Tag Archive: ASD
June 12, 2013
by Robin Parker -
Some thoughts in poem form about communication, technology, and preferences. It humorously illustrates a high priority communication perspective. It was written as part of a learning challenge for a graduate course . It is reprinted with permission from the author Stacy Ganwer. Listen to Me AboutWhat I Need & Want by Stacy Gangwer Would you like my advice? On this device I use it to talk Even when I walk I use it everyday Even when I play I would like it to be small So I can still throw a ball This device needs to be tough Sometimes I’m rough on stuff It would be cool If I could use it by the pool I like things that are easy to learn So it doesn’t have to be returned I don’t have a ton of money So let’s not be funny If it could be cheap I won’t have... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: ASD, assistive technology, autism spectrum disorders, communication
May 6, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
As we’ve said before on this blog, SLPs have great potential to make a difference in the social experiences of people who use AAC by supporting the development of friendships. ASHA’s Better Speech and Hearing Month (#BHSM) gives us a great opportunity to spread awareness that this is an area in which SLPs can make a tremendous difference. We’re so excited to share this Fresh Look post by Dr. Erinn Finke, Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Penn State University. I was recently lucky enough to find myself in conversation with Pat Mirenda, a top researcher in the field of AAC and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In trying to decide what we really “know” about effective AAC strategies for children with ASD, we decided that while there is a lot of research regarding how to use AAC to teach children with ASD to request things, there really is not... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: ASD, Erinn Finke, Fresh Look, Friends, friendship, social skills
April 28, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
What better way to wrap up a busy month of Autism Awareness and Acceptance than by thinking about best practices? We’re please to be able to share a presentation from the 2012 Summer Institute on Neurodevelopmental Disorders at University of California at Davis MIND Institute. Enjoy “Best Practices in Choosing and Using AAC” by Kristen Carroll and Bonnie Mintun.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, best practice, Bonnie Mintun, EBP, Kristen Carroll, MIND Institute
April 21, 2013
by Robin Parker -
We are loving all of the programs that WORK! We love the use of low & high tech supports that facilitate independence. What do you love?
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, iPad, transition, visual supports, work
April 19, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
When I first met our guest blogger almost 20 years ago, she was using more visual supports in her music therapy sessions with kids who had ASD than most SLPs were using in their language therapy. Marlene Sotelo has worn many hats in her professional life, but her passion for helping people with ASD communicate more effectively seems to have permeated all of them. In this post, she discusses some of the ways she uses visual supports to help make music therapy effective. Music is a powerful force that transcends time, cultures, and languages. It can transport you to the past, and bring you hope and excitement for the future. In addition, music can be an effective tool in teaching children with varying abilities. The predictability, rhythmic patterns, and repetitive nature of the structure music lends itself to the development of language, cognitive skills, and motor skills, especially for individuals... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: academics, ASD, choice making, collaboration, Marlene Sotelo, music, music therapy, participation, visual supports
March 31, 2013
by Robin Parker -
This will definitely make you wish everyone had a Mike! Watch this to smile, feel good and to be inspired.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, assistants, employment, microbusiness
March 24, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
In this week’s featured video, we go to the AAC-RERC to get an in-depth look at a systematic approach to visual supports for people with ASD. Howard Shane and Meghan O’Brien explain the basic premise of the Visual Immersion Program’s approach, the communicative functions it is designed to support, and the key principles and procedures. The webcast is broken into three parts, with accompanying slides and transcripts.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, Howard Shane, Meghan O'Brien, VIP, Visual Immersion Program, visual support
February 24, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We’re always looking for great materials to share with colleagues and parents about topics related to AAC. This video by OCALI (the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence) has been one of our favorites. It gives a brief overview of why visual supports are so important in the educational and clinical services provided to individual with ASD and other developmental disabilities.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, clinical rationale, visual supports
February 3, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We are honored to share this talk by the late Dr. Ted Carr, who was a giant in the area of positive behavior support. In this guest lecture, he discusses basic underpinnings in challenging behavior in individuals with ASD and provides his vision of what it will take for major advancements in treatment to occur.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, Challenging Behavior
February 1, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We occasionally get asked to provide empirical supports for some of the AAC tools and strategies used in our clinical work and teaching. Here are five references that we wanted to pass along. Ganz, J.B., Earles-Vollrath, T.L., Heath, A.K., Parker, R.I., Rispoli, M.J., & Duran, J.B. (2012). A meta-analysis of single case research studies on aided augmentative and alternative communication systems with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42,1, 60-74. Systematic review of 24 single subject experimental design (SSED) studies investigated the impact of AAC interventions and concluded that aided AAC interventions had positive effects on communication and behavior skills. Although all picture-based AAC systems were effective, learners did best with SGDs or PECs. Checkley, R., Reidy, L., Chantler, S. Hodge, N., & Holmes, K. (2012). “Black white zebra orange orange”: How children with autism make use of computer-based voice output communication aids in their language... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: ASD, references, research