January 29, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
How can we help communication partners use aided language input to support AAC users? In today’s featured video, SLP Gretchen Storm discusses strategies that can be used in partner training? Many thanks to Gretchen for this presentation and Saltillo for hosting it so that we can all benefit. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBQASNVSfGc&feature=youtu.be
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC partner training, aided language input
January 22, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
One of the most valuable things that AAC interventionists can do is to gain the perspective of people who use AAC on a day-to-day basis. In today’s featured video, AAC user Hannah Foley shares her experiences and perspectives on learning to use AAC. Enjoy! Many thanks to Hannah and PRC-Saltillo for this insightful video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo-F8KVxAUY
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC Acceptance, first person account, PRC-Saltillo
January 15, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
If you work with children with developmental disabilities, you almost certainly have worked with children who have some level of cortical visual impairment (CVI). In today’s featured video, Maren Barros and Kathy Howery team up to help us unpack the complex relationship between cortical visual impairment and complex communication needs. Kudos to Maren and Kathy for this wonderful information. Many thanks to the team at the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium for creating this video and making it available to us all. We are grateful for their support of the AAC community through this archived webinar. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOPqfOYp35Y
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: CVI, vision impairment
January 8, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
While we are incredibly grateful for all of the high tech AAC options that are currently available, there is no denying that no tech and low tech communication tools play an important role in a comprehensive AAC system. Today, we turn to Margaret Cotts, a veteran AT Specialist, for an overview of no and low tech tools. This webinar is made possible by CoughDrop and was originally presented as part of their free, annual conference, AAC in the Cloud. Our thanks to Margaret and the wonderful team for hosting this event and sharing this helpful video. You can find the handout for this session here. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j4a_rk5g9s You can see some of Margaret’s other work here.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: low tech, no tech
December 18, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Dan O’Connor and Bradley Heaven, authors of the website All Access Life, collaborated on this video demonstrating Brad’s use of AAC and how that has changed over time. Watch as they show how using different AAC tools impacts the rate of communication and take a look at how their conversation unfolds when they are both using eye tracking. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVQJaeHEfJA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR06pf-mqqu9BazQKo4mAuJ6GReds1c1kAQmPvfv8IfIr-n0EGw4MNsG4I4
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: access, communication rate, first person account
December 11, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Individuals with Angelman Syndrome often derive great benefit from the use of AAC. In today’s featured video, Rosie Clarke and Livvy Hepburn help us understand some of the key concepts in getting started in using AAC supports and systems. This video was made possible by AngelmanUK (formerly ASSERT). We are grateful to them for making this available. You can see an earlier video on supporting communication in people with Angelman Syndrome. Direct Link to Today’s Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSHWwFDy0lc
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: angelman syndrome, ASSERT, beginning communicator
December 4, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Many PrAACtical AAC readers are using core vocabulary systems in their schools and classrooms, but few have done so consistently for almost a decade. Today, we’re featuring a video from guest authors Kelly Key and Deidre Dobbels who discuss how they have implemented core vocabulary systems and helped their students develop generative language by ensuring that their AAC systems match their individual needs. Their presentation is an archived webinar from the fabulous AAC in the Cloud Conference that is hosted by CoughDrop. We are grateful to Kelly, Deidre, and the CoughDrop team for making and sharing this video. You can obtain the handouts for this session here. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtPIjFiSK8c
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: core vocabulary, individualize
November 27, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
How do you create an AT team and use it to build capacity? In today’s featured video Justin Sims, AT Specialist with the Louisiana AT Initiative, shares his thoughts on this. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIagWOLtS7g
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking, Video of the Week
Tagged With: assistive technology, teaming
November 20, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
We’re really excited to share this wonderful video by Dr. Karen Erickson, Director of the Center for Literacy and Disabilities Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on the critical role of literacy in AAC. This presentation was a keynote session at the International AAC Conference in Leeds (UK) earlier this fall. Many thanks to the International AAC Conference for making this session possible, to Dr. Erickson for this informative presentation, and to Tobii Dynavox for making it available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2bOqen_J2Q
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: Karen Erickson, literacy
November 13, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
The AAC Participation Model, originally developed by Drs. David Beukelman and Pat Mirenda, has been a guiding force in AAC practices for many years. In today’s featured video, we turn to Kelly Fonner, a former teacher and highly experienced AT and education consultant, to share some thoughts about how we can use this to strengthen our plans for AAC implementation. This recorded session was part of the 2019 AAC in the Cloud Conference, which is hosted each spring by CoughDrop. We are grateful to Kelly and to CoughDrop for their generosity in making this session available. You can access Kelly’s handout for this session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO2fXruxk1w
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: implementation ideas, Kelly Fonner, participation model, schools