48 Search Results for partner assisted scanning
August 3, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Whether you’re new to AAC or have been engaged with it for a while, it’s always helpful to see demonstrations of AAC tools and strategies. Today, we share a brief but helpful video that combines eye gaze responses with partner assisted scanning. We’re grateful to the Barnsley Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team, which is part of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, for providing such clear, succinct demonstrations. Take a look. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWlrpW5pfZQ&list=PL4X0DrAHPaTFh4_xIOkZRfysopsjjILj3&ab_channel=Barnsleyspeechandlanguagetherapy
April 13, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Partner-assisted scanning is a versatile access strategy that can be extremely beneficial for people with significant motor challenges. In today’s featured video, AAC expert and master clinician John Costello discusses how to use it for spelling and demonstrates this powerful strategy. You can learn more and download a copy of the communication materials here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyBkofHqBkY&t=6s&ab_channel=JohnCostello
November 2, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Developing effective communication systems for individuals with significant motor challenges is a challenging process. Ultimately, the goal is to provide them with tools and strategies that allow them to communicate independently and help them develop the skills needed to say what they wish to throughout their daily life experiences. As we all know, this can be a long journey. And while we work toward systems that allow them to communicate independently, they need access to language and communication now despite their motor limitations. Partner assisted scanning (PAS) is one option that works for many AAC learners. In this post, we feature a video overview of this strategy presented by SLP Maureen Nevers as part of the Communication Training Series by the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and the Foster Family Charitable Foundation, and a video of PAS in action by the Dynamic Learning Maps Professional Development (DLM PD) group under the direction... [Read More...]
August 12, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
Awhile back, we listed a few strategies that seem to be under-utilized in AAC. One of those is partner assisted scanning, a strategy we love for its boundless flexibility. In this week’s video we turn to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Aaron W. Perlman Center. Tune in for a clear description of the strategy and lots of wonderful examples. You can learn more from them here. – –
March 16, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
When someone is unable to point or physically access a communication device, they use some form of alternative access to select the words and messages they want to say. Technological solutions, like switch scanning and eye gaze, are wonderful but there are times when we need an alternative to those alternative access methods. They may be in a recliner or on a hospital examining table, for example, and unable to use their motor skills to run the AAC device. In some instances, the communication partner has to take on the role of scanning through the message options. Partner-assisted scanning (PAS) is a wonderfully flexible strategy that sounds harder than it is. Learn more about it from AAC SLP Dr. Cheri Dodge, of Super Power Speech, in today’s featured video. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7CiYP56oYw&ab_channel=CheriC
August 20, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Some resources to explore…
February 4, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Most of us learn better when we get to see examples of how things are done. In AAC, we don’t have nearly enough examples to learn from so I’m always grateful when someone agrees to show us how they implement particular tools or strategies. Today, we send a big prAACtical “Thank You” to Jack and Mary-Louise in Australia. When children have significant motor limitations, partner-assisted scanning may be their best option for message selection. In this video, Jack and Mary-Louise show us how they use a combination of visual and auditory scanning. Mary-Louise points to choices in his PODD book and says the message aloud so Jack can consider his options. Jack does his part by signaling when he sees/hears a desired message. Because his body is terribly unoccoperative, he signals in a few different ways (i.e., ‘Yes’ with vocalization, eyebrow raises, head nods, &/or eye gaze, and ‘No’ with a... [Read More...]
September 22, 2025
by Carole Zangari -
At the start of the school year, it’s not uncommon to rely on generic manual communication boards with core vocabulary in situations where students with complex communication tools do not yet have access to robust AAC tools. In a perfect world, we’d immediately provide them with more comprehensive tools that align with their needs and priorities. When it takes more time to put that into place, it’s important to take steps to optimize the communication tools these students will use while they are waiting for a more appropriate AAC solution. Here are some thoughts on managing that situation. Generic core boards are usually considered a band-aid and not an acceptable substitute for communication tools that support functional communication or language development. Is it better than nothing? Yes, but let’s be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that, at best, it’s a very temporary fix. Some customization will need to be done... [Read More...]
September 28, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for information on scanning, eye gaze, and other forms of alternative access? Here are some posts from the past that may be of interest. Articles Alternative Access for AAC PrAACtical Research: Improving Accessibility for People with Significant Speech Disabilities Make It PrAACtical: DIY Switch-accessible Scanner AAC Assessment Corner with Vicki Clarke: The Eyes Have It-Assessment Considerations for High Tech Eye Gaze Access Videos Methods of Accessing AAC Systems Stepping Stones to Switch Access, Part 1 Stepping Stones to Switch Access, Part 2 Alternative Access for AT & AAC Deep Dive into the Hardware for iPad Switch Accessibility AAC Access for Individuals with Significant Motor Limitations Through Partner Assisted Scanning Getting Familiar with Partner-Assisted Scanning Partner Assisted Scanning to Spell Messages Partner Assisted Scanning + Eye Gaze Alternative Access for AAC on the iPad
April 20, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
One of the significant changes in the AAC field over the last decade relates to the increased availability of affordable options for accessing SGDs and tablets through eye gaze and eye pointing. Here are some past posts on that topic. Articles PrAACtical Resources: Eye Gaze Set-up and Software PrAACtical Resources: Developing Touchscreen, Switch, and Eye Gaze Skills AACtual Therapy with Shareka Bentham: Navigating Eye Gaze for Beginning Communicators Speak to Me With Your Eyes, My Love Eye love… AAC Assessment Corner with Vicki Clarke: The Eyes Have It-Assessment Considerations for High Tech Eye Gaze Access Videos Getting Started with Eye Gaze SGDs Partner Assisted Scanning + Eye Gaze Methods of Accessing AAC Systems Communication Through Eye Pointing From Switches to Eye Gaze Raising a Child Who Uses Eye Gaze AAC Technology Using an Eyegaze Board Eye Gaze Research Building PVC Stands for Eye Gaze & Tablets