Research Tuesday: Supporting Children with Severe and Profound Multiple Disabilities

August 12, 2014 by - 1 Comment

Research Tuesday: Supporting Children with Severe and Profound Multiple Disabilities

What do we know about the best ways to provide communication support to individuals with severe and profound multiple disabilities (PMLD)? PMLD is a term that generally refers to people who experience profound cognitive limitations in addition to sensory and/or physical disabilities. Many of these individuals have complex medical histories and chronic health concerns. Often, the communication difficulties experienced by individuals with PMLD cause them to be isolated and excluded from many social and educational opportunities. Despite their many challenges, there is evidence to suggest that AAC supports can help these children develop their communication skills. Not much is known, however, about how to structure the AAC intervention to maximize learning. In this study, Harding and her colleagues sought to reduce isolation and promote personal autonomy by providing AAC supports to two children with PMLD. As other researchers have demonstrated the positive impact of AAC on people with PMLD, this... [Read More...]

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A PrAACtical Tool for Emergencies and Accidents

August 8, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

A PrAACtical Tool for Emergencies and Accidents

Jonah fell off the monkey bars in his after school program and broke his wrist. Just another childhood experience unless you are nonverbal. Melinda had a significant seizure on a public bus. It’s great that she is independent, but what happens when no one who knows her can communicate with the ambulance staff? Accidents, injuries, and emergencies are part of everyday life. We don’t plan on them. We think they will never happen. Or, we don’t think about them at all. We’re just too busy. Until today. Let’s make this the day that we sit down and take the time to provide a safeguard for our clients. Widget Health’s Accident and Emergency Passport will help others know how to assist people with communication difficulties.    

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Learn by Listening with Chris Bugaj

August 7, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC professionals seem to love professional development. Unfortunately, there just never seems to be enough time to indulge our love for learning about new technologies and strategies. Sound familiar? Well, Chris Bugaj has been a solution worth listening to. Chris is an SLP and a founding member the Assistive Technology Team for Loudoun County Public Schools. He hosts The A.T.TIPSCAST , a multi‐award winning podcast featuring strategies useful in differentiating the learning experience. Chris is the co‐author of The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools and  ATEval2Go, and has two chapters in Technology Tools for Students with Autism. Chris co‐produces and co‐authors the popular Night Light Stories podcast which features original stories for children of all ages. Today, we share his wonderful presentation (complete with hyperlinks) that will help us to learn how to use podcasts to learn while we’re driving, exercising, or just hanging out. If you’ve thought about maximizing your learning opportunities by listening... [Read More...]

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Watch It Wednesday: Eye Gaze Research

August 6, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Watch It Wednesday: Eye Gaze Research

Today, we’ll take a look at a collaborative effort by researchers at University College London (Department of Developmental Science), Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (Neurodisability Service), and Barnsley Hospital. These researchers are investigating the eye gaze patterns of children with cerebral palsy who have little or no functional speech. Could tracking eye movements be a useful way to assess language skills? This is a line of research we will be watching. Direct Link: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/gaze

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5 AAC Handouts from ISAAC 2014

August 5, 2014 by - 1 Comment

5 AAC Handouts from ISAAC 2014

There were so many excellent presentations at the ISAAC 2014 Biennial Conference, it was impossible to get to all of them. Luckily, some of the presenters graciously made their handouts available online. Here are five of our favorites. Getting the Words Out by Deanna Wagner, Caroline Musselwhite, and Martine Smith Communication Partner Instruction for AAC Interactions: A Lifespan Approach by Laura Ball, Cathy Binger, Susan Fager, Joanne Lasker, and Jennifer Kent-Walsh Talking about Emotions Using Culturally Sensitive AAC by Ji Young Na, Sarah Blackstone, and Krista Wilkinson Access is the KEY to AAC: The Role of OT by Susanne Russell and Jennifer Buxton Communicative Competence for Individuals Who Require AAC: Revising the Definition and Strategies by Janice Light and David McNaughton    

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Five Questions That AAC Practitioners Ask Themselves

August 1, 2014 by - 7 Comments

Five Questions That AAC Practitioners Ask Themselves

We had a lot of fun with the post “You Might Be an AAC Therapist If,” especially in reading all the contributions from our prAACtical friends. Along those same lines, here are some questions that we’ve asked ourselves a few (dozen) times. Are these AAC devices/apps EVER going to be able to use context to know the tense and pronounce the word ‘read’ correctly? (Followed by an exasperated gesture) How is it that the student with disabilities can remember passwords that the nondisabled adults cannot? (Followed by a glance toward our ‘Presume Competence’ poster) Did he/she really just spell that out instead of using core words? (Followed by a low growl) Why is that device coming home from school fully charged? (Followed by a rise in blood pressure) Did I remember to turn off the laminator? (Followed by a face palm) How about you? What AAC-related questions do you ask yourself?

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