August 23, 2013
by Robin Parker -
As you know, we love combining apps in intervention as one tool for engaging learners in meaningful language activities. Apps can also be used within home prAACtice and ‘waiting time’ recommendations. Some of the apps we use and recommend are made for general as well as special education while others are just everyday apps developed to make life easier. When we use the apps for communication and language there are some features that help many of our students. Additionally, there are updates and other things that really help educators. This is just a beginning list of app features we love (feel free to write with more). THANKYOU APP DEVELOPERS FOR: Listening to feedback- we have emailed many app developers with ‘feedback’ and have always received responses and often that feedback is incorporated into updates to the app. Building in choice making opportunities- We love apps that require active participation on the part... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Apps, Learning, visual supports
August 22, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
As a rule, SLPs are pretty good about collecting data in their clinical work. Here are some of our prAACtical thoughts about data collection. 1. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. We’ve visited several programs where the client data filled a huge 3-ring binder. In some places, they logged the data daily, reviewed it frequently, and actually USED it to make programmatic decisions. If that works for you, great! But most programs only reviewed the data when they had to report it or prior to a visit by someone who might want to see and discuss those data. In those cases, the data really wasn’t serving it’s original purpose: to see how instruction might need to be tweaked for a client who was learning quickly, slowly, or not at all. The takeaway: Don’t collect more data than you’re prepared to review and put to use. 2. We should... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment, data, data-based decisions, download, forms
August 21, 2013
by Robin Parker -
One of our wishes is that all of our students have educators like Think Inclusive’s– Tim Villegas. He has worked in special education and with people with disabilities for the past decade. He has been dedicated to talking and writing and talking about inclusion for everyone (and yes, everyone means everyone). We feel so lucky Tim is our guest blogger today. Read and learn about ‘essentials’ for assistive technology in the inclusive classroom. One of my favorite things to tell people when I discuss what kind of assistive technology (AT) to have for a particular student is to think about their strengths and build from there. In my first year of teaching students with significant cognitive and physical disabilities, one of my students was really good at pushing her foot out to make an affirmative response. So when looking at where to provide a switch or button for her to access…the natural choice... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assistive technology, Inclusive Education, Special Education, Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas
August 20, 2013
by Robin Parker -
Here is authentic AAC teaching by the AAC Chicks. Watch for the combined use of AAC language facilitation strategies. Can you see: aided language input, wait & signal/time delay prompt, specific reinforcement, expansions, scaffolding, modeling, and more. Also, for the SLP’s, notice the data collection that does not distract from the session.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: aided language input, example, expansions, resources, wait & signal
August 19, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
In some of our posts, we talked about using QR (Quick Response) codes as a way to share information. If you are new to QR codes, they are like bar codes in that you scan them with some kind of device (like a smart phone or tablet) that has software or an app that reads the code. Then what? Then it takes you to whatever the author wanted you to see or hear. For example, a QR code on an SGD in a loan library might take you to a quick start tutorial on the manufacturer’s website. A QR code on a handout might take you an electronic copy of that handout that is stored on someone’s website or a cloud service, like DropBox or Google Docs/Drive. A QR code on the student’s picture card ring might take you to an audio recording of directions for how to complete a... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: QR codes
August 16, 2013
by Robin Parker -
These are some ‘non-traditional’ but really fun apps and activities that can be used to help improve writing, choice making, & AAC skills for all levels of writers. These apps allow you to create meaningful language experiences through the process of creating the written documents, by talking about & printing out the finished product, as well as by using writing specific reinforcement so that the learner knows they are really a writer (“wow, you are an author”, “great writing”, “awesome using many different words”, “excellent poetry”, etc.). Have fun and write. Type Drawing– TypeDrawing allows you to enter text or choose from a text word bank to draw lines or pictures. The text is repeated each time you begin drawing or touch and drag on the screen with your finger. We used this to make text pictures and then sent the pictures as notes to friends, birthday cards to a... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: activities, Apps, resources, writing
August 15, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We’ve been having fun with sequenced message communicators and apps this summer. Yes, they’ve been around for a long time, but that doesn’t mean we use them to capacity. You just can’t beat those simple technologies for flexibility and ease of use. Here are some of the things we’ve been trying out. 1. Say hello: Record a variety of age appropriate greetings so that each time the AAC learner uses it, they greet their peers in different ways (e.g., Teen: “What’s up? Hey, how’s it going? Lookin’ good! Nice to see ya! Hey, what’s goin’ on?”). 2. Get the group’s attention: Allow AAC learners to help get their classmates’ attention (e.g., “Listen up, everyone! Mrs. Martinez has something to say”. “Hey, room 113-Mrs. M is ready for us to move on.” “Eyes forward, room 113.”). 3. Give instructions: Record steps to an activity so that the AAC learner can give... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: 5, five, sequenced message, SGD
August 14, 2013
by Robin Parker -
Thanks so much to Gail Tatenhove & Robin for showing us an authentic language based activity with talking and core word teaching/learning as the main focus. You can watch and clearly see the goals and teaching strategies. For more great teaching examples, subscribe to Gail Tatenhove’s You-Tube Channel Direct Link to the Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9hZ5rH03ow
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: aided language input, by Gail tatenho, examples, teaching
August 13, 2013
by Robin Parker -
Today, we are so excited to have our new friends from the awesome blog lunchbuddiesplus sharing how and why they incorporate visual supports into their sessions. In their lunchbuddiesplus group sessions, the focus is on social skills and they find that visual supports make a huge positive impact. So as you get ready for back to school, think about the visual supports that will help make your goals and activities go smoothly. Robin McCallister is a Speech/Language Pathologist working at Mary Munford Elementary School in the Richmond City School district in Richmond, Va. She has 36 years of experience in the public schools. Currently, she spends most of the school day working withchildrenwho experience autism. She especially enjoys the social skills groups known at Mary Munford as “lunch buddies”. Visuals are a big part of social skills coaching and Robin knows that one can never have too many visuals! You are invited... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: emotional regulation, guest blogger, lunch buddies, visual supports
August 12, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ways to engage older learners with age appropriate materials? Searching for fresh ideas for AAC and language practice? Tellagami (“tell-uh-gah-mee”) is a free iOS app that allows you to create short animations, save them to your device, post to Facebook, and share them by email, SMS text, or Twitter. Best part about it, in this busy SLP’s opinion? Super easy to learn and use! The animations are called ‘Gami’s’ and are short and fun to make. The app has a good amount of flexibility and you are only limited by your imagination. Here are some ideas for putting it to use in your AAC work. 1. Choice making: The AAC learner can work collaboratively with a peer to create a Gami. In doing so, he/she can make selections of things like the gender of the character, hair, clothes, and the background. 2. Peer interactions: Many of our AAC... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Apps, choicemaking, family, Magic Moments, narratives, Tellagami