June 27, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
With our academic year behind us, we have the opportunity to hear and learn from those who teach AAC to future professionals. In today’s post, Vicki Haddix returns to share a student’s unique perspective on an AAC assignment. Vicki is an AAC SLP and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis. You can read other posts by Vicki here. Watch for her interview with Rachel Madel on an upcoming episode of the Talking with Tech podcast. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I’ve written in the past about some of my students’ final projects for the AAC class, but I wanted to specifically share something a little different this time. About halfway through the semester-long class, the students get an assignment requiring them to create a communication board to use themselves during a regular activity. This assignment comes after we’ve talked about the different ways to organize vocabulary and they’ve had a few chances... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 26, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some posts that you might enjoy. Monday – AAC Reading Material: 3 Book Suggestions Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Funding for AAC Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Summertime & AAC :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: If you have the time, here are some past posts you may enjoy. Beyond AAC Modeling: 3 Things to Add to Your AAC Teaching Plan AAC Skills Assessment for Direct Selectors Selecting AAC Apps & Devices: A Handful of Reasons Not to Skip the Trial Period Observational Assessment of Beginning Communicators Bilingual AAC Assessment Tips by Lindsay Oesch Say What?!? AAC Assessment for Children Who Speak with Dr. Jill Senner and Matthew Baud
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 23, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Given that summer is officially in bloom, we thought it might be helpful to reach 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 PrAACtical Summer Activities AAC-friendy Camps
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 21, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Tuesday, AAC friends! Once a week we invite you to share your own AAC-related content, product news, or anything else that you’d like others in the AAC community to know about. It may be a recent post you’ve written, a slide deck from your AAC presentation, a handout, video, or meme that you’ve posted online, an AAC product you’ve created, an announcement for an AAC course or conference, or any other prAACtical content you developed and want to share with the AAC community. To post your own link, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and complete the form. Enter the URL and the name/title in the boxes provided below. If you are on a mobile device, click over to the full website version to do this. The AAC Link Up is moderated to keep us from being spammed so it may take a little... [Read More...]
Filed under: AAC Link Up, Featured Posts
June 20, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Summer is a great time to catch up on reading. If you can squeeze a few more AAC titles onto your bookshelf, we have some suggestions for you. Take a look. AAC for All: Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practice Mindel, M.G., & John, J. (2022). AAC for all: Culturally and linguistically responsive practice. Plural Publishing Inc. Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Challenges and Solutions Ogletree, B.T. (2021). Augmentative and alternative communication: Challenges and solutions. Plural Publishing Inc. Fundamentals of AAC: A Case-based Approach to Enhancing Communication Hall, N., Juengling-Sudkamp, J., Gutmann, M., & Cohn, E. (2023). Fundamentals of AAC: A case-based approach to enhancing communication. Plural Publishing Inc. Do you have suggestions for books to learn more about AAC topics? We’d love to hear them.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 16, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
June is Aphasia Awareness Month, so we’re reprising some past articles and videos on supporting people with aphasia through AAC. When Language Is Lost: AAC Supports for Individuals with Aphasia Making It Work: 6 AAC Strategies for People with Aphasia Low Tech AAC for Adults with Aphasia: What Does That Mean? Bridging the Gap: Helping People with Aphasia to Compensate for Their Language Difficulties Aphasia, Supported Communication, Written Choice Strategy, + Variations 5 Questions about Aphasia & Communication Books A Fresh Look at AAC & Aphasia with Dr. Kristy Weissling Communication Books & Aphasia Aphasia & Supported Communication: What’s Volunteering Got to Do With It? AAC Assessment for People with Aphasia AAC & Aphasia: Resources in Support of National Aphasia Awareness Month Video of the Week: Life Participation & AAC Device Personalization for Adults with Aphasia Video of the Week: AAC & Aphasia
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 14, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Tuesday, AAC friends! Once a week we invite you to share your own AAC-related content, product news, or anything else that you’d like others in the AAC community to know about. It may be a recent post you’ve written, a slide deck from your AAC presentation, a handout, video, or meme that you’ve posted online, an AAC product you’ve created, an announcement for an AAC course or conference, or any other prAACtical content you developed and want to share with the AAC community. To post your own link, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and complete the form. Enter the URL and the name/title in the boxes provided below. If you are on a mobile device, click over to the full website version to do this. The AAC Link Up is moderated to keep us from being spammed so it may take a little... [Read More...]
Filed under: AAC Link Up, Featured Posts
June 13, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
In the US, Juneteenth is one of our newest federal holidays and many are now getting ready to celebrate it. Whether you are relatively new to an understanding of Juneteenth or have been honoring it for decades, we hope today’s post has some ideas for integrating it into the AAC work you do. First published a few years back, we’ve updated it with some additional books, videos, and other resources. PrAACtically Juneteenth In the US, June 19th is a day that commemorates the ending of slavery. Although the Emancipation Proclamation became effective on January 1, 1863, it took an additional two and half years for it to take root in all of the states. It wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that Texas became the final state to uphold the proclamation. There are other days that memorialize the freedom of enslaved people, but Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration. Traditionally marked... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 12, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Take a look at some of our posts from the past week. Monday – Influencing People’s Perception of Beginning AAC Users: 3 Things to Try Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Communication Access to Justice Thursday – PrAACtically Father’s Day: AAC-friendly Ideas :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: If you have a little time before you have to leave, take a few minutes to browse through these past posts. Core Values: Suggestions for Language Building with AAC Learners AAC & Personal Narratives AAC Site of the Month: Centre for AAC AAC: 4 Ways to Develop Self Advocacy Skills & Become A Self Advocate 5 Ways to Support Self-Advocacy in AAC Learners ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Filed under: Featured Posts
June 9, 2022
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, PrAACtical Thinking