June 13, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
In the US, Juneteenth is one of our newest federal holidays and many are now getting ready to celebrate it. Whether you are relatively new to an understanding of Juneteenth or have been honoring it for decades, we hope today’s post has some ideas for integrating it into the AAC work you do. First published a few years back, we’ve updated it with some additional books, videos, and other resources. PrAACtically Juneteenth In the US, June 19th is a day that commemorates the ending of slavery. Although the Emancipation Proclamation became effective on January 1, 1863, it took an additional two and half years for it to take root in all of the states. It wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that Texas became the final state to uphold the proclamation. There are other days that memorialize the freedom of enslaved people, but Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration. Traditionally marked... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 9, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Holidays and special occasions are a great time to put communication into AACtion. Since it’s prAACtically Father’s Day, we’re sharing some ideas and materials that may be of interest. Set the stage for success by reading a social narrative about Father’s Day in the week leading up to the holiday. This example from Emily’s World will get you started. Use Talking to Dad Visual Supports/Worksheets by Joel Shaul at Autism Teaching Strategies to create meaningful conversations. Read some books that feature special things about fathers. Here are some suggestions to get you started. My Dad is Amazing I Love Dad with the Very Hungry Caterpillar The Night Before Father’s Day Because I’m Your Dad What Do Dads Do? Verbs, Verbs, Verbs Celebrate with a special book that you write together using these resources. My Super Dad by Miss Hellen’s Hippos. Father’s Day Flip Book by Kaitlynn Albani. Write a... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 6, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
In recent weeks, we’ve been talking about the wheel of perception and how that influences the lives of people who use AAC. Today, we’re focusing on things that AAC practitioners can do to get the perception wheels turning a positive direction. Here are some suggestions for things to try. Model High Expectations: Don’t underestimate the power you have to change other people’s perceptions of your clients/students who use AAC just by modeling the high expectations that you hold for them. Here are some examples of situations where AAC professionals did just that. Jusef seemed agitated, pacing the room and rocking forcefully. His teacher grabbed a choice board with options that typically help Jusef feel calm and regain his composure. She walked alongside him holding the board within view until he slowed and then stopped. “Let’s find something that will help you feel better,” she suggested. “We could…go get a drink... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 5, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some posts that you might like. Monday – June Year of Core Vocabulary & School Year of Core Vocabulary Words Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: 3 Keys to AAC in the IEP Thursday – School Safety Resources Friday – CAA con Links ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: While you’re here, check out some of these previously published posts. 5 Ways to Tell If Your Students are Becoming Competent Communicators A Look at PODD Books Using Visual Supports to Bring Music Alive Supports for When Modeling AAC is Hard AACtual Therapy: Use Your Best Spud to Teach Vocabulary With Tanna Neufeld How We Do It: Changing AAC Mindsets & Outcomes Engaging AAC Learners with Complex Bodies
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
June 2, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Here in the US, we celebrated Memorial Day on Monday, a time for remembering those who died in military service to our country. While we honor them and their tremendous sacrifices, it’s impossible not to be reminded of the tragic shooting that recently took the lives of so many elementary school children and their teachers. As we move through our grief we also start thinking of the practical aspects of helping children with AAC needs become better prepared for emergency situations in schools. We’ve updated these resources in hopes that they may be helpful to some of you. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Recent events, such as the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, have led us all to re-examine policies and procedures that impact school safety. Throughout the country, school communities are re-evaluating and fine-tuning their processes for keeping students and staff safe in the unlikely event of violent acts, such as... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
May 31, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Tuesday, AAC friends! Once a week we invite you to share your own AAC-related content, product news, or anything else that you’d like others in the AAC community to know about. It may be a recent post you’ve written, a slide deck from your AAC presentation, a handout, video, or meme that you’ve posted online, an AAC product you’ve created, an announcement for an AAC course or conference, or any other prAACtical content you developed and want to share with the AAC community. To post your own link, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and complete the form. Enter the URL and the name/title in the boxes provided below. If you are on a mobile device, click over to the full website version to do this. The AAC Link Up is moderated to keep us from being spammed so it may take a little... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
May 30, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Planning for comprehensive core vocabulary instruction? The Year of Core Vocabulary Words and The School Year of Core Vocabulary Words, two series of monthly resources for core vocabulary teaching, both have resources that can be helpful to therapists, educators, and families. We’re reprising those posts for anyone interested in following along and utilizing the resources developed by quite a few people in the AAC community. The initial series was based on a small set of core words for each month (see that post here). We followed that with a second set of Year of Core Vocabulary Word resources for a new list of words (click here for that post). Among the many resources are the activity calendars created by AAC SLP and co-founder of Talking AAC, Rachael Langley. There were many other contributors over the years who added to these efforts. The School Year of Core Vocabulary Words, authored by... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
May 29, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Take a look at these posts from our prAACtical week. Monday – The PrAACtical Power of the Perception Wheel Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Empowered Families in the World of AAC Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Telepractice & Remote Support for AAC :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And if you are thirsty for more, check out some past posts on activities and materials for AAC therapy and instruction. AACtivity Ideas to Jumpstart Learning Magic Moments with Verb Circus PrAACtical Ways to Make Decisions about Thematic Therapy Materials Why We Love AAC Language Experience Activities Vocabulary Activities: 5 Sites About Learning with Avatars AAC Intervention: 5 Activities with PrAACtical Potential
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
May 26, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Remote AAC support, which has been around for a while, became popular during the pandemic. While many people have returned to in-person services, the benefits of telepractice for those who do not have easy access in their local communities to AAC professionals make this an important option for some with complex communication needs. Today, we reach back into the archives to feature popular posts on this topic. Videos Telepractice for Children Who Use AAC Telepractice in AAC – Working with What You’ve Got AAC Telepractice AAC Teletherapy Activities & Tips Articles Parent Coaching & Tele-AAC How We Do It: Tele-AAC with Nerissa Hall and Hillary Johnson Growing AAC Professionals: A Virtual AAC Camp How I Do It-Strengthening our Remote AAC Sessions
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
May 23, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
In a previous post, we talked about a cycle that influences AAC learning. Depending on how things start, the cycle can develop into a downward spiral or set a more positive trend line into motion. This is something worth thinking more about. When I was a college student, I worked with a small group of men with intellectual disabilities who were leaving the residential institutions where they had lived since childhood in order to live in the community. It was a lot of responsibility for a 19-year-old but turned out to be one of the most influential experiences of my early career as an SLP. I learned a lot from Bob, who was in his early fifties and one of the most congenial people I’ve ever met. Though limited in many ways, he was truly gifted in his ability to connect with people. Bob’s twinkling eyes and strong people skills turned... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking