists of some core words to help you do just that. 2013: A Year of Core (12 words/month) 2014: A(nother) Year of Core (16 words/month; Note: These are different than the core words covered in 2013) Those posts have links to downloadable grids with the core words for each month that can be used as a focal point for lesson planning. Rather than introducing new words at this point, let’s take some time to strengthen our core by modeling the words in everyday interactions. Here are some suggested phrases, sentences, and questions for each of the core words from our 2013 list. Click on the... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: vocabulary
January 5, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
New years bring new opportunities. Today, we welcome back Karen Natoci, but this time in a new role. Karen will be doing a monthly post sharing ideas for interactive book reading with children who use AAC. In her first PrAACtically Reading post, Karen explains how she used book reading to build language and literacy skills. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: We had a wonderful time reading Where’s Spot? By Eric Hill. I had both the “big book” and a small, cardboard book. Most all of the pages contain a predictable line: “no!” Since many of my students were learning to say “yes/no” it seemed like a great way to practice this skill as part of SHARED READING. The important part is that everyone in the classroom had access to some form of AAC, including the staff. So, while I was reading the story, I paused and the whole class responded together by using their AAC... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: core vocabulary, Karen Natoci, PrAACtically Reading, shared reading, shared writing, Where's Spot
January 4, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Sunday: Video of the Week – Thoughts on Functional Communication Teaching Monday: I Have A Lot to Say Tuesday: Teach Me Tuesday – PCEye Go from Tobii Wednesday: Watch It Wednesday – Viva La Evidence! Thursday: Happy New Year!
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
January 1, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
December 31, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
“A 21st century clinician who cannot critically read a study is as unprepared as one who cannot take blood pressure or examine the cardiovascular system.” What better way to end one year and usher in the new, than a reminder of the role of scientific study in our profession? In AAC, there isn’t as much research as we would like, but we sure do need to make it our business to evaluate and use the empirical evidence that we do have. P.S. We like Coldplay a little more now. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Glasziou, P., Burls, A.,& Gilbert, R. (2008). Evidence based medicine and the medical curriculum: The search engine is now as essential as the stethoscope. The BMJ, 337, 704. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUW0Q8tXVUc
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Coldplay, EBP, evidence, research