May 7, 2025
by Carole Zangari -
Need ideas for how to support families in implementing AAC at home? In today’s featured video, we learn from Carolyn Parker, an AAC/AT Specialist and SLP with Michigan’s ALT+Shift initiative. Check it out for helpful information and lots of prAACtical ideas. Many thanks to Carolyn, ALT+Shift, and the Michigan Alliance for Families for creating and offering this recorded webinar. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjd9-Ile32k&ab_channel=AltShiftInformation
August 27, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Welcome to Stepping into AAC ! Stepping into AAC is a collaborative project created by PrAACtical AAC and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) that focuses on supporting families who want to integrate AAC into their lives. There are 20 weeks of Stepping into AAC materials, which are intended to provide simple, week-by-week resources to help families support beginning communicators of all ages. Each week, there are easy hands-on activities, videos and companion handouts, and a newsletter to learn from. Thanks to the generous support of the ASF, these materials are available at no charge. Stepping into AAC is designed for families that include: Children, adolescents, and adults who are new to AAC and would benefit from using communication aids with high-frequency words or core vocabulary; and Individuals of any age who previously used AAC but are not currently communicating with it throughout the day. We hope that Stepping into AAC... [Read More...]
July 12, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
When it comes to inspiring families to incorporate AAC into daily life, there’s nothing better than hearing from those who’ve already taken steps in that direction. Today, we view an archived presentation from the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin by Megan Hufton. Join us as we learn about her experience in utilizing visual supports and building an AAC-friendly environment for her children. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BD4h-xze_I&ab_channel=AutismSocietyofSouthCentralWisconsin
March 8, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ways to support families who are strengthening their AAC practices? There’s no one better than Jill Senner and Matt Baud to guide us with research-supported strategies and prAACtical tips. Thank you to Jill, Matt, and the Oregon Technology Access Program ECHO Voices for this informative presentation. You can obtain the handouts for the session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGK0JzjInOg&ab_channel=OTAP-RSOI
November 30, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
How can school-based professionals facilitate AAC use at home? Katie Sample, AAC and AT Specialist with the Louisiana Accessible Educational Materials project, addresses this important issue in today’s featured video. She shares relevant policies and practices in Louisiana as well as practical ideas for supporting AAC at home. Although some of the examples are specific to her state, many of the issues Katie discusses are applicable to those who live in other places. Many thanks to Katie and the Lousiana AEM for making this webinar available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdCWXWRtZT4&ab_channel=LouisianaAEM
April 20, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for a short video to help families new to AAC get started using it at home? In today’s featured video, SLP Liv Meriano of the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation offers concrete suggestions for how to support children with AAC needs at home. Take a look. Many thanks to Liv and the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation for this helpful and engaging video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKffahOXTGo&ab_channel=DSRFCANADA
March 10, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
If you’re looking for ideas for how to support AAC learning at home, today’s post will be a real treat. AAC SLP, Jeanna Antrim, co-author of our TELL ME About It series, created a set of short instructional videos with prAACtical ideas for modeling AAC at home. Kitchen Pantry Garage Bathroom Bedroom & Closet Backyard Backyard Bubbles Backyard Garden In the Sandbox Board Games: Sequence for Kids Board Games: Pop the Pig If you like these wonderful suggestions, check out more from Jeanna: Teachers Pay Teachers Instagram Facebook Twitter
October 22, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Speech-language pathologists who serve individuals with complex communication generally have less time than they’d like to support families in implementing AAC at home. In today’s post, guest author Jesse Kleinman shares her ideas for using functional activities to support AAC learning. As an SLP in Brooklyn New York, she provides in-person and remote therapy to students with AAC needs. Enjoy! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: How I Do It: Functional Ideas for AAC Use at Home During this time, we have all been spending a lot of time at home to stay safe. It has been a trying time in these past couple of months, but as therapists, we are always adapting. As a speech-language pathologist, I was thrown into the world of teletherapy for about 6 months, and I’m now doing a hybrid approach where I see some of my students in person and others remotely. I’ve been seeing a majority of my... [Read More...]
July 27, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Well this is certainly shaping up to be a strange summer. Here in Florida, lots of professionals and families are starting to think about heading back to school whether it is virtual learning or going back into the classroom. Teachers, therapists, and aides play a pivotal role in helping AAC learners develop skills with core vocabulary so that they have a body of words that can be used across activities, environments, and communication partners. There are lots of ‘right’ ways to support these students. Among them is an instructional approach in which a new set of core words is introduced every few weeks in order to build their experiences with AAC. Our Year of Core Words materials has two versions, Set 1 (12 words/month) and Set 2 (16 words/month; Different than the previous year’s core words). If you’ve been following along, or are just getting started, these resources may be of interest. Set 1... [Read More...]
June 25, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
It’s almost July and that gives us an opportunity to turn our attention to an additional set of core vocabulary. Do you know anyone who has access to AAC tools but doesn’t yet use them throughout the day? Keiran has a new AAC app that is well-populated with core vocabulary. Gabbie has had an SGD for a while but doesn’t use it as frequently as her team had hoped. Hudson is transitioning from PECS to an AAC device with more robust language. While different in many ways, each of these learners has a common need: frequent opportunities to learn about and use core vocabulary. To accomplish this, their SLPs, teachers, and families select a dozen or so core words and pay special attention to those each month. That allows them to highlight this small group of words using focused language stimulation, aided language input, and specific activities designed to teach... [Read More...]