An AAC Christmas Carol
A very happy holiday from me to you.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
AAC Apps and Devices: Thoughts on Conducting AAC Trials
In an earlier post, we talked about why a period of trial use with multiple AAC devices and/or apps is an important part of the process of selecting a communication tool. As with test driving a car prior to purchasing it, giving clients an opportunity to use the AAC options that have the features they need allows us to better determine whether it is likely to meet their needs and expectations. Few of us would purchase a car without taking it out for a spin. It makes a lot of sense, but what does the ‘test drive’ equivalent look like in AAC? What makes for a fair and reasonable period of trial use when we’re trying out an SGD or AAC app? Here are some thoughts to get us started. Clarify the primary purpose of the trial, which generally involves determining a) whether the person can actually utilize it, and... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: device trials
Selecting AAC Apps & Devices: A Handful of Reasons Not to Skip the Trial Period
Would you buy a car without test-driving it first? Most of us would not, and for very good reasons. The car might have all the features we need, come with strong reviews from respected organizations, and look great, but there’s other important data that we can only get from driving it. How does the car feel when you’re in the driver’s seat? We might rule it out if the blind spots were too big, the seat was uncomfortable, or the handling didn’t meet our needs. That information can only come from actually trying it out. Prevailing wisdom suggests that a similar process is a critical step in selecting an AAC device or app. There are a lot of things that make it tempting to skip this step. It’s difficult to arrange for trials with multiple devices and apps. It takes a lot of time. We have to train them on... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: app selection, assessment, SGD selection, trial use
AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 51: December, 2016
Thinking of all of you at this busy time of year and sending wishes for a healthy, happy holiday season. Monday: PrAACtical Resources: A Tool for Identifying Features for AT Selection Wednesday: Video of the Week: Supporting the Communication Needs of Children with CVI Thursday: PrAACtical Resources: AAC Assessment Modules
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Tagged With: summary post
PrAACtical Resources: AAC Assessment Modules
If you talk to a dozen SLPs about AAC assessment practices, chances are great that at least 10 of them aren’t quite comfortable with the area. That’s why we’re so very appreciative of the efforts of Dr. Janice Murray, Helen Bell, Helen Whittle, and Osman Javaid of Manchester Metropolitan University, Sara Dale from the ACE Centre, and Janet Scott of Scottish Centre of Technology for the Communication Impaired for this terrific set of learning activities. If you want to learn more about doing good AAC assessments, this resource is a fine one to check out. Level 1 Module Level 2 consists of several modules, each of which can be accessed here. Thanks to all involved in this collaboration for sharing it with the rest of us!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment
PrAACtical Resources: A Tool for Identifying Features for AT Selection
Professionals who are involved in the selection of AAC and other AT are quite familiar with the concept of determining what features are needed and then selecting tools that have those features to sample. The feature matching process has been the gold standard for AAC device selection , though many practictioners report that its implementation may not be robust. Determining exactly which features an individual might need in their AAC or other AT is a critical part of this process, and one with which many teams struggle. In today’s post, we highlight an online resource designed to make this process easier for school-based teams. The Student Inventory for Technology Supports (SIFTS) is a free, web-based survey tool that helps teams match the needs and abilities of a student to specific AT features. It is not a comprehensive assessment tool but provides guidance to help teams in the process of AAC... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment, AT, feature match, schools
AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 50: December, 2016
How are you holding up in this busy holiday season? Here are a couple of AAC posts you may have missed. Monday: How We Do It: AAC in the Special Education Classroom Wednesday: Video of the Week: Supporting People with Significant Communication Challenges in Medical Encounters Thursday: Supporting AAC Learners in Emergent Writing: 5 Helpful Resources
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Tagged With: summary post
Supporting AAC Learners in Emergent Writing: 5 Helpful Resources
Looking for ways to help AAC learners of any age develop meaningful writing skills? These helpful resources may be of interest. “There is No Can’t” by Jane Farrall and Sally Clendon Emerging Writers and AAC by Jane Odom Alternative Pencils: What Does the Research Say? Emergent Literacy Beginnings and Goals for Children with Angelman Syndrome by David Koppenhaver and Susan Norwell (information applicable to a broader range of people who use AAC) Can Low-incidence Students Become First-time Writers? By Janet Sturm Happy exploring!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
How We Do It: AAC in the Special Education Classroom
At the ASHA Convention last month, I chatted with an SLP about her secret longing: To take a sabbatical and travel the world to see AAC in action. Wouldn’t that be exciting?! In the meantime, we’ll have to live vicariously and peek into AAC practices through the words and pictures of dedicated professionals. Angi Pearce, a teacher at Kowhai Special School in Hastings, New Zealand, was kind enough to help us out and share her experiences in increasing AAC use in her classroom. Angi is the team leader for the Junior School classes (ages 5-11) and graciously prepared this post with support from SLP Michelle Roberts. As you’ll see, Angi is a highly experienced educator but new to the world of AAC and not afraid to take risks and embrace change. Let’s take a look at how a veteran teacher stretched herself to incorporate more AAC into her classroom. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AAC IN THE CLASSROOM My... [Read More...]
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Tagged With: classroom, core vocabulary, school, signing
PrAACtically December: Resources for A Year of Core Vocabulary
A few years ago, we suggested that one way to help strengthen learners’ abilities with core words is to take a different set of 12-20 core words each month and focus on them for a few weeks. How? By modeling those words, making resource materials (like word cards with the symbols), creating activities in which those words figure prominently, posting them in the classroom/therapy room, reading books that have heavy use of these words, sharing them with families, write stories using them, etc. Core words are a great addition to the highly motivating, learner-specific words that many AAC users start with. If you are looking to expand to more robust language, this approach may be of interest. Here are the specific words we are focusing on in December. Set 1 (2013): ask, favorite, goodbye, hear, of, please, silly, surprise, these, use, way, work Set 2 (2014): already, clear, doctor, fix,... [Read More...]
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Tagged With: Another Year of Core Words, Year of Core Words