July 7, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Each month we feature a Spanish version of our AAC Link Up, CAA con Links. If you have AAC-related announcements, materials, or videos in Spanish that you would like others to know about, we’d love to have you add that information below. Also, please share this with anyone who might be interested in contributing to or using the materials that get added to these posts. You’ll find the place to add that information at the very bottom of this post. Organized by Claudia Marimón, these monthly posts also feature AAC work being done in Spanish-speaking countries and offer translations of material that can help families and service providers. Today, she focuses on the topic of Natural Language Acquisition and gestalt language processing. Enjoy the post, and remember to scroll to the bottom to add your link and see what others are sharing. En el campo de la CAA siempre hay... [Read More...]
Filed under: AAC Link Up, Featured Posts
July 3, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
When educationally-based professionals collaborate on improving the communication environment for students who use AAC, everyone benefits. Classroom Observation for Communication Opportunities with AAC (COCOA) is one tool that can be helpful in this process. In the images below, you can see how it might be used for individuals with a significant amount of language and those who are beginning communicators. Scroll to the bottom of the post for a link to download the form. Direct Link to File: https://praacticalaac.org/wp-content/uploads/filebase/assessment/Classroom%20Observation%20for%20Communication%20Opportunities%20with%20AAC%20COCOA.pdf
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 2, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some posts that you might enjoy. Monday – PrAACtically July – AAC Resources for A Year of Core Words Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Supporting Social Connections in AAC Learners Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Writing AAC Goals ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: In the mood for some more AAC browsing? We have a few suggestions for you. 5 Ways to Support Self-Advocacy in AAC Learners How We Do It: Using AAC to Repair Communication Breakdowns PrAACtically SLPs: Hungry for Bilingual AAC 5 Kinds of Pre-stored Messages That Put the AAC Learner in Control PrAACtical Perspectives: Randomness & AAC
Filed under: Featured Posts
June 29, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for information on writing AAC goals? These past posts may be of interest. AAC in School: Classroom Communication Goals Grid – Revised Using Visual Supports for Goal-Setting Conversations Three Ways to Use AAC Goals to Strengthen Implementation PrAACtically Pinteresting with Lauren Enders: Writing AAC Goals and Objectives More PrAACtical AAC Goals That Matter Writing Goals for AAC Learners AAC Goal Writing with Lauren Enders: Laying a Solid Foundation 5 Common Challenges Tools to Support Identification of AAC Learning Targets How I Do It: Writing IEP Goals for Students Who Use AAC with Lauren Enders PrAACtical Suggestions: Writing Goals for People Learning AAC Videos Writing AAC Goals On Writing AAC Goals Ready, Set, Goal Goal Writing for AAC Compliance Is Not the Goal
Filed under: Featured Posts
June 26, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Planning for comprehensive core vocabulary instruction? The Year of Core Vocabulary Words has resources that can be helpful to therapists, educators, and families. We’re reprising a past post for anyone interested in following along and utilizing the resources developed by quite a few people in the AAC community. The initial Year of Core Vocabulary series was based on a small set of core words for each month (see that post here). We followed that with a second set of Year of Core Vocabulary Word resources for a new list of words (click here for that post). Among the many resources are the activity calendars created by AAC SLP and co-founder of Talking AAC, Rachael Langley. Many other contributors over the years added to these efforts. You can access the resources for July words by clicking on the image below. Set 1 & Set 2 Words
Filed under: Featured Posts
June 22, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
June is the perfect month to focus on having a little fun! Check out these past posts on AAC, play, and gaming. AAC in Secondary School: Using Games to Support AAC Learning for Older Students From Solitary Play to Interaction: 5 Things to Try With Kids Who Love Their iPad Games Let’s Play! Using Switch-accessible iPad Games for AAC Learning PrAACtical Resources: Structured Play Groups Building Sentence Length through Conversational Routines & Games 5 Quick and Easy Games That Build AAC Skills 5 Adapted Play Resources for Children with Motor Impairment Make It PrAACtical: DIY Adapted Toys Make It PrAACtical: Modify a Battery-Operated Toy to Make It Accessible by Switches PrAACtical Play: Creating Communication Opportunities with Favorite Toys Balance Pans: A Learning Toy that Helps Build Conversation Skills Video of the Week: Aided Language Input During Play Video of the Week: AAC & Board Games
Filed under: Featured Posts
June 19, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Today we wrap up our series describing an AAC Implementation framework, guest authored by AAC SLP Vicki Clarke. The founder of an AAC-focused private practice, Dynamic Therapy Associates, Vicki is also the Director of DTA Schools. Join us as we explore the results of our efforts in this implementation journey. If you are new to this series you can find the earlier posts through the links below. Steps to Learning Step 1, Determining the Target Step 2: TRAIN Step 3: Take In Step 4: Try It AAC 101: Steps To Learning Step 5: Talk! We have finally reached the finale! Our students are ready to talk. Now by “talk” we of course, mean “communicate using their AAC system, sign language, picture symbols or the communication devices!” We expect our students to now be able to choose what to say, when to say it, and remember how to say it... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 18, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends, and a Happy Father’s Day to those who are celebrating. Here are some posts you might appreciate. Monday – Father’s Day, AAC Style Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Feature Matching in AAC Assessment Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Summertime, AAC Style ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Are you looking for some AACtivity suggestions? Here are a few from past posts. Sometimes I Feel Sunny: AT Recipes for Success from CHoR PrAACtical Supports for AAC Learners: AT Recipes for Success – Sensorimotor Activities Pete the Cat, Rockin’ in My School Shoes: AT Recipes for Success PrAACtical Supports for the Young AAC Learner: Recipes for Success (Bubbles, Cars) PrAACtical Supports for Older Learners: AT Recipes for Success (Computer, Scrapbooking)
Filed under: Featured Posts
June 15, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
It’s almost time for a change in the seasons here in our part of the world. Today, we’re reading into the archives for past posts with a summery bent. Take a look. PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: How Do You Know It’s Summer? A Recipe for Summer AAC Summer Reading A Few AAC Blog Suggestions 5 AAC Suggestions 3 Book Suggestions Apps to Prepare, Learn, & Talk About Summer Vacation Core Words & July 4th: Get Ready, Get Set, Go PrAACtical Summer Activities AAC-friendy Camps
Filed under: Featured Posts
June 12, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Holidays and special occasions are a great time to put communication into AACtion. Since it’s prAACtically Father’s Day, we’re sharing some ideas and materials that may be of interest. Set the stage for success by reading a social narrative about Father’s Day in the week leading up to the holiday. This example from Emily’s World will get you started. Use Talking to Dad Visual Supports/Worksheets by Joel Shaul at Autism Teaching Strategies to create meaningful conversations. Read some books that feature special things about fathers. Here are some suggestions to get you started. My Dad is Amazing I Love Dad with the Very Hungry Caterpillar The Night Before Father’s Day Because I’m Your Dad What Do Dads Do? Verbs, Verbs, Verbs Celebrate with a special book that you write together using these resources. My Super Dad by Miss Hellen’s Hippos. Father’s Day Flip Book by Kaitlynn Albani. Write a... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts