September 20, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
We’re excited to hear from an increasing number of you who are exploring the use of visual scene (VSD) displays. In today’s post, we share some resources for one of the newest VSD apps, Snap Scene from Tobii Dynavox. Come learn along with us! Links to various versions of Snap Scene: Windows, I-Series, T-Series Full/Lite Version, iTunes Full Version, iTunes Lite Version Product overview Video demonstration Brochure Using Snap Scene at Home Snap Scene and Autism Pathways Companion App (free): Manuals, instructional videos, and other resources are available here Where to go for help: Phone – USA & Canada: 1-800-344-1778; UK: +44 114 307 23 64;Other countries: +46 8 522 950 20 Email – support.na@tobiidynavox.com
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC apps, SGDs
September 19, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Our Site of the Month addresses a topic relevant to many of you who serve AAC learners. The Project Core website is the public face of a research project looking at the use of an AAC intervention program that uses a consistent set of core vocabulary that grows with the learner over time. The multi-tiered system for augmenting language used in this project begins with extensive aided language input and explicit instruction of selected core words during meaningful interactions throughout the school day. This forms a foundation on which more specialized and individualized intervention and vocabulary selection is built. The project is part of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where the team has been developing a classroom-friendly intervention approach based on the System for Augmenting Language that was pioneered in the 1990s and continues to build an evidence base... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: CDLS, core vocabulary, core words, website
September 18, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
A handful of AAC posts from the past week. Monday – Five AAC and Related Resources to Explore Wednesday – Video of the Week: Reading with PODD Thursday – PrAACtical AT Recipes for Success: Shared Reading with ‘Bark, George’
Filed under: Featured Posts
Tagged With: summary post
September 15, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Thanks to all of you who have reached out with comments about the AT Recipes for Success and the wonderful resources shared by SLP Sara Barnhill and the AT Team at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. They’ve been incredibly generous in sharing their work over the past several months. If you missed them over the summer, you can view previous posts here. As a member of the AT Core team, Sara is involved in AAC evaluations and therapy in the hospital’s clinics, out-patient program and Transitional Care Unit. CHoR’s AT Program is one of few comprehensive AT programs in Central Virginia. The program provides AT evaluations, equipment and training to people of all ages, enabling children and adults with disabilities to function more independently. CHoR’s AT team consists of four SLPs, two OTs, one PT, and one Therapy Practice Assistant. In addition to completing transdiciplinary evaluations and treatments, CHoR’s AT team is... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: downloads, parent, reading, resources
September 12, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
From time to time, we get questions about resources for different aspects of AAC. Here are a few eclectic documents, presentations, and web logs that we’ve shared recently that might also be of interest to some of you. Happy exploring! AAC Basics and Implementation: How to Teach Students who “Talk with Technology” by Paul Visvader of the Boulder Valley School District AT Team Using Visual Supports to Enhance Participation and Decrease Challenging Behavior in Individuals with Autism and CCN by Kimberly Ho Fiona Writes Fiction (or Why AAC-Using Kids Need Word Play) by Heather Kirn Lanier Communication Milestones (LinguaSystems) by Janet Lanza and Lynn Flahive Limitless Stylus for People with Limited Hand Mobility by Venkat Rao
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: the fives
September 11, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Here are some posts you may have missed. Monday – AAC: More Teaching, Less Testing Wednesday – AAC Intervention That Teaches More and Tests Less: Thoughts on Implementation Thursday – PrAACtical AT Recipes for Success: Shared Reading with ‘Bear Wants More’
Filed under: Featured Posts
Tagged With: summary post
September 8, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Like many AAC professionals, SLP Sara Barnhill and the AT Team at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, love to help families use activities like storybook reading to build language skills. They’ve been incredibly generous in sharing resources from their AT Recipes for Success project (you can view previous posts here). As a member of the AT Core team, Sara is involved in AAC evaluations and therapy in the hospital’s clinics, out-patient program and Transitional Care Unit. CHoR’s AT Program is one of few comprehensive AT programs in Central Virginia. The program provides AT evaluations, equipment and training to people of all ages, enabling children and adults with disabilities to function more independently. CHoR’s AT team consists of four SLPs, two OTs, one PT, and one Therapy Practice Assistant. In addition to completing transdiciplinary evaluations and treatments, CHoR’s AT team is responsible for supporting staff and sharing AT information to five CHoR therapy... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: downloads, handouts, parents, shared reading
September 7, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
In an earlier post, I shared a graphic on the ways that AAC skills are ‘taught’ versus ‘caught.’ Teaching AAC skills involves the use of specific instructional strategies that give learners information and experiences which result in them being able to communicate more effectively. In many instances, we set out to do just that, but end up with an interaction that ‘catches’ what the student already knows how to do, rather than helping them gain additional skills. There are a few important concepts here. They both have an important role. ‘Catching’ skills isn’t bad. We can do this to figure out what the learner already knows/can do, and give him/her practice with the skill so that it becomes faster and easier to produce. When our interactions ‘catch’ a skill, we’ve created (or taken advantage of) an opportunity for communication. That’s important BUT, it isn’t teaching them anything new. Our learners do... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: implementation, intervention, learning outcomes, teams, therapy strategies
September 5, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: downloads, image
September 4, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Here are a handful of AAC posts that may be of interest. Monday – PrAACtically September: Resources for a Year of Core Vocabulary Wednesday – AAC Assessment Corner with Vicki Clarke: AAC Skills Assessment for Direct Selectors Thursday – PrAACtical Supports for AAC Learners: AT Recipes for Success – Sensorimotor Activities
Filed under: Featured Posts
Tagged With: summary post