455 Search Results for autism
March 30, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Twice a year, AAC and AT specialist Lauren Enders Gonzales works with a variety of AAC vendors to highlight the deep discounts that they offer each April and October. If you click on the graphic below, you’ll be able to download a version that has hyperlinks to each vendor. Many thanks to Lauren and all of the participating AAC vendors! You can download a screen reader-friendly version here. About the Contributor Lauren Enders, Gonzales MA, CCC-SLP is a licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist working as a school-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant for Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She has had a passion for using AAC and other forms of assistive technology to support students with complex communication needs and complex bodies since she began her career in 1995. Lauren presents regularly at national conferences, including Closing the Gap, ATIA,... [Read More...]
April 4, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
What began in 1970 as a day to raise public awareness of autism has evolved to focus on building acceptance and support of autistic people. Support comes in many ways, of course. Teachers, therapists, and parents, can and do support autistic children and adults in a multitude of ways based on their individual priorities, strengths, and needs. But that’s not all we can do. Among other things, professionals can support autistic individuals by: Learning from them through watching their videos and attending their presentations, as well as by reading their books, articles, and posts; Purchasing things they create; Bringing attention to their work on social media; Contributing to their crowd-sourced efforts (e.g., Patreon, GoFundMe), and Hiring them to speak, consult, write, etc. Today, we open our pages to all of you in an effort to raise awareness of autistic individuals who are creators, presenters, authors, mentors, and consultants. Share what... [Read More...]
March 25, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Looking to purchase some AAC and related apps? Longtime PrAACtical AAC friend Lauren Enders is continuing her tradition of compiling information from AAC app developers and others who offer deep discounts for Autism Acceptance Month. With April just around the corner, you might want to mark your calendars with dates for any planned purchases. Those of you who run large AAC or AT programs, take note of the discounts for Apple’s Volume Purchase Program. You can click on the image below (or here) to access an interactive version of this graphic. That version has clickable hotspots to allow for easier navigation to each company’s website for those who want more information or to purchase the product. Thank you, Lauren, for this wonderful act of service to the AAC field. Note: This may be updated with additional discounts over the next week or so.
April 1, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ways to celebrate Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in ways that honor people with autism spectrum disorders? Here are a few suggestions. Get flappy with Julia and Abby from Sesame Street. Check out some new autistic YouTubers to follow. Focus on safety. Help families affected by autism take preventative action with this helpful kit. Attend, create, or volunteer at an event that is accepting of people with neurological differences. I’m a huge fan of The Friendship Journey and their Wings of Friendship Virtual Camp and Virtual Hangouts. Read autistic authors, like Alyssa Hillary Zisk, who also wrote a guest post here. You can get access to one of their recent works, AAC for Speaking Autistic Adults: Overview and Recommendations, co-authored with Elizabeth Dalton. Learn more about what makes a narrative a social story or comic book conversation as opposed to something else by reviewing the guidelines for sentence types... [Read More...]
April 1, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
In honor of World Autism Day, enjoy this video by SLP and AT Specialist Lauren Williams about supporting communication among people with ASD. Sign-in may be required. Direct Link to Video – https://media.edweb.net/edWebinar/?view=20200312edweb7
May 15, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
How can we help individuals on the autism spectrum who have significant challenges with communication? In today’s featured video, Melissa Subock shares her thoughts on AAC implementation for learners with autism. You can download the handout for this archived presentation here. Thanks to Melissa and the Sharing Treatment and Autism Resources (STAR) Parent Training Program at Kennedy Krieger Institute for making this video available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmLp4ympnc4
April 15, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Since we’re mid-way through Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, it seemed like a good time to share some additional resources and ideas. Explore the Autism Kit for Kids by the Organization for Autism Research: What’s Up with Nick video, lesson plan, poster, and more. Attend a sensory-friendly event at a museum, movie theater, etc., or create your own using these suggestions from Sesame Street. Find a suitable book about autism and get reading! There are a number of book suggestions here. Check out the Choose Kindness: Autism Awareness Mini-Lessons by Autism NJ. Watch a TV show or video with positive messages about autism using suggestions from Reading Rockets. Have you been spreading the autism acceptance message this month? We’d love to hear about it.
April 1, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
What does Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month mean to you? From where I sit, it is a personal challenge to learn more about the lived experiences of autistic people and discover the most impactful ways to support communication learning and quality of life. Our understanding of what autism is and how we can help autistic people have a rich, fulfilling, self-directed lives is evolving. Even if you’ve worked with autistic people for a long time, chances are that there are still many more things to learn. Here are some ideas for things to do in honor of people with autism. Take advantage of the deep discounts offered by many AAC app developers and share this information with those who might benefit from it. AAC Specialist and SLP Lauren Enders does a wonderful service to the AAC community by tracking the app discounts in the US app store and sharing that... [Read More...]
December 19, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Along with special foods, decorations, and gifts, the holiday season brings changes in our daily routines that can cause anxiety and other challenges for some people with AAC needs. In today’s featured video, Peggy Lawrence addresses why these challenges may occur in students with autism, and presents strategies we can use to provide instruction and support. This archived presentation is available through the Tri-State ASD Webinar Series, which receives support from the Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN), the Nebraska Autism Spectrum Disorders Network, and the Colorado Department of Education. You can explore more offerings from this collaborative here. Direct link to “Preparing for Non-Routine Events: Strategies to Support Students with ASD”
June 28, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
We’re so pleased to welcome back Dr. Carol Goossens’, an AAC pioneer who is an internationally-recognized consultant, SLP, and Special Educator from New York. Throughout her career, she has consulted extensively in a variety of classrooms serving the full spectrum of children with special needs. Dr. Goossens’ has presented both nationally and internationally about her collaborative work with teachers, therapists, and families. In today’s post, she shares a treasure trove of ideas on using wearable AAC. Learn more about her approach to using vest displays in this extensive post. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Using Vest Displays with Preschoolers on the Autism Spectrum When working with students on the spectrum, we often struggle to gain and maintain their attention, especially during group activities such as Circle Time/Morning Meeting. The songs offered during Circle Time, however, create a great forum for working on a variety of communication skills, e.g., claiming a turn, announcing a song, choosing... [Read More...]