October 24, 2013
by Robin Parker -
Cooking is a great activity as the platform for meaningful language experiences for both children and adults. Halloween often involves candy and tasty treats. However, there are also plenty of healthy Halloween foods (e.g., carrot pumpkins, tangerine & celery pumpkins, or apple teeth to name just a few). Then comes Thanksgiving and all the recipes that go along with it (e.g., lots of opportunity for repetition with variety). Everyone can be involved with cooking, although just because you cook doesn’t mean you need a stove. From spooky chex mix to more elaborate cookie and cake decorations, there is a ton of active participation and conversation that can be incorporated into cooking. And the fun and rewards (eating) are built-in. Although there are plenty of Halloween recipes, many recipes can be turned ‘spooky’ with an addition/modification of Halloween shapes or colors. You can cook using core words and/or focusing on the... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: cooking, Halloween
October 23, 2013
by Robin Parker -
A really great explanation of assistive technology by RSLSteeper Assistive Technology . We will definitely will use it in training and education.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assistive technology, communication
October 22, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
This week in Teach Me Tuesday we’re learning more about Proloquo2Go (P2G) by AssistiveWare. Here are the learning resources we’ll be using. Getting Started Webinars (on the right) Overview/Intro to P2G 3 Core Word Vocabulary-How to Customize It and Basic Communication Vocabulary: How to Customize It P2G Options, Part 1 and Part 2 Buttons, Clues, & Resources Making Back Ups and Saving: Save, Transfer & Restore a Backup Using iTunes for Windows Save, Transfer & Restore a Backup Using iTunes for Mac OS X Save, Transfer & Restore a Backup Using Dropbox Save, Transfer & Restore a Backup Using Using WiFi Getting Help within the P2G App Beyond the Basics Advanced Customization VocaPriority: Prioritize Vocabulary by How Frequently It Gets Used For those who Used the Original P2G Upgrading to P2G 2 Moving from the Old Vocabulary to the New Ones Discussion board/forum by AssistiveWare Manuals and documents by AssistiveWare Connect with AssistiveWare... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Teach Me Tuesday
October 21, 2013
by Robin Parker -
More core word prAACtice ideas. Whether you are just getting started or have been working with core word vocabulary for a long time, the teaching strategies you use to TEACH, helps turn regular words into real communication and language. Provide Aided Language Input- ALI in Meaningful Language Experiences. PrAACtice USING core words in many, many opportunities. Authentic, meaningful prAACtice is fun for everyone. This core word prAACtice is for November. There is a lot of food, leaves, changes of weather, thankfulness, sharing, and holiday spirit. Here are some ideas of activities that can go with the core word words, phrases and sentences: Do art project– Make a turkey because there are many opportunities to use body. From asking for the ‘body of the turkey” and asking for “feathers of the body” there can 50-100 opportunities for prAACtice. You can do this with a beginning communicator who can ask for a... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
October 18, 2013
by Robin Parker -
Celebrating AAC Awareness Month is fun and exciting. We are hearing great stories about how AAC is impacting students, children, adults, families, educators, & SLP’s. Our PrAACtical AAC celebration could not happen without the generosity of so many companies and developers. We have been overwhelmed by their continued support. We could not be more THANKFUL. Their apps, software, and products help AAC users learn communication and language with optimal success. Be sure to enter for a chance to win awesome prizes that will help you teach AAC to ALL people who need it. From AAC, assessment , continued professional development, literacy, to communication everywhere there are amazing options. GOOD LUCK! Ablenet, Inc Abilipad Alexicom BeeVisual/ChoiceWorks Close 2 Home Apps Dynavox/Mayer Johnson Handhold Adaptive Hump Software MarbleSoft Mozzaz News-2-You Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company Safe N Sound Mobile Silver Lining Multimedia Smarty Ears Speak For Yourself SpeechPathology.com SpeechTree TapSpeak TherapyBox/TBoxApps TouchChat... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Giveaway
October 17, 2013
by Robin Parker -
Core Word Round-up! Core Word PrAACtice Ideas Magic Moments: AAC Intervention with Stop and Go App Magic Moments with Toca Store Magic Moments with Sentence Builder Magic Moments with Verb Circus HiJAACked! Putting an AAC Twist on Gen Ed AACtivities: The Hallelujah Flight AAC Goes to PreSchool 5 PrAACtical Uses for Flashcard Apps Visual Language, Core Words, & Martin Luther King Can I Ask You A Question? Breakthroughs with Bubbles with Tanna Neufeld 14 Valentine’s Day Activities, Love, Literacy, & Learning AAC Learning with Play Dough by Jamie Cooley 5 Ways to Use Power Point in AAC Intervention 5 PrAACtical Thoughts on Catch-Up Conversations How I do It- Marlene Cummings Shares an Implementation Toolbox AACtual Theray with Tanna Neufeld- Use Your Best Spud To Teach Vocabulary How I Do It- Marlene Cummings On Strengthening the Communication... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: resources, teaching
October 16, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
One of the most widely shared concepts in AAC is the notion of communicative competence. In this hallmark article, published over 20 years ago, Dr. Janice Light started the dialogue by suggesting that there are four domains to competence in AAC: linguistic competence, strategic competence, social competence, and operational competence. The dialogue continues, but you can read the original article here. Thanks to ISAAC for making this free to all. Edited: You can also get it here. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Light, J.C. (1989). Toward a definition of communicative competence for individuals using augmentative and alternative communication systems. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 5,4, 137-144.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Janice Light, reprint
October 15, 2013
by Robin Parker -
We participated in a silent tea. We used no tech, low tech, and high-tech AAC. For 1 hour. With a group of graduate students, families, and clients. We only communicated with AAC, no natural speech. It was enlightening to say the least. We have done silent teas before, but not recently and as it turns out, a lot was forgotten. Lessons Learned: Communication Takes Longer. Communication takes much longer when using a speech generating device. This is true even when you know the message you are trying to compose, even when you know where the symbols or words are located. We are pretty good at using pause time and waiting expectantly but realized we need to probably wait even longer for messages to be composed. As long as the interaction is continuing, waiting 45 seconds is not too long and if you see someone in... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
October 14, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
That’s a question we hear from time to time, and it often stops us in our tracks. The good thing about this question is that is signals that the clinician recognizes a stumbling block and is searching for a way around it. Like many things in our lives as SLPs, it’s all about problem-solving. So, how DO you make learners like their AAC? Well, for starters, we don’t like ‘making’ people do anything. Offer, entice, tempt? Yes, frequently. ‘Make’? Not our first, second, or third choice. If we have a really strong rationale and we’ve run out of other options, we may go there. When it comes to helping our clients learn to like their AAC systems, here are some things we think about. 1. We like what we’re good at: Until someone is proficient at aspects of their AAC system, it will feel like work. Why? Because it is... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: client perspective, client-centered
October 11, 2013
by Robin Parker -
It’s time for the 2nd 2013 AAC Awareness Month celebration! It is so exciting to see all of the AAC activities and plans from around the country and world to help spread AAC Awareness. There has been sharing of AAC information, AAC decorations, Silent teas, and much more. We hope that with increased awareness, there is increased ACCESS for ALL who need it. Keep spreading AAC information and keep teaching & learning. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL AAC AWARENESS MONTH! Celebrate with us by entering our AAC giveaway. Good Luck Everyone! The PrAACtical AAC Celebration is made possible by the very generous and awesome people at the organizations listed below: : Ablenet, Inc Abilipad Alexicom BeeVisual/ChoiceWorks Dynavox/Mayer Johnson Handhold Adaptive Hump Software MarbleSoft Mozzaz News-2-You Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company Safe N Sound Mobile Silver Lining Multimedia Smarty Ears Speak For Yourself SpeechPathology.com SpeechTree TapSpeak TherapyBox/TBoxApps TouchChat Verbally How Does It Work?... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC Awareness Month