5 Ways to Build Awareness of the Power of Communication

February 19, 2014 by - 1 Comment

5 Ways to Build Awareness of the Power of Communication

Awhile back I helped a graduate student clinician lead a session with some children who do not yet have AAC systems in place. Communicating with pictures is hard for them and doesn’t yet make sense. They haven’t connected the dots to see that when they use these picture-based materials, they can influence the environment in a way that makes their lives more interesting and fun.   Our first step was to help them begin to understand that they could control aspects of their environment. Here are some things we did to help the AAC learners feel the power of communication. 1. Made communication easy: Talking switches and sequential communicators are great ways for learners to get a big payoff with little effort. In classrooms where there was no functioning technology, we used free apps for mobile devices and paper-based communication boards. 2. Made the response big and fun: Think silly,... [Read More...]

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Teach Me Tuesday: Go Talk Now

February 18, 2014 by - 3 Comments

Teach Me Tuesday: Go Talk Now

Go Talk Now by Attainment is a comprehensive customizable AAC app for the iPad, appropriate for both the beginner and experienced communicator. Come learn more about this AAC app with these resources:  Product Page User Guide Tutorial Video Where to Go for Help– 800-327-4269 Go Talk Now Free (Try Before You Buy)

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PrAACtical Peek: Wheels on the Bus

February 13, 2014 by - 2 Comments

PrAACtical Peek: Wheels on the Bus

We were in a classroom awhile back, supporting a little fellow in circle time, and it just felt like something was missing. Engaging materials and activities? There seemed to be plenty. Schedule? Nope, those were in plain view. Communication devices? They were all within reach of the children who used them.  As we watched the teachers and kids interacting, it seemed like something got forgotten. Then it hit us – song boards! We used to see large visual displays, like this wonderful one made many years ago by a fantastic young clinician, that had fun, interactive elements. We love songboards because they help the children focus and give us added material for building communication opportunities. We’re not sure why songboards aren’t in as many classrooms as they used to be, since they are so helpful in keeping children engaged. – Do you have favorite sources for songboards? Please share so... [Read More...]

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5 Things to Do When AAC Learners are Inconsistent

February 12, 2014 by - 5 Comments

5 Things to Do When AAC Learners are Inconsistent

We’ve had some interesting conversations recently with colleagues who firmly believe that AAC learners have to be consistent in the use of their new skills before it’s appropriate to move on. We disagree. There are times when consistency is essential. Crossing the street? Fine. No parent or professional is going to let a learner do that alone until they’re 150% consistent. But for most other things that we teach, it doesn’t make sense to focus on consistency. Here are some of our prAACtical ideas for what to do if you work with learners who are inconsistent in using their AAC skills. 1. Understand it. Inconsistency is a part of the learning process, and not a sign of failure, incompetence, or ‘stubbornness.’ (Ugh! I can’t even write that without that prickly feeling at the back of my neck.) Think about developmental norms for speech sound acquisition. Remember those charts of when... [Read More...]

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Supporting Children in the Pediatric ICU

February 11, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

If there is anything scarier than having a very sick child in the ICU, it has to be when that child has no means of communication. In this Research Tuesday post, we join the efforts spearheaded by Rachel Wynn of Gray Matter Therapy to share an article that discusses the issues and presents some solution strategies. When we think of research studies in SLP, we think of experimental designs and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In AAC, group research designs are uncommon because of the immense heterogeneity of this clinical population. Even limiting the study to one single disorder and age group, say teenagers with dysarthria secondary to cerebral palsy, contains too much heterogeneity for most group research. Instead, we see more single subject design experimental studies (SSEDs) in AAC. When well-designed, SSEDs have strong experimental control and allow researchers to answer causal questions, such as “did the treatment (e.g., teaching... [Read More...]

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Fast FAACt Friday: Accidental Access

February 7, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Fast FAACt Friday: Accidental Access

What was the first technology that allowed teachers and SLPs to use personal computers in their work with students who had significant physical disabilities? Probably the Adaptive Firmware Card (AFC). Developer Paul Schwejda and SLP Judy McDonald discuss in this wonderful video from the AT Oral History Project at the University of Connecticut. How interesting that this wonderful tool stemmed from an accidental meeting by two forward-thinking people! Direct Link to Video: http://youtu.be/xu40fnC94Hk

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31 AAC Posts You May Have Missed in January, 2014

February 6, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

31 Posts You May Have Missed in January

Strategy of the Month: PrAACtice Opportunities Building a PrAACtice Routine PrAACtical Communication Opportunities in SLP Sessions Using Aided Language To Build Communication Opportunities PrAACtical Excercise: Building Fluency with Decontextualized PrAACtice  PrAACtical Thinking Ringing in the New Year with an AAC App Giveaway- acorn Another Year of Core Vocabulary Get Organized for the New Year- 5 Visual Schedule Apps A PrAACtical Week: 2014 #1 Watch it Wednesday- Pain in Children with Developmental Disabilities PrAActical Peek: Decorating Cookies 31 Posts You May Have Missed in December A PrAACtical Week 2014 #2 Does AAC Really Work with Infants & Toddlers Watch it Wednesdays- Using and Creating Routines to Promote Interactions Throwback Thursday: Visual Schedule Roundup A PrAACtical Note of Appreciation A PrAACtical Week 2014 #3  Watch It Wednesday: I Hear Them All  A Totally Different Life A PrAACtical Week #4 SpeakAll! A Research-to-Practice Project  Make It PrAACtical: Make Your Own Battery Interrupter (Without Soldering) ... [Read More...]

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