June 12, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We are happy to welcome back our friend and colleague, Dr. Kristy Weissling, and her student Heather Buhr, who are sharing more information about an AAC tool they are using to support people with aphasia. Take a look at their Pocket Calendars, which may be beneficial to clients with other kinds of communication difficulties as well. You can see their original post, Low-Tech AAC for Adults with Aphasia, here. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: In our last post we examined the differences between memory books and communication books. As promised, we are back again to share with you a low-tech “device” that we have been recently using- the pocket calendar. It’s simple, easy to use, comes together in a snap, and is probably familiar to your clients. We will review how our clients are using these pocket calendars, why we find them effective, and how to put one... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: aphasia, communication book, Heather Buhr, Kristy Weissling, Pocket Calendar
June 11, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We’ll take any opportunity we can get to see teachers eliciting AAC in the classroom. Take a look at some of the clips in this brief presentation by the folks at Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. Direct Link to Video: http://www.lcps.org/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/116/CommVideos/ECSADL.wmv
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: back to school, classroom, Loudoun County
June 10, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Picture exchange is powerful strategy for building symbolic communication in individuals with significant communication difficulties. We’ve posted about implementation of PECS a few times, and included references to research supporting its efficacy in some additional posts. Today, we look at a sequence of three single subject design experimental studies by Dr. Jeff Sigafoos and other researchers that looked at how the use of picture exchange and AAC devices (SGD condition) impacted social interaction. In the initial study, the team taught requesting skills either with picture exchange or AAC devices and then looked to see if there were any changes in social interaction. They hypothesized that the physical act of picking up a symbol and giving it to someone, as with the picture exchange condition, would make the learner less likely to turn away from his communication partner. So, in addition to measuring how well the participant learned to make requests,... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Jeff Sigafoos, picture exchange, research, Research Tuesday, SGD
June 7, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Sunday: Video of the Week – Franz Gets Ready to Read Monday: Strategy of the Month – Helping Beginning Communicators to Expand Their Sentence Length Tuesday: Teach Me Tuesday – LAMP Words for Life Wednesday: Pen Pals to Help Ease the Transition to Middle School by The Watson Institute Thursday: 5 Books Featuring Children Who Use AAC Friday: Fun Father’s Day AAC Activities
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
June 6, 2014
by Robin Parker -
It’s prAACtically Father’s Day. There are many things to talk about, create, eat, and prepare for this special day. Check out these fun activities that can be done during communication therapy, at home, or at school. Some can be done with dad and others can be done for dad as gifts. Enjoy the communication process. Record “I Love You” on a one hit message device/card/picture. You can give a card or talking picture as a gift. You can use the one hit message device to tell dad “I love you” many times for father’s day and beyond. Use Talking to Dad Visual Supports/Worksheets by Joel Shaul at Autism Teaching Strategies to create meaningful conversations Play a memory game with dad that is supported with PCS (Thank you Mayer Johnson) Use a visual recipe to prepare a sweet treat for dad. Consider chocolate covered pretzels. Create a power point book about... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC activities, father's day
June 5, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Anyone else thinking of a little summer reading? We were looking for books featuring children who use AAC the other day and thought others might also be interested in this topic. The Boy Who Saw Too Much (Part of the Romeo Riley Private Detective Series) by April Whitt How Katie Got a Voice (And A Cool New Nickname) by Pat Mervine On Being Sarah by Elizabeth Helfman Sara’s Surprise by Nan Holcomb YOURS! Make your own story with digital storytelling apps like My Story – Book Maker What are your favorite books that show children using AAC?
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Books, literacy, reading
June 4, 2014
by Robin Parker -
The Watson Institute provides a great suggestion for helping to ease transition to Middle School. Additionally, Pen Pals are an awesome idea for improving prAACtical communication. http://youtu.be/EvG5YH0S9rk
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Pen Pals, Written Communication
June 3, 2014
by Robin Parker -
Learn all about LAMP Words for Life™ App by Prentke Romich Company (PRC) through these great resources. General Product Information Quick Start Guide Tutorials, videos, and support About LAMP Converting Files to Use with Other PRC Devices Where to Go for Help PRC Home
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC app, Words for Life App
May 31, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Sunday – Video of the Week: AAC & the Reading Song Monday – Strategy of the Month: Resources for Families – PLN’s Tuesday – Low Tech AAC for Adults with Aphasia: What Does That Mean? Wednesday – ILT 2014: A Connected AT Community Thursday – AACtual Therapy with Shareka Bentham: Navigating Eye Gaze for Beginning Communicators Friday – 9 Tips for Better AAC Communication Throughout the Year
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
May 30, 2014
by Robin Parker -
Although Better Hearing and Speech Month is ending, we want to continue best prAACtices in all teaching interactions throughout the year. Here are 9 AAC facilitator tips to help with this goal. Provide Aided Language Input (ALI)– ALI is modeling AAC style. Speak AAC to the AAC user. Use Scaffolding– Scaffolding is a verbal and visual strategy that has the facilitator build upon prior knowledge of the learner in order for the learner to integrate a new concept or skill. Model words and concepts to add information onto what the AAC user already knows and uses. Provide Expansions and Extensions– A form of modeling. Add a word to the spontaneous communication from the learner. The facilitator models a conceptual or grammatical word in the form of a model. Use Recasting– Recasts serve to add or correct information without obstructing the natural flow of communication. Recasting is another form of modelling. The... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: teaching strategies