January 28, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
People with AAC needs have so much to say, something I was reminded of recently when I pulled an old, dog-eared book from my shelf and got lost leafing through the essays. In spite of all the challenges he faced, Thomas Bratt, a Swedish man who became speech impaired from a massive stroke at age 23, reminds us that courage and a sense of humor count for something. In the book, Conversations with Nonspeaking People, Bratt tells about taking a trip on his own to see Venice two years after his stroke at a time when he was still severely aphasic. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I wanted to go to Venice. And at that time I couldn’t even speak Swedish. What difference would it make then if I couldn’t speak Italian?” (1984, p.26). Bratt, T. (1984). A totally different life. In Conversations with Nonspeaking People. Toronto:... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: attitude, humor, Thomas Bratt, travel
January 26, 2014
by Robin Parker -
Great example of teaching AAC. The communication partner/facilitator used the Think Aloud Strategy & really observed and determined the scanning strategy the learner used. Then there is plenty of enthusiasm, reinforcement, and a meaningful language experience. Enjoy watching this excellent example.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Scanning, Think Aloud Strategy
January 25, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We’re headed to ATIA after another prAACtical week. Here’s what we’ve been up to. Sunday: The PrAACtical Power of Peers Monday: Strategy of the Month: PrAACtical Exercise – Building Fluency with Decontextualized PrAACtice Tuesday: Teach Me Tuesday: Tobii C8 Wednesday: 10 References Supporting AAC Use in Inclusive Settings Thursday: Text-based Aided Language: Making the Language-Literacy Connection for Learners with Autism Friday: Make It PrAACtical – Making Your Own Battery Interrupters (Without Soldering!)
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
January 24, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Battery interrupters used to be cheap. I know I’m dating myself, but who else remembers getting them for under five bucks? They are such useful little buggers to have around so that battery-operated toys, CD players, etc can be quickly adapted for switch use. We’ve talked about adapting battery-operated toys for switch use, but you always need a battery interrupter. We were thrilled to come across this no-solder instructable for making them ourselves and figured that there have to be a few other DIY-loving prAACtical folks about there. Take a look. Direct Link: http://www.instructables.com/id/No-Solder-Battery-Interrupter/
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: battery adapter, battery interrupter, DIY
January 23, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We are so pleased to have this guest post by Alicia Garcia. She is the lead SLP at AAC Clinic at One Kids Place, in Ontario. You can read her previous post here. Today, Alicia takes us in a textual direction. Enjoy! When working with children with autism who have complex communication needs we have found it is not uncommon to see children who, despite having significant communication and language challenges, can read and sometimes type words. Their ability to decode written words is far superior to their ability to communicate their wants, needs and thoughts. Some of these children use AAC systems for their face-to-face communication and, in some cases, have a literacy program in place; they frequently have handy access to writing or typing tools. These children do not, however, use text to communicate with people. They have not made the Literacy-Communication connection. We wonder… how do we help these... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: aided language input, Alicia Garcia, literacy
January 22, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We sometimes get contacted by colleagues who are looking for references supporting the use of AAC. Here are some that are specific to inclusive settings in schools and in the community.* Alquraini, T., & Gut, D. (2012). Critical components of successful inclusion of students with severe disabilities: Literature review. International Journal of Special Education, 27(1), 42-59. Balandin, S., & Duchan, J. (2007). Communication: Access to inclusion. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 32(4), 230-232. Batorowicz, B., Mcdougall, S., & Shepherd, T. A. (2006). AAC and community partnerships: The participation path to community inclusion. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 22(3), 178-195. Calculator, S. (2009). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and inclusive education for students with the most severe disabilities. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 13 (1) 93-113. Carter, M., & Maxwell, K., (1998). Promoting interaction with children using augmentative communication through peer-directed intervention. International Journal of Disability, Development, and Education 45(1) 75-96. Daugherty,... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: community integration, education, inclusion, references, research, schools
January 21, 2014
by Robin Parker -
Tobii C8 is a small, lightweight and extremely portable communication aid for text and symbol based communication. Here are the resources to learn all about it for this Teach Me Tuesday: Main Resource Page with Videos Quick Start Gide C-Series Full Manual Environmental Control Taking Photos with AAC Using the Phone Where to Go for Help
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Teach Me Tuesday, Tobii
January 18, 2014
by Robin Parker -
It’s been an awesome PrAACtical Week. Take a look: Sunday: PrAACtical Communication and a Business Monday: PrAACtical Communication Opportunities in SLP Sessions Tuesday: Does AAC Really Work with Infants and Toddlers? Wednesday: Watch It Wednesday – Creating and Using Routines to Promote Interaction Thursday: Throwback Thursday – Visual Schedule Round-Up Friday: A PrAACtical Note of Appreciation (Don’t miss the downloads!)
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: resources
January 17, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We usually don’t make a fuss over blog birthdays or anniversaries, but this milestone seemed like something worth celebrating. Yesterday, you helped us hit a milestone: Our prAACtical pages have been viewed well over 500,000 times. It’s fun to think of people reading our posts, but this is bigger than us. The ‘AAC message’ is being heard and the AAC community is growing. In every continent, there are SLPs, educators, parents, paraprofessionals, and organization leaders who are giving voice to people who struggle to express themselves. Today, we celebrate YOU! Thanks for the work you do, and for being part of a community that believes everyone has both the right and the ability to communicate. We so enjoy connecting with you and hearing about your prAACtical experiences. Please enjoy these downloadable resources that we’ve developed and shared over the past two years. Forms: Need to flesh out your resources for... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: celebration
January 16, 2014
by Robin Parker -
As times goes on in the academic year, we often think that everyone knows their schedules. But remember, knowing and seeing are two completely different things. For this Throwback Thursday, we wanted to go over visual schedules of all types to remind ourselves not to back off with schedules (all types) even if it seems everyone is transitioning well and knows their schedules. We wouldn’t want anyone to take away our day planner…. even when we knew our schedule. What’s the Connection- Core Words & Schedules Visual Schedules 411 Get Organized for the New Year: 5 Visual Schedule Apps Schedule Changes A Myth About Visual Schedules A PrAACtical Myth Lives On.. Again Visual Schedule Myths Live On and On… Power of the Visual Planner Schedules and Choices Riddle Me This AAC at Home: Visual Schedules and Supports Building Complex Schedules Ideas for Teaching the Use of Schedules PrAACtical Mini-Schedules Video... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: visual schedules