July 26, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Social media is highly motivating for teens and young adults, but how can we incorporate it into our AAC teaching? Today AAC SLP Ashley Larisey is back with some activity suggestions and ideas for implementation as part of the AAC in Secondary School series. Ashley is an SLP at Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She is also an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor and Instructor at Saint Xavier University. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: SOCIAL MEDIA As learners get older, the use of digital communication tools (internet, social media, e-mail) often increases. Digital communication plays a huge role not only in communicating with someone who is not in your immediate environment but in making connections with others who have similar interests or lived experiences. Recent research suggests that social media can be an invaluable tool to support AAC users in many areas, including connecting with other individuals, making communication easier, gaining independence,... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 25, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts you might have missed. Monday – AAC Parking Spots Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Building an AAC Culture in Schools Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Thinking About Assessment :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Here are a few more to explore before you go. Why We Love Language Experience Activities 5 Things to Do If You’re Not Confident Teaching Core Vocabulary Building Sentence Length through Conversational Routines & Games 5 Quick & Easy Games That Build AAC Skills 5 Ways to Promote Generalization of AAC Use Have a great week, AAC friends!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 22, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Need some tips for conducting good AAC assessments? Today we look back at some detailed posts on AAC assessment practices from Vicki Clarke’s series, AAC Assessment Corner. Enjoy! Ready, SETT, AAC Evaluate! AAC Skills Assessment for Direct Selectors Standardized Tests For AAC Users AAC Assessment for Emergent Communicators The Eyes Have It-Assessment Considerations for High Tech Eye Gaze Access Is AAC Feature Matching Still Relevant? Thinking Inside the Box for AAC Evaluations Procedural Resources Evaluating Skills for Use of Comprehensive AAC Dynamic Display SGDs Language Representation Elements – Noun Symbol Use for Functional Communication
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 20, 2021
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
July 19, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
As AAC practitioners well know, the ideal place for an SGD or communication board/book is on or near the communicator at all times. They may wear the device on a harness, carry it with a strap or handle, or have it mounted on a wheelchair so that it is easily accessible throughout the day. It’s clear: The best situation is for the device to be within arm’s reach of the communicator at all times. In the real world, however, it can take years to turn this best practice into a reality. In the meantime, it can help to find a space in each room or section of the classroom where the device will ‘live’ when not in use. What’s an AAC Parking Spot? Simply put, this refers to a designated place for the AAC device in each room of your home or each section of your classroom. When the AAC... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 18, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We’ve rounded up some posts that may be of interest. Monday – Customizing Core Boards: 3 Initial Steps to Consider Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Inclusive Education for Students with AAC Needs Thursday – PrAACtical Resources: AAC-friendly Materials for Hurricane & Storm Preparation :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Before you go, here are a few of Karen Natoci’s popular literacy-focused posts to check out. PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Yo! Yes? PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: The Family Book PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Hello Baby PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: The Five Senses PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Are You My Mother?
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 15, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
We’re well into hurricane season here in South Florida and so we’re thinking about ways to support people with significant communication challenges. We can’t predict when extreme weather or other natural disasters will strike, but we can prepare. Here are a few resources that you might find helpful. Reassuring Books About Storms for Children by Heather at Books & Giggles It is Hurricane Season by Autism Educators Preparing for Natural Disasters by Smarty Symbols Hurricane Preparation by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) What Is A Hurricane? by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Tornado Vocabulary by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Storm Social Narrative by Sandy K via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Storm Surge Narrative by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Webinar on Disaster Preparedness for People with Complex... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 13, 2021
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
July 12, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Core boards have gained popularity as an on-ramp to AAC in classrooms and therapy centers, and can be a valuable way to bolster implementation in those settings. AAC users need and deserve to use communication tools that reflect their individuality, though, so these are generally seen as a stepping stone to an approach that uses assessment data to make AT decisions. In the meantime, how can we ensure that the core boards we use are functional for the complex AAC learners we serve? Here are three areas to consider addressing. Vision: If the AAC learner has visual difficulties, it’s important to determine what changes need to be made so that they can see and use the core board. In collaboration with a vision specialist who knows the AAC learner’s needs and abilities, the team should consider things like: The size of the individual symbols and words, Optimizing color and contrast, ... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 11, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts you may have missed. Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: MASTER PAL Modules 6-7 Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Looking at AAC Language Learning Activities ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: While you’re here sample some of these offerings from our series entitled PrAACtical Supports for Older Learners: AT Recipes for Success. Each one has a downloadable handout of home extension activities for teens and adults. Let’s Cook! Magazines and Nailpolish Computer Have a great week, everyone!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking