Video of the Week: Realizing the Power of Data Logging

October 24, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts


Got data? One of the interesting developments in AAC technologies over the past 5 years has been the increased availability of data collection features in SGDs and tools for analysis. From deciding what language skills to target in therapy to determine what, if any, changes to make to the language set-up, having good data is indispensable. Today, we return to learn from Saltillo’s webinar series about some of the ways to use data logging. Many thanks to the presenter, Amanda Hettenhausen, and Saltillo for making this video available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sRxNIsLboM

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Video of the Week: Systematic AAC Instruction for Adults

October 17, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Systematic AAC Instruction for Adults

While high-quality services for children with complex communication needs can be difficult to obtain, there is no doubt that it accessing appropriate AAC supports is infinitely more difficult for adults who need these services. Today, we return to the wonderful webinar series presented by USSAAC and hosted by ISAAC for some valuable information on a systematic approach to teaching AAC to adults with cognitive communication difficulties. Oregon-based SLP Aimee Mooney shares important principles and practical strategies that can help adults with AAC needs to be successful. We are grateful to Ms. Mooney, USSAAC, and ISAAC for making this information available to the AAC community. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z53lD-n5OeA

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Video of the Week: Supporting AAC Learners at Home

October 10, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Supporting AAC Learners at Home

We ’re headed up to the clouds today, with another visit to the wonderful presentations made possible by CoughDrop AAC, a company that has been innovating from the start. Their free AAC in the Cloud conference, held each June, not only serves as an amazing source of support for the AAC community but has also served as a model for others who have the capacity to provide free online professional development in AAC. In today’s featured video, Erin Sheldon addresses a topic near and dear to our prAACtical hearts: Helping families support their AAC learners. Enjoy this session and if you’re interested in more on this and related topics, check out these posts featuring other work by AAC parent and professional Erin Sheldon here. You can obtain the handout for this session here or visit the conference page on this session here for more information. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ocbBdEy4V4

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Video of the Week: The SLPs Role in Cortical Visual Impairment

October 3, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: The SLPs Role in Cortical Visual Impairment

Looking to strengthen your understanding of cortical visual impairment (CVI), specifically as it relates to the role of the SLP? Today, we turn to the Perkins School for the Blind to view a video that is part of their e-learning series. SLP Jenna Friedman reviews some important characteristics of children with CVI and their implications for our assessment and therapy. While you’re there, don’t forget to download the handout for this session and the resource document on phases of CVI.

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Video of the Week: AT and Virtual Reality

September 26, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: AT and Virtual Reality

What role can augmented reality and/or virtual reality technologies play in the lives of people with assistive technology needs? Today, we hear from Jaclyn Wickham, an educational technology specialist, discuss some ways that these new technologies can support learners with disabilities. Many thanks to Ms. Wickham for this helpful video and for the Center for Technology and Disability (CTD) for hosting it and making it available.  You can download the handout for this presentation here or directly from the CTD webinar page. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyO8qcmTiwU

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Video of the Week: Integrating AAC into the Classroom

September 12, 2018 by - 2 Comments


Video of the Week: Integrating AAC into the Classroom

Here in the US, we’ve been back in school for a while and that makes it a good time to reflect on ways to integrate AAC into the classroom. Today’s video by Megan Conover as part of Saltillo’s webinar series. In this session, she covers some basic strategies that adults can use to help beginning AAC learners be successful in the classroom. Many thanks to Saltillo and Ms. Conover for creating, hosting, and sharing this archived presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bErjT5zi_9s

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Video of the Week: Strategies for Helping Early AAC Users Engage and Interact

September 5, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Strategies for Helping Early AAC Users Engage and Interact

“He has an AAC device but he doesn’t use it much.” “I have great toys but she doesn’t seem to like any of them.” “How can I build language if he doesn’t want to interact with me?” “The only time she uses her SGD is to ask for things.” Connecting with clients who are beginning to use AAC and helping them use their communication tools is a challenge in some clinical and educational settings. Today, we revisit a session from CoughDrop’s 2nd Annual AAC in the Cloud conference held last spring, to get some prAACtical advice about building engagement and interaction. In our featured video, SLP Chana Feinstein of All Kinds of Voices provides concrete suggestions that will help our beginning communicators want to communicate and use their AAC devices for a variety of purposes. We are grateful to CoughDrop for hosting this wonderful conference and allowing us all to... [Read More...]

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Video of the Week: Addressing the Social, Communication, and Behavioral Needs of  Secondary Students with ASD using Visual Supports

August 29, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Addressing the Social, Communication, and Behavioral Needs of  Secondary Students with ASD using Visual Supports

Looking for ways to better support older students with autism and related disabilities? Stay tuned because Kate Love, Autism Specialist with the Colorado Department of Education, has practical suggestions that may be of interest. The Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) of Kansas generously shares this along with a number of other wonderful resources. In this video, Ms. Love discusses several ways to implement research-supported strategies, including visual supports, with students in middle and high school. You can download the handout for this presentation using the link below or by clicking here. Direct Link to Video: https://www.ksdetasn.org/resources/793

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Video of the Week: AAC on the Move

August 22, 2018 by - 1 Comment


Video of the Week: AAC on the Move

By bus, train, or subway, people with AAC needs have places to go and things to do. Today’s video features a successful effort in Victoria, Australia to provide communication access in public life. In this video, we see an example of how transportation agencies worked with Scope’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre to better meet the communication needs of people who use AAC. You can read more about their Communication Access program here. Many thanks to Scope, Public Transport Victoria, V/Line, and ISAAC for making this video available. It is sure to inspire similar efforts throughout the world. You can download some of the communication materials here. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TELuzDlgqo

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