June 29, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Today we learn from a veteran AAC SLP, Lindsey Paden Cargill, who has been working in the field of SLP for 12 years and is passionate about service provision and research in the area of AAC for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to her caseload, she is also the Therapy Manager at a private therapy and education center in Columbus, Ohio called Bridgeway Academy. Lindsey is currently collaborating with The Ohio State University on several AAC-related research studies including an immersive AAC classroom and a parent-training course. AAC Intervention Strategies for Beginning Communicators: Presume Competence and Be the Fun In the last ten years providing energetic, creative and data-driven AAC language therapy has become my passion… or maybe obsession. My mission statement is for anyone interacting with a new AAC user to “presume competence and be the fun.” To accomplish my goals I have to prioritize several things: providing a... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: implementation ideas, intervention strategies, language therapy
June 26, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
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 awhile 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 or practice them. In previous years, we shared lists of some core words to help you do just that. Set 1 (2013:... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: A Year of Core Words, Another Year of Core Words, download
June 25, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Busy week? Here are a couple of posts that you might have missed. Monday: Administratively Speaking: 5 Considerations for Recruiting and Retaining AAC SLPs (Part 2) Wednesday: Video of the Week: Object Symbols and Core Vocabulary And while we’re at it, here are a few throwbacks on topics of prAACtical interest. AAC and Emergent Literacy SMORRES From Solitary Play to Interaction: 5 Things to Try with Kids Who Love Their iPad Games Have a great week!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: summary post
June 19, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Do any of these situations sound familiar? Janelle, an SLP in an urban elementary school, was flustered when the principal directed her to ensure that her students’ AAC devices didn’t go home on weekends or during school breaks. She hated to see the students lose access to communication during those times but, Janelle understood the principal’s logic. The device had been bought and paid for by the school, and they had to scrounge around to find the funding for it. If it were to get damaged or lost, the school would have to replace it, and there were no funds for that. It was unfortunate, Janelle felt, but, what could she do? Later in the year, when the results of a system-wide audit came out, Janelle’s students were some of the ones identified as having been denied their rights to a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Had she known the... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: administration, school, Training
June 18, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
My week was jam-packed with AAC and literacy. If your week was just as busy, you might have missed a post or two. Monday: AAC In the Classroom: Considerations for Modeling Core Vocabulary Wednesday: Video of the Week: Breaking Down Barriers to Inclusive Education for AAC Learners Thursday: How I Do It: A Year of Core Words in Action
Filed under: Featured Posts
Tagged With: summary post
June 15, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Some of the best resources are the ones that we can modify to use in ways that fit our own specific needs. In this post, SLP Kim Hurley, a graduate of Indiana University, shares her experiences in experimenting with the Year of Core Vocabulary approach. Kim has spent the past 15 years as a specialist for students with moderate and severe disabilities or complex communication needs in educational settings. Currently, she is employed by Forest Hills Special Education Cooperative, serving students in rural Monroe and Owen Counties in south central Indiana. Enjoy! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: For the past 15 years, I have been working as an SLP serving public school students who have moderate to severe disabilities or complex communication needs. Several students benefit from various forms of augmentative communication, and in my years of work I have come to appreciate the flexibility that a robust, core word based system provides. However, when... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: classroom, Year of Core Words
June 12, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Here in the US, many schools just let out for summer vacation but some special education teachers and SLPs are already thinking about things they want to prepare over the school break so they’ll be ready for fall. Some are contemplating changes to the ways they support AAC in the classroom. We’ve heard from several who are planning to prioritize modeling of core vocabulary using aided language input. Before we start making large core boards and other support materials, though, it’s helpful to stop and think through some important issues. A little planning now will save time and effort in the long run. If you’re planning to do this kind of prep work over the summer, here are some questions for your team to consider. Does each student with complex communication needs have access to an AAC system that includes core vocabulary? If not, why not? In some cases, the students... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: aided language input, classroom, core vocabulary
June 11, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, everyone! Here are some posts from our prAACtical week. Monday: PrAACtical Resources: AAC 101 Flipbook Handout Wednesday: Video of the Week: Aided Language Input in AACtion Thursday: Video of the Week: Aided Language Input in AACtion
Filed under: Featured Posts
Tagged With: summary post
June 8, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Here in the US, there are many paths to getting access to AAC devices and services. Depending on the age of the communicator and other factors, we may pursue AAC funding the through the schools, public or private insurance, government programs for veterans and people with disabilities, and other sources. It is a complex task that requires specialized knowledge and some fortitude. June’s Site of the Month, AAC Funding Help, has been a resource to professionals and families for over a decade. Established by Lew Golinker at the Assistive Technology Law Center, the site has a wealth of resources to explore. Here are some highlights from that site. Overview of US funding options for AAC Specific details about the requirements and procedures for major avenues to AAC funding Sample letters of medical necessity and information on coding AAC devices and services for reimbursement purposes AAC Report Writing Coach Database of... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: advocacy, funding, insurance, medical necessity
June 5, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for a quick, easy-to-read resource to supplement your AAC trainings with colleagues and families? In today’s post we share a flipbook-style handout that might come in handy. It covers basic tips under these headings: AAC Near Me (See me, see my AAC) Speak AAC (Aided language input) Speaking Style (Descriptive talking) Expectations (Setting the bar high) Support (AAC facilitation strategies) FAQs (Q & A about implementation) Top 10 Tips You can download the file here. Edited: This was translated into Spanish as part of the Hablando PráctiCAAmente project, coordinated by Deanna Wagner. Dianna Angeles was the translator and Claudia Marimón assisted with the editing. You can access the Spanish edition here. Enjoy!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: handout, inservice, resource, Training