Tag Archive: feature match
September 20, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
We’ve posted many times on the topic of AAC assessment and selecting the right AAC tools through the feature match process. In today’s featured video, Justin Sims from the Louisiana AT Initiative shares his thoughts on selecting AAC apps. Many thanks to Justin and the wonderful team at LATI for making this available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HrkCqOw9zg
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC apps, device selection, feature match
December 12, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Professionals who are involved in the selection of AAC and other AT are quite familiar with the concept of determining what features are needed and then selecting tools that have those features to sample. The feature matching process has been the gold standard for AAC device selection , though many practictioners report that its implementation may not be robust. Determining exactly which features an individual might need in their AAC or other AT is a critical part of this process, and one with which many teams struggle. In today’s post, we highlight an online resource designed to make this process easier for school-based teams. The Student Inventory for Technology Supports (SIFTS) is a free, web-based survey tool that helps teams match the needs and abilities of a student to specific AT features. It is not a comprehensive assessment tool but provides guidance to help teams in the process of AAC... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment, AT, feature match, schools
April 26, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Isn’t it amazing how sophisticated some of the SGDs and AAC apps have become? We all realize the importance of looking at their features and making selections based on assessment information and data from trial periods. Beyond that, there are features that are important to us as interventionists. Here are some to look for as you explore AAC apps and traditional SGDs. Data collection: The history feature is very helpful, but many high tech SGDs and AAC apps can be configured to gather additional data that we can use for a variety of purposes. Busy professionals appreciate this information and can use it in their assessments and goal-setting. Data analysis: A few AAC software programs and apps even help us make sense of the data that is gathered. This allows us to adjust our therapy and support plans to better meet the needs of our clients. Easy and reliable back-up:... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC app, feature match, SGD, the fives
March 17, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Today, we welcome back Vicki Clarke, a regular contributor to PrAACtical AAC, with another edition of AAC Assessment Corner. In this post, Vicki shares her thoughts on feature matching for AAC device selection. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Feature matching has been the gold standard for AAC evaluation for the last 20 years. It is research based and clinically proven as the best technique for selecting an AAC solution for an individual. The tide of real-life practice, however, is turning and there has been increasing discussion at conferences, in social media and blogs questioning why we continue to use feature matching to place AAC systems in the hands of students. In a recent assistive technology on-line chat, a noted AT specialist remarked: “I wonder if at a district level it might not be better to have a go-to AAC system everyone tries first. If that doesn’t work then adjust.” Does this mean that we throw... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment, feature match
February 25, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
AAC assessment is a challenge in almost every service delivery setting, and many of you have reached out to us to ask for advice on how to strengthen your assessment practices. Luckily, Vicki Clarke, an AAC Chick who has a great deal of experience assessing learners in clinical and educational settings, has tips and resources to share. In this continuation of the AAC Assessment Corner series, Vicki talks about a key feature in any AAC system: vocabulary organization. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Thinking Inside the Box for AAC Evaluations: What Type of Vocabulary Organization is Right For Your AAC User? Professionals often spend a great deal of time concerning themselves with which box they should get their AAC user. Should I pick a Prentke Romich or a Tobii Dynavox? But what about the iPad? And what about the money? Should I pick a CheapTalk or a GoTalk instead? Here’s the good news: The box is not the... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment, feature match, language organization
December 26, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Today, we head to Oklahoma for a chart that comes in handy when comparing SGDs during the feature match process. I especially love the distinction between features on the ‘Must Have’ list and those on the ‘Wish List.’ Thanks to the Oklahoma AT Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center for this helpful resource!
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment, device selection, feature match, Oklahoma AT Center, SGD
June 8, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
On my recent trip to Australia for the ILT2014 conference, I had a chance to spend more time learning more about the AAC Ferret, with the help of SLPs Charlene Cullen and Amanda Hartmann. Beneath the cute name and image is a a ton of information and an easy-to-use format that help SLPs in selecting AAC apps that meet the needs of an individual. If you use the feature match process in your evaluation (and we hope you do), you’ll be happy to know that this app can aid in identifying AAC apps by feature. SLP Katie Lyon explains some of the features of this helpful tool. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3tjv7AZPQ
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC Ferret, feature match, Katie Lyons
August 23, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
Well, the school year is all of 3 days old and already we’ve had plenty of questions about AAC apps. Sigh. We’ve had our ups and downs with AAC on mobile devices, but there is no sense rehashing all of that here. Instead, we’ll focus on some of the tools we use when helping to determine which, if any, are a good fit for a particular communicator. AAC App Lists: Comprehensive AAC app list for iPhone and iPad by Jane Farrall Feature Match Checklists & Forms: Jessica Gosnell at Boston Children’s Hospital Scott Marfilius and Kelly Fonner Our Rubric for Evaluating the Language Aspects of the AAC App RELAACs Other Helpful Sources Scoop.It collection and Pinterest boards with AAC app sites and videos OCALI’s listing of apps for individuals with ASD Tech Connect’s Apps Assistant The App Academy’s site for app training videos
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Apps, assessment, checklist, feature match, resources, rubric
July 10, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
We’re back again with an updated list of free and lite versions of AAC apps that includes many additions for the Android platform. As in the past, we’re including some additional resources and excerpts from previous posts related to AAC app selection and the larger context of AAC assessment. We’ve appreciated the feedback on first draft of RELAAACs, our attempt to quantify some of what we look for when we try to compare AAC apps based on their language and communication features, and continue to welcome your suggestions. We do have plans to revise and update this once we get through the summer semester. (The trimester system is a killer!) —————————————————————————————————– – Thanks to all who’ve given us great feedback and suggestions on our list of free and lite AAC apps. If you’ve been following our blog, you know that we have mixed feelings about the AAC app revolution. More specifically, we’ve... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Android, Apps, assessment, checklist, feature match, free, iOS, resources, rubric, trial period
June 15, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. Charles Darwin – SLPs everywhere are struggling with the game-changing explosion of AAC apps on mobile devices. We’ve mentioned our own internal conflict in previous posts and continue to mull over how best to integrate this into our work as clinical educators without jeopardizing the assessment and intervention principles that have served us so well over the years. We’ve really appreciated the fine work of professionals such as Jessica Gosnell at Boston Children’s Hospital, Scott Marfilius, and Kelly Fonner, and have put their feature match checklists to good use. As we did, we found that we wanted a more systematic way to consider the language and communication of the AAC apps that we were learning about. – This post introduces you to an early draft of RELAAACs: Rubric for Evaluating the... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Apps, assessment, feature match, rubric