June 30, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
We’re ready to tear another page off the calendar and head into July, which means a new group of core words to focus on. The plan is to highlight a different set of core words each month to help our AAC learners grow their expressive vocabularies. Whether you are following along with the 2013 Year of Core (12 words/month) or the 2014 A(nother) Year of Core: (16 words/month; Different than the previous year’s core words), or just getting started, here are some helpful resources. Our July words are listed below. 2013 Words: and, before, color, find, is, later, love, much, ready, same, they, with 2014 Words: black, bottom, cut, face, foot, grandfather, high, maybe, morning, one, really, share, something, then, wear, weather Templates for you to plug in your own symbols: 2013 words, 2014 words Minspeak/Unity version: 2013 words PCS versions: 2013 words Symbol Stix version: 2013 words What can... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC Resources, Year of Core
June 29, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
What a wonderful way to start off a summer of learning! Last week, I was fortunate to be able to sit alongside a wonderful group of SLPs, OTs, teachers, and graduate students and participate in two full days of learning from Sean Sweeney, known to many of you as The Speech Techie. Thanks to the generous support of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) and the Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism (PEPSA), funded by the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, we were able to offer this workshop for free. The topic, Apps in Context: Aligning Technology with Methodologies and Clinical Objectives for Students with Autism, is one that is near and dear to my heart. Like many on you, I am always looking for new ways to engage AAC learners, and using fun apps is a great... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Apps, PEPSA, Sean Sweeney, Speech Techie, UM-NSU CARD
June 28, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Monday – How I Do It: Starting AAC with Teens & Young Adults by Angela Adams Tuesday – Teach Me Tuesday: Tobii-DynaVox M-8 Wednesday – Video of the Week: When Children Need AAC – Families Talking to Families
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
June 24, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
As much as we bring to the discussion when families are considering AAC, most of us are not able to speak authentically about what it is like to raise children who use AAC. In this video, Dana Nieder, author of the popular blog Uncommon Sense, talks about this issues from a parent’s perspective. This is a great video to share with families and team members who may be new to AAC. Thanks to the Center on Technology and Disability for making this available.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
June 23, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Want to learn more about the M-8 from Tobii-Dynavox? Here are some links to explore. Product Overview User Manual Video Tutorials: Getting Started Technical Specs Where to Go for Help 800/793-9927; support.na@tobiidynavox.com Knowledge Base (Select M-Series in the dropdown menu)
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
June 22, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Today, we welcome back Angela Adams, a Washington-based SLP. She currently works with students aged 11- 21 years in a small school district in the Pacific Northwest. Angela has 14 years experience, in both private practice and public school settings. She has a passion for helping adolescents and young adults with AAC needs develeop their communication skills. In this post, she shares some thoughts on getting older students started on AAC. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: What do you do when the new user of AAC is a teen or young adult? Core vocabulary, phrase-based communication, category- and topic-based pages….so many options for the new AAC user. THE CHALLENGES ARE REAL: What happens when the new user is a teen or a young adult? When in the public school system, what happens when this teen or young adult will only be our student 5 more years or 3 more or 1 more? What about our new AAC users... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Angela Adams, teens
June 21, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Monday – How I Do It: Classroom CORE Book by Tabi Jones-Wohleber Tuesday – “What’s Wrong?” AAC Messages for Negative Emotions and Feelings Wednesday – Video of the Week: Communication Through Eye Pointing Thursday – Site of the Month: Miami Dade County PreKindergarten Program for Children with Disabilities
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
June 18, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
These days, there are so many wonderful websites for resources and AAC-related information that sometimes it is hard to remember where to look. When I decided to feature some of my favorite sites, I wanted to start with a site that has been helping SLPs, teachers, and families for a long time. The website for preschool special education program at Miami Dade County Public Schools has been a ‘go-to’ resources for many years. The AT team, which serves over 200 preK classrooms, has evolved over the years, but what has not changed is their commitment to helping children learn to communicate. If you work with little ones, you may want to spend some time exploring their site. Here are some of the AAC-related highlights to get you started. Implementing AAC in the Preschool Classroom Using the daily routine as a framework Motivating messages Modeling AAC Using cues and wait time Using... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Miami Dade County Public Schools Prek ESE, preschool, resources
June 17, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
When people have significant motor impairments, finding a sustainable way for them to select and convey messages is a challenging task. This week, we turn to the ALS Association of Iowa for two wonderful videos on how to use ‘no tech’ eye gaze boards for communication. Direct Links to Videos Etran https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLkpRbUQzVo Eye Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHyXCcS38XM
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: access, eye gaze, eye pointing, Iowa ALS association
June 16, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Pain. Fear. Anger. Frustration Parents and teachers frequently ask SLPs to help learners further develop the skill of being able to say what is troubling them. Those are skills worth developing, of course. But a first step may be to review the vocabulary and messages available to the learner and consider making some adjustments. It is fine to be able to say what is wrong, but it’s even better to be able to explain what happened and what kind of help you might need. Here are some ideas for messages to consider. Sadness Because…[I remembered a sad thing that happened; Something happened to me; I’m lonely; I miss someone; I was left out; Someone got hurt. Something else.] It would help if…[add student’s preferred solution strategies Anger Because…[Something bad happened; I want to do something else; Someone hurt me; It’s unfair; I’m not sure why; Something else.] I need…[Some time... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: emotion, feeling, vocabulary selection