September 21, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
If you’ve been using interactive reading in your AAC work, you’ll find lots to love about today’s featured video. Originally presented at AAC in the Cloud, hosted by CoughDrop, this archived session by special educator and AT specialist Sharon Redmon provides some important information on how to build background knowledge and vocabulary in engaging ways. Many thanks to Sharon and the fine team at CoughDrop for making this video available. You can obtain the handouts for this session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K4I_N-QnCg&ab_channel=CoughDrop You can learn more from Sharon here.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
September 19, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Whether they are therapists, educators, or come from some other background, AAC practitioners tend to be overworked and under-resourced. The day-to-day work of planning instruction, measuring growth, documenting services, communicating with other team members, creating or adapting materials, making adjustments on the SGD/AAC app, and advocating on behalf of the AAC user leaves little time for the other types of support that are needed. Thus, things that need attention but can wait for another day when there is more time and energy often get moved to the side. Today, we continue our series of things that get overlooked even by the best professionals and most dedicated families. Time and energy are always in short supply. We’ve already talked about the importance of backing up AAC apps/SGDs but did you know that depending on the specific equipment and software, you’re not always backing up everything you need? (If you missed the... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
September 18, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts from our prAACtical week. Monday – Personalizing AAC Activities Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: AAC with Eddie the Elephant Thursday – Throwback Thursday: AAC Therapy Activities :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Still have time for a little more reading? Here are some additional posts for you to explore. Beyond Requesting: Thoughts on Teaching Information Transfer How I Do It: Encouraging AAC Implementation (Lauren Enders) PrAACtical Ways to Make Decisions About Thematic Therapy Materials In the Treasure Bag: Using Sharing Time to Focus on Vocabulary AAC in Motion: Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk with Tanna Neufeld Embedding Core Vocabulary Instruction into Emergent Literacy Routines
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
September 15, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some different activities to support AAC learning? Today, we reach into the archives to share some old favorites. Research Project AACtivity Concept Sorts Using Surveys to Support Language Learning Magic Moments with Tellagami New Word Teaching: A Look Inside Some PrAACtical Therapy Sessions Teaming Up to Build Communication with a Treat Cart: Part 1, Part 2 AACtual Therapy: Use Your Best Spud to Teach Vocabulary With Tanna Neufeld PrAACtical Supports for AAC Learners: AT Recipes for Success – Sensorimotor Activities AAC Intervention: 5 Activities with PrAACtical Potential Vocabulary Activities: 5 Sites for Learning with Avatars PrAACtical Teaching in the Autism Classroom: Instructional Activities for Core Vocabulary Why We Love AAC Language Experience Activities 5 Ways to Use Word Clouds in AAC Therapy and Magic Moments with Word Clouds Magic Moments: Painting with Time Teaching the Use of Social Phrases and Comments Let’s Go Outside! 5 PrAACtical Ideas “Can I... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
September 12, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Like most learners, those with complex communication needs perk up when they see themselves, their family and friends, and their favorite things/places embedded into instruction or therapy. When we personalize materials and activities to each individual, we often see an increase in engagement and enjoyment. And those, in turn, lead to better outcomes. How can we put a personal spin on things we use in our AAC teaching? Here are a few ideas. Photos and videos of familiar people, places, and objects can be very impactful. Not all families are open to this and not all schools/agencies permit it. But when it IS an option, there’s nothing better to spark higher levels of engagement. We can substitute photos of family, friends, and favorite characters for generic photos/images in games, books, and learning materials to draw and retain their interest. We can talk about what they are doing and build language... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
September 11, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some AAC reading that you might appreciate. Monday – PrAACtical Thoughts on Labor Day Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Video Models & Visual Supports for AAC Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Supporting Early Communication with AAC ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Still have time for a bit more? Here’s a sampling of past posts for you to browse. PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Apples AAC Partner Training Strategies AAC Device Mounting Fundamentals AACtual Therapy: From PECS to iPad with Jason Butcher 5 Things We’ve Learned from Our AAC Families Understanding and Supporting Families of AAC Learners
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
September 8, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
When working with people who are in the early stages of communicative development, there is a lot to think about. If you are planning an assessment, preparing for therapy or instruction, or otherwise supporting an emergent communicator, these past posts may be of interest. Recommended Practices for Beginning Communicators Using Symbols with Beginning Communicators Getting Started with AAC Helping Beginning Communicators Expand Their Sentences A PrAACtical Literacy Activity for Beginning Communicators Beginning Communicators: Learning Through Touch Cues
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
September 7, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Video modeling and visual supports are evidence-based instructional strategies that don’t get as much attention as they deserve. In today’s post, we feature AAC/AT specialist and special educator Kate Ahern, of AAC Voices, in a video that provides helpful information and tips for implementing these strategies. Thanks to Kate and the Angelman Academy for making this wonderful webinar available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSpzHt_yN6A&ab_channel=AngelmanAcademy
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
September 5, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Unemployment and underemployment are chronic problems faced by people who use AAC. As we celebrate Labor Day, we’re thinking of those of you who are working to help people who use AAC find, get, and keep jobs that they enjoy. If you are advocating for people with AAC needs in the realm of employment, this video by SLP Megan Case may help the agencies and job coaches you’re connecting with to better understand the role of speech-generating devices and other AAC. Direct link to video – https://ohioemploymentfirst.org/view.php?nav_id=123 You can check out other employment-related resources in this past post.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
September 4, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Take a look at some of the posts from this week. Monday – September Year of Core Vocabulary & School Year of Core Vocabulary Words Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Introduction to the Communication Matrix Resources Thursday – Sensory Stories: 5 Resources to Explore Saturday – PráctiCAAmente Conectados: CAA Con Links ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: If you have time for a bit more browsing, here are some posts you can explore. AAC Printables The Crust of AAC Every Second Counts Goodbye, Summer! A Clinician Prepares for a New School Year 3 Ways to Use AAC Goals to Strengthen Implementation
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking