July 19, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
As many of you know, it was a very sad week for PrAACtical AAC and many of our friends. Thanks to all who reached out with comments, emails, Facebook messages, and texts. Sunday: Video of the Week – The Right to Be Heard Monday: A PrAACtical Resource – Communication Access Tuesday: AAC Knowledge and Skills for SLPs Wednesday: Watch It Wednesday – Selfie Bandit Thursday: PrAACtically Heartbroken Friday: On Autism and AAC
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
July 18, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Today we are revisiting some of Robin’s most popular posts. 30 Ways to Celebrate Autism Awareness Month AAC Must-Have’s for the Classroom and Therapy Room The First 12: Getting Started with Core Words Literacy For Everyone with Adapted Books Beyond Requesting: Using Scripts to Teach Conversation AAC Goals That Matter Creating Communication Boards: There are Lot of Apps for That! Join Together: Core and Fringe Vocabulary Beyond Requesting: Let’s Chat with Peers Begin AAC Now: 10 Things to Do
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: ASD, friendship, robin parker
July 17, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
“I have lost more than a beloved friend. I have lost an inspiration. She would rather light a candle than curse the darkness, and her glow warmed the world.” (Adlai Stevenson)
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: ASD, friendship, robin parker
July 16, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
The only thing that makes us happier than seeing AAC take center stage is when it doesn’t. We loved watching this camp video in which one of the actors just happens to use AAC. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82XyZ9SwKu8&list=UUV9eMzg1kYuYd_hcfJZGWyQ
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
July 15, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
What should SLPs know and be able to do in order to provide AAC services? Here’s what ASHA has to say about that. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2002). Augmentative and alternative communication: knowledge and skills for service delivery [Knowledge and Skills]. Available from www.asha.org/policy.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: ASHA, Knowledge and Skills
July 12, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Sunday: Video of the Week – Writing Instruction for Students with Angelman Syndrome Monday: Strategy of the Month: A PrAACtical Resource – AT for the Little Ones Tuesday: Research Tuesday – Supporting Children with Severe and Profound Multiple Disabilities Wednesday: 5 Ways to Store Picture Symbols Thursday: Things to Try with AAC Learners Who Have Short Attention Spans Friday: What We Know: AAC & Pre-Requisites
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
July 11, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: cognitive pre-requistes, myth, pre-requisites
July 10, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We love talking to AAC practitioners, hearing their stories, and picking up some tips along the way. Some conversations we love for the creative ideas or underlying passion. Others are memorable for less positive reasons. But still, they give us pause and challenge us to be better problem-solvers. “I love those ideas, but they won’t work with MY client: He doesn’t pay attention. He’s just not ready for all this. How do you expect me to teach someone with such a short attention span?” Glad you asked! First, don’t blame the learner. Like having short legs or frizzy hair, attention span is something over which some learners have little or no control. Their physiology is their physiology and they may not like it any more than we do. Use high-interest components in your therapy. The goals are the goals, but we can use things the client likes to make working on... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: attention span, intervention
July 9, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We had a real chuckle when this photo came across our Twitterfeed (@PrAACticalAAC-Robin, @CommGreenhouse-Carole). The discussion that followed led us to think about our favorite ways of storing those little gems. Slide protectors and sports card protectors Hanging jewelry organizers Tackle and utility boxes Craft boxes for beads Tabbed coupon wallets Do you have a favorite way of storing the icons and picture symbols that you use in your therapy? We’d love to know about it.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: picture symbols, pictures, resources, storage
July 8, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
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,... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: classroom, PMLD, Research Tuesday