21 Search Results for covid-19
August 3, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
“I need to prepare my child for nasal swab testing.” “How can I get my students to wear their masks?” “My students don’t wash their hands properly.” “What vocabulary and messages should I add to SGDs for my students to be able to talk about the coronavirus?” “How can I explain social distancing in ways that make sense?” “What can I do to help my students know what to expect from a Zoom session?” If you have questions like these, take some time to browse through this online resource list with over 150 free downloads, videos, and more. We’ve updated this resource quite a bit since it was first published 4 months ago and are re-publishing it for those who need visual supports, social stories, videos, and communication boards. In the online newsletter below, you can access visual schedules for handwashing, social narratives, videos, educational materials, and more by clicking... [Read More...]
March 23, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Today, we turn the reigns over to our friends and colleagues at the Patient-Provider Communication Network. If you work in healthcare or know someone who does, please share these critically important resources. If you know someone who is seriously ill with the coronavirus, make sure they have a means of communication should they have significant speech difficulties or need to be intubated. Everyone else, bookmark the Patient-Provider Communication website for future reference. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: FREE Communication Tools for Patients with COVID-19 When it’s hard to breathe, it can be hard to speak! In light of COVID-related respiratory illness, a greater number of people need breathing tubes or ventilator support, which takes away the ability to speak. Hospitals and healthcare workers need resources to support communication in alternative ways. As a public service, the Patient-Provider Communication Forum, with support from the United States Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC), is providing... [Read More...]
March 16, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
No matter where you live, chances are good that the coronavirus has been on your mind. In today’s post, we share an interactive graphic with many free downloadable resources that can be used to support the AAC learners in your life. You can access visual schedules for handwashing, social narratives, videos, educational materials, and more by clicking the links embedded in the graphic below. Use the slider on the right to navigate up and down, or click the image to go to the full-sized version. This is an evolving resource that will continue to be updated. If you know of things that we should add, please tell us in the comments below. Stay safe and healthy, AAC friends.
July 25, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
If you’ve ever engaged the services of a babysitter, housekeeper, or pet sitter, you can probably relate to the thought and planning that went into those initial interactions. Chances are, a lot of care went into building a trusting relationship as you tried to clearly communicate expectations and explain in detail the processes and procedures they would be undertaking in your absence. Having someone else care for that which we cherish and hold dear, is a big deal. We cover the basics – where the diapers are, how to prepare their food, daily routines – and much more. Favorite toys. What it means when they say/do ___. How to do __ in just the right way. We even provide written backup, like a schedule and a list of contacts. The information we share is critical. We can’t imagine trusting a babysitter we’re meeting for the first time to provide a... [Read More...]
March 31, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
The world seems a little heavier these days, and that serves as a good reminder that many of our clients who use AAC need a bit of extra support. In this edition of Throwback Thursday, we’re reprising a handful of the previous posts that deal with supporting AAC users when they are ill or in distress. 5+ Things to Do to Help AAC Learners Communicate About Illness or Injury Supporting Children in the Pediatric ICU 5 PrAACtical Resources For Better Communication Experiences with Healthcare Providers Free Communication Tools for Patients with COVID-19 “What’s Wrong?” AAC Messages for Negative Emotions and Feelings
May 17, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Today, we welcome back AAC SLP Ashley Larisey to these pages for another post in the AAC in Secondary School series. Ashley is an SLP at Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She is also an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor and Instructor at Saint Xavier University. Additionally, Ashley presents on AAC topics at professional conferences. In today’s post, she shares thoughts on using party planning as an activity for teaching language and AAC skills. Enjoy! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Party Planning If you work in the schools, the end of the school year is right around the corner! The month of May is generally full of celebrations to culminate a year’s worth of hard work for staff and students alike. For high school students, this can also include celebrations surrounding graduation. Parties are often planned by educational staff, but why not bring students into the process? Party planning is full of... [Read More...]
February 10, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
The impact of Covid-19 on people with AAC needs, their families, and service providers has been vast. In today’s featured video, David Niemeijer and Erin Sheldon discuss the impact of the novel pandemic. They explore the many weaknesses it has exposed in the AAC service delivery landscape and offer some possible solutions for addressing these issues. Direct Link to Video – https://vimeo.com/491509316
February 8, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Today, we welcome back AAC SLP Ashley Larisey to these pages for another post in the AAC in Secondary School series. Ashley is an SLP at Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She is also an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor and Instructor at Saint Xavier University. In today’s post, she shares thoughts on being age-respectful in choosing content, activities, and materials for high school students who are learning to use AAC. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Defining Age-Respectful The terms “age-appropriate” and “functional” are terms that come up frequently when working with older learners with complex communication needs and/or significant cognitive impairments. These students are entitled to receive an education that is aligned with the grade level standards in their state. Instruction should respect that these learners are no longer children, but in fact teenagers or young adults. But what do the terms “age-appropriate” and “functional” really mean? How are those terms... [Read More...]
August 10, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
We continue to get requests for content that can help AAC practitioners deliver remote support and are happy to oblige. In today’s post, SLP Emily Diaz shares some videos she created on this topic. Emily is a school-based SLP specializing in AAC. She provides virtual training on the topic of AAC implementation both in the classroom and for teletherapy. In this guest post, Emily shares some of her favorite videos. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Virtual AAC Training: Teletherapy & Distance Learning Edition Whether you are providing synchronous or asynchronous services these virtual AAC training videos are a must have in your distance learning toolbox. Emily Diaz of emilydiazslp.com creates virtual training videos to support SLPs, teachers, and families with AAC implementation. Recently these videos have been focused on teletherapy and distance learning as we all try to restructure services during COVID-19 school closures. Check these out! AAC at Home Your child’s SLP sent... [Read More...]
August 9, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts that you may have missed. Monday – COVID-19 Supports for AAC Users & Service Providers Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Co-Teaching in AAC Thursday – AAC Language Activity Round-up ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Still in the mood to browse? Here are some posts on vocabulary instruction: Thoughts on Teaching Core Vocabulary (with visual support download) Using ‘Sharing Time’ to Focus on Vocabulary AAC Vocabulary Instruction Roundup 5 Things to Do to See If Your Vocabulary Instruction is Effective (And 5 Things to Do If It’s Not)