October 18, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
We continue our AAC partner training series, authored by SLP Tabi Jones-Wohleber, with a 60-minute session on presuming potential. In addition to her work with the AT Team for Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland, Tabi serves young children and their families at West Virginia Birth to Three programs. You can see the first 8 modules here. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Model as a MASTER PAL Module 9: Presume Potential Presuming potential is a belief system that influences our words and actions both consciously and unconsciously. As such it cannot be overstated that our words and actions shape the nature and trajectory of opportunities for learning, communicating and engaging for those with whom we interact who use AAC. This module showcases a parent perspective, and utilizes many video examples to invite participants into an honest and reflective conversation on the need to shed assumptions about where an individual’s learning will “max out”. It... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC partner training, presume potential, Tabi Jones-Wohleber
October 16, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Tuesday, AAC friends! Once a week, we invite you to share your own AAC-related content, product news, or anything else that you’d like others in the AAC community to know about. It may be a recent post you’ve written, a slide deck from your AAC presentation, a handout, video, or meme that you’ve posted online, an AAC product you’ve created, an announcement for an AAC camp or conference, or any other prAACtical content you developed and want to share with the AAC community. To post your own link, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and complete the form. Enter the URL and the name/title in the boxes provided below. If you are on a mobile device, click over to the full website version to do this. The AAC Link Up is moderated to keep us from being spammed, so it may take a little while... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC Link Up
October 15, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Supporting language development through well-planned intervention is a favorite topic here, and it is with pleasure that we feature Indiana-based SLP and ATP, Beth Waite-Lafever. Beth is a speech-language pathologist and has RESNA certification in Assistive Technology. She has worked in the field of AAC over the past 30 years in outpatient rehab, private practice, and public schools. Beth is a frequent presenter at national conferences, including ATIA and Closing The Gap, and teaches monthly online courses in implementation and use of speech generating devices. Currently, she is an SLP and Assistive Technology Coach for MSD Martinsville, a school district 30 miles south of Indianapolis and maintains a private practice. In this post, Beth shares her experiences in using the Expanding Expression Tool in language therapy with students who use AAC. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: EET + AAC = OMG! You may have heard of EET; Expanding Expression Tool, a multi-sensory strategy designed by speech-language... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Beth Waite, language therapy, narrative language
October 14, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts you may have missed in your busy week. Monday – More Ideas for AAC Awareness Month 2018 Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Supporting AAC Learners at Home Thursday – Building AAC Facilitation Skills with Tabi Jones-Wohleber: MASTER PAL Training, Module 8 Friday – Building AAC Awareness: Using AAC to Express a Range of Functions :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Is there room for a bit more AAC in your day? If so, take a look at these past posts. Support for Beginning AAC Communicators Narrative Skills in People with ASD Helping People with AAC Needs Develop Personal Narratives Using Animated Shorts in AAC Language Therapy Building Linguistic Competence in AAC Learner: 3 Areas to Consider Targeting :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Looking for some focused information on AAC in the preschool years? We’d love to see you at this full-day workshop at ATIA in Orlando this coming January.... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: ATIA, narrative language, preschool, summary post
October 12, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Most times, the goal of AAC intervention is to help those with complex communication needs be able to express whatever they want at any time. For some individuals, we over-emphasize the tools and strategies they will need to get the things they want, whether it is social engagement (attention), assistance (help), objects, events, or even being able to protest or reject unwanted situations. Michigan-based SLP Rachael Langley works tirelessly to support technologies and services that give access to the full range to communicative functions. When she offered to share her thoughts on this topic with us, we jumped on the chance. Enjoy! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Four Functions of Language There are many ways to emphasize AAC use and embed aided language into the day. Sometimes we use a core vocabulary approach to teach specific vocabulary. But we can also approach AAC learning by focusing on a specific function or pragmatic use of language.... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: beyond requesting, communicative functions, Rachael Langley
October 11, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Our AAC Training Series continues today and we remain extremely appreciative that West Virginia based SLP Tabi Jones-Wohleber allows us to share these presentation materials. Today’s training materials center on a topic that will help AAC interventionists strengthen their relationships with AAC learners and provide important language learning opportunities at the same time. This module, Response NOT Required, is all about interactions that engage our learners and invite them into the conversation. The instructional time for Module 8 is about 20 minutes so this can feasibly be shared in a formal or informal sharing session before or after the school day. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Model as a MASTER PAL Module 8: Response NOT Required Facilitator Guidelines When I talk about modeling without expectation of a response, I often get quizzical sideways glances. It is not an intuitive way of interacting, especially in an educational environment where responding is inherent in classroom... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC partner training
October 8, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
AAC Awareness Month continues! It’s exciting to see how families and professionals around the world are hosting events (see our suggestions here) and doing all sorts of informal activities to build awareness of AAC. In today’s post, we share a variety of materials that can be printed and/or shared. Print and display an AAC Poster. From CoughDrop: Keys to Modeling From Rachael Langley: Subway Art From Lauren Enders: AAC Do/Do Not From Kate Ahern: The Periodic Table of AAC From Noodle Nook: 5 Tips for Communicating with Nonverbal Students From Scope: Speak Up and Be Safe From PrAACtical AAC: More Teaching, Less Testing Share handouts Print, hang, or give someone an AAC awareness image 10 Commandments of AAC Devices Hanen Center: Tips for Parents of Children Who Communicate Without Words Susan Berkowitz: Partner Strategies for Augmentative Communication Scope: AAC Strategies in Healthcare Settings Have fun with AAC memes created by a variety... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: #AACaware18, AAC Awareness Month, downloads, Facebook
October 7, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends! Here are some posts from the first week of AAC Awareness Month 2018. Take a look. Monday – Celebrating AAC Awareness Month 2018 Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: The SLP’s Role in Cortical Visual Impairment Thursday – Building AAC Facilitation Skills with Tabi Jones-Wohleber: MASTER PAL Training, Module 7 Friday – PrAACtical Alert: Updated List of AAC App Discounts ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Can you squeeze in another AAC post or two? Here are a few suggestions. Using Structure to Minimize Behavioral Challenges Understanding Functional Communication Training PrAACtical Thoughts on Challenging Behavior and Emotional Regulation Parent-implemented Intervention for Challenging Behavior Ready/Not Ready: 5 Visual Supports for AAC Learners
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Challenging Behavior, summary post
October 5, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
In the market for some AAC apps to round out your assessment or intervention toolkit? Take advantage of the deep discounts offered in support of AAC Awareness Month. Take a look. AssistiveWare Avaz AAC CommBoards Cough Drop LAMP Words for Life Saltillo Snap + Core First Speak for Yourself Therapy Box We’ll continue to update this with new information on AAC Awareness discounts over the next few weeks. Do you have suggestions for others to add to our list? We’d love to have your suggestions for #AACaware18. Many thanks to the amazing Lauren Enders for this wonderful graphic with even more AAC discounts!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC apps
October 4, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Welcome back to our AAC partner training series, Model as a MASTER PAL, created by SLP Tabi Jones-Wohleber. Today, we continue with materials to help communication partners interact with AAC learners in a supportive fashion. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Model as a MASTER PAL Module 7: Engage Naturally Facilitator Guidelines This module covers a lot of territory. From the behaviors of communication partners that support the process of language development to creating communication opportunities, to the language we use with a child to talk about their device, to fostering communicative competence, naturalistic engagement is shaped in many ways. The importance of this conversation lies in the fact that genuine engagement and mutual respect are where learning happens. It is also how meaningful social relationships are built. This module invites participants to reflect on factors that shape the quality of interactions in order to maximize the potential for communicating, learning and creating meaningful social,... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC partner training, professional development, Tabi Jones-Wohleber