32 Search Results for toddlers
August 26, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
As one semester ends and a new one begins, we welcome Vicki Haddix back to these pages to share the work of graduate student SLPs who enroll in her AAC classes. Vicki is an AAC SLP and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis. Today, she shares three student projects on a diverse range of topics. We invite you to explore the work of Vicki’s students, SLPs-to-be Shayla Gaffney, Lori Davis, and Abbie Warr. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: When I designed the AAC course, I tried to incorporate elements of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) within the class. One of the elements I’m particularly proud of is allowing the students to choose their own final projects, which are worth 50% of their grade. I give them the following guidelines: Your final project should: Collect information from a variety of sources (i.e.: not only a survey or only research articles); Ground itself... [Read More...]
January 14, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We are occasionally asked how old children have to be before you can begin teaching AAC. Our answer: There is no set minimum age. Nor is there any research evidence that one has to use an oral-language only approach for a set period of time before beginning AAC. Today, we’re delighted to be able to share an article on this topic with you. This article describes a research review in which Branson and Demchak identified a dozen research studies looking specifically at the use of various AAC tools and strategies with infants and toddlers. Data from 190 children up to 36 months of age were examined. Of the 12 studies reviewed, 7 met criteria for having conclusive findings. In 97% of all cases, the children’s communication skills improved. Looking only at the 7 most rigorous studies is even more encouraging: All 135 babies/toddlers demonstrated improved communication skills following AAC intervention.... [Read More...]
December 7, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Tonight is the start of the 8-day celebration of Hanukkah. In recognition of the holiday, we’re sharing some AAC-friendly resources that might be helpful to those who celebrate or are learning about this festival of lights. This treasure trove of resources from Gateways includes symbols for prayers and songs, social narratives, instructions for lighting the menorah, Hanukkah fire safety, games, and activities. Hanukkah Resources Hanukkah Crafts with Visual Directions by Simply Visual Communication Boards for Hanukkah and Christmas for AAC Users by Susan Berkowitz Hanukkah Short Story Comprehension and Retell with Visuals by MollyB SLP Hanukkah Shared Reading | Project & Trace Chart Worksheet by Cooper’s Crayon Box Digital Token Boards FREEBIE (Hanukkah Edition) – BOOM Cards by Speech Bop Hanukkah/Dreidel Classroom Supports by Miss Laidlaw’s Classroom Free Spanish / English “My Hanukkah” Emergent Reader Mini-book by Miss Shibz Hanukkah recipes and books from PreK Pages Silly Hanukkah Joke Tellers... [Read More...]
August 17, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
People with AAC needs face significant challenges in accessing appropriate medical care and getting the help they need to deal with illness, pain, and other symptoms. In today’s edition of Throwback Thursday, we reprise past posts on this topic that may be of interest. Supporting People with Significant Communication Challenges in Medical Encounters PrAACtical Resources: Chronic Pain Assessment in Children with Disabilities Growing AAC Professionals: Resources for Self-Advocacy, Reducing Abandonment, Medical Encounters, & More Pain in Children with Developmental Disabilities PrAACtically SLPs: Working with Children With Complex Medical Conditions Supporting Children in the Pediatric ICU 5 PrAACtical Resources For Better Communication Experiences with Healthcare Providers Growing AAC Professionals: AAC-friendly Classrooms, AAC for Toddlers, & AAC for Healthcare Providers Video of the Week: Equitable Health Access to Health Care for AAC Users
April 10, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Welcome to the next installment of Vicki Clarke’s AAC Implementation Framework. In today’s post, Vicki focuses on the role of the communication partner, with prAACtical ideas for helping them utilize key support strategies that facilitate AAC learning. New to this series? You find the earlier posts using the links below. Steps to Learning Step 1, Determining the Target Step 2: TRAIN ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AAC Implementation Framework Step 3: “Take In” In our journey towards teaching autonomous communication, Step 3: “Take In” is dedicated to the partner’s role, which involves modeling the use of AAC to communicate words and messages in real-world situations. The aim of this stage is to help the student learn when and how to communicate using AAC, as well as to develop a clear understanding of the practical application of these skills by watching their partner’s interactions. This process mirrors the way in which infants and toddlers acquire... [Read More...]
January 9, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
We’re so pleased to welcome PrAACtical AAC contributor Vicki Clarke back to these pages. While you may remember Vicki from her outstanding AAC Assessment Corner posts, her most recent efforts focus on strengthening our AAC practices. Throughout the series, Vicki draws on her experiences supporting AAC users and teams in clinical and school settings and shares prAACtical information that we can all learn from Introduction to AAC 101 Steps to Learning It is no small task to consider how we will help our students progress from communicating only through behaviors to communicating any message they desire independently and spontaneously. In fact, in 1997, Gloria Soto conducted survey research that tells us: Teachers have always believed that communication training for students is positive, and Communication training is a collaborative effort between teachers and SLPs, Despite these beliefs, there is still a prevalent hesitancy to begin to explicitly instruct students in AAC.... [Read More...]
January 8, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. This is a great day for catching up on some AAC reading. Monday – 2023: A PrAACtical New Year Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Incorporating Comprehensive Literacy Instruction into AAC Intervention Thursday – Growing AAC Professionals: A Guide to Voice Banking Friday – CAA Con Links – Enero 2023 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ready for a few more posts to browse? Here’s a sampling that you might enjoy. Does AAC Really Work with Infants and Toddlers? Research Tuesday: Photos Versus PCS – Babies Weigh In AAC & AT Supports in Early Intervention AAC Mythology v2.0: A Few Misconceptions About AAC Intervention A District-wide Core Vocabulary Initiative
December 19, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Yesterday was the start of the 8-day celebration of Hanukkah. In recognition of the holiday, we’re sharing some AAC-friendly resources that might be helpful to those who celebrate or are learning about this festival of lights. This treasure trove of resources from Gateways includes symbols for prayers and songs, social narratives, instructions for lighting the menorah, Hanukkah fire safety, games, and activities. Hanukkah Resources Hanukkah Crafts with Visual Directions by Simply Visual Communication Boards for Hanukkah and Christmas for AAC Users by Susan Berkowitz Hanukkah Short Story Comprehension and Retell with Visuals by MollyB SLP Hanukkah Shared Reading | Project & Trace Chart Worksheet by Cooper’s Crayon Box Digital Token Boards FREEBIE (Hanukkah Edition) – BOOM Cards by Speech Bop Hanukkah/Dreidel Classroom Supports by Miss Laidlaw’s Classroom Free Spanish / English “My Hanukkah” Emergent Reader Mini-book by Miss Shibz Hanukkah recipes and books from PreK Pages Silly Hanukkah Joke Tellers... [Read More...]
March 10, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
For today’s Throwback Thursday, we’re revisiting some posts featuring faculty members and students who are hoping to become AAC professionals in the not-too-distant future. Many of these posts have AAC resources that will be of interest to clinicians, educators, and families. Take a look. Growing AAC Professionals AAC-friendly Classrooms, AAC for Toddlers, & AAC for Healthcare Providers AACessible Literacy: Emergent Literacy Resources for the AAC SLP Resources for Self-Advocacy, Reducing Abandonment, Medical Encounters, & More ALS Communication and Assistive Technology Learning Lab Introducing Middle School Students to AAC Through Project HOPE Resources for Mythbusters A Virtual AAC Camp When Learning Meets Service AAC-friendly Books Learning about Safeguarding Practices AAC Awareness Month Many thanks to Vicki Haddix, Krista Davis, and others who are continually working to educate future generations of AAC professionals.
August 29, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have a few AAC posts for you to explore. Monday – PrAACtical Considerations: An Introduction to Fair Testing Practices in AAC Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Introduction to Literacy for Students with Complex Communication Needs Thursday – Growing AAC Professionals: AAC-friendly Classrooms, AAC for Toddlers, & AAC for Healthcare Providers ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Here are a few more for your browsing pleasure. AAC and Visual Supports for Storms and Hurricanes: 10 Useful Resources How I Do It: Cooking in the Classroom with Carol Goossens’ How I Do It: Conversation Practice with Teens and Young Adults by Angela Adams On AAC Training: Skill Building for AAC Team Members PrAACtical Resources: AAC 101 Flipbook Handout