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
June 15, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Although summer is just beginning, many SLPs in our region are already thinking about the next school year. If you are trying to increase classroom use of AAC, you will want to check out the core vocabulary resources developed by Tabi Jones-Wohleber. Tabi is a Maryland-based SLP who works on the Frederick County Public Schools AT Team. You can view her earlier post (and accompanying downloads) here. In this post, Tabi shares her wonderful Communication Opportunities Ready to Engineer (CORE) book and explains how she uses these materials. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Classroom CORE (Communication Opportunities Ready to Engineer) Book: When posed with the question “How can I use core more?” by a group of teachers inspired to make communication a priority, I was thrilled to be part of a team motivated to investigate this exciting question. These talented Rock Creek School educators teach a diverse population of students with all manner of physical,... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: classroom, communication book, core vocabulary, Tabi Jones-Wohleber
June 14, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Monday – Summer Reading: Five AAC Suggestions Tuesday – How I Do It: Helping Clients Who Use AAC Connect with their Grandchildren by Rebecca Bright Wednesday – Video of the Week: Using AAC Facilitation Strategies Thursday – PrAACtically Reading: Over in the Garden with Karen Natoci
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
June 11, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Karen Natoci is back with another wonderful book and plenty of ideas for AAC implementation. Enjoy! Book: Over in the Garden, by Jennifer Ward, Illustrated by Kenneth J. Spengler Core Vocabulary focus: LOOK, IT, LIKE, NOT LIKE, IN, UH-OH OR OOPS. Literacy Level: Emergent COMMUNICATION Matrix Level: I-VII Four Block focus: Shared Reading and Working with Words (at the alphabet/rhyme level) —————————————————— It is spring at our school in Michigan and everything is green and the plants are beginning to grow, fast! I couldn’t wait to share my favorite book to sing: Over in the Garden! We found the nearest plant, gathered a few plastic bugs, adapted the book with some cut out fringe words (each type of bug) and I sang into the microphone! I decided to sing the book and play with sustaining certain words as you will see in this very short video. The rhythm, rhyme and... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Karen Natoci, reading
June 9, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
When a grandparent uses AAC, it can be challenging for them to reconnect with the children in the family. Today, we welcome UK-based SLP Rebecca Bright. Rebecca, who leads the award-winning app development team at Therapy Box, is passionate about helping people with acquired communication disabilities use technology to achieve their goals. In this post, Rebecca shares tips for creating meaningful and successful interactions between grandparents and grandchildren. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I came across a question posed by a person with ALS on a patient support forum that really got me thinking. The person was asking for the shared wisdom of forum users, to help him with the difficulty he was having with his young grandkids getting used to him using an iPad app as his means of communication after his voice had deteriorated. This got me thinking about how as SLPs we often focus on how our client uses a device and how perhaps... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: grandchildren, grandparents, Rebecca Bright
June 8, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
It is sunny and hot where we live, and we’re honoring the tradition of using beach and pool time to catch up on some of the books and articles that have been piling up throughout the year. Are you looking for summer reading material that goes beyond magazines and light fiction? Here are a few AAC selections to round out your summer reading list. The Impact of IQ on Using High-tech Augmentative Alternative Communication AAC in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Drs. Rana Zeina, Laila Al-Ayadhi, and Shahid Bashir AAC in the Schools: Best Practices for Intervention by Drs. Nancy Robinson and Gloria Soto Aided Augmentative Communication for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Dr. Jennifer Ganz Critical Issues Using Brain-Computer Interfaces for Augmentative and Alternative Communication by Dr. Katya Hill, Mr. Thomas Kovacs, and Sangeun Shin Real-Life Challenges in Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication by Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: reading
June 7, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Monday – PrAACtically June: Core Word Calendar by Rachael Langley Tuesday – AACtual Therapy: Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag with Dr. Jill Senner and Matthew Baud Wednesday – Video of the Week: Core Vocabulary Overview Thursday – 5 Ways to Use Magazines in AAC Therapy
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
June 4, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Magazines are one of my favorite therapy materials for AAC learners. There is a lot to love about these inexpensive, engaging materials. They’re readily available, novel, and easy to tote around. But most importantly, they work really well because you can find a magazine on practically any topic. From Justin Bieber to sharks to the Miami Heat and everywhere in between, there is likely to be a magazine that is age respectful and aligns with the interests of any AAC learner. There are so many options for using magazines in our AAC therapies. Here are some ideas to get you started. Beyond choicemaking: We all love to give our clients choices to promote engagement and support personal autonomy. (What’s the point of AAC if people aren’t also learning to speak up and use their voices to impact their lives?) Offering a choice of magazines is a fine, of course, but in... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: language therapy