July 25, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts you might have missed. Monday – AAC Parking Spots Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Building an AAC Culture in Schools Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Thinking About Assessment :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Here are a few more to explore before you go. Why We Love Language Experience Activities 5 Things to Do If You’re Not Confident Teaching Core Vocabulary Building Sentence Length through Conversational Routines & Games 5 Quick & Easy Games That Build AAC Skills 5 Ways to Promote Generalization of AAC Use Have a great week, AAC friends!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 22, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Need some tips for conducting good AAC assessments? Today we look back at some detailed posts on AAC assessment practices from Vicki Clarke’s series, AAC Assessment Corner. Enjoy! Ready, SETT, AAC Evaluate! AAC Skills Assessment for Direct Selectors Standardized Tests For AAC Users AAC Assessment for Emergent Communicators The Eyes Have It-Assessment Considerations for High Tech Eye Gaze Access Is AAC Feature Matching Still Relevant? Thinking Inside the Box for AAC Evaluations Procedural Resources Evaluating Skills for Use of Comprehensive AAC Dynamic Display SGDs Language Representation Elements – Noun Symbol Use for Functional Communication
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 19, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
As AAC practitioners well know, the ideal place for an SGD or communication board/book is on or near the communicator at all times. They may wear the device on a harness, carry it with a strap or handle, or have it mounted on a wheelchair so that it is easily accessible throughout the day. It’s clear: The best situation is for the device to be within arm’s reach of the communicator at all times. In the real world, however, it can take years to turn this best practice into a reality. In the meantime, it can help to find a space in each room or section of the classroom where the device will ‘live’ when not in use. What’s an AAC Parking Spot? Simply put, this refers to a designated place for the AAC device in each room of your home or each section of your classroom. When the AAC... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 18, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We’ve rounded up some posts that may be of interest. Monday – Customizing Core Boards: 3 Initial Steps to Consider Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Inclusive Education for Students with AAC Needs Thursday – PrAACtical Resources: AAC-friendly Materials for Hurricane & Storm Preparation :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Before you go, here are a few of Karen Natoci’s popular literacy-focused posts to check out. PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Yo! Yes? PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: The Family Book PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Hello Baby PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: The Five Senses PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Are You My Mother?
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 15, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
We’re well into hurricane season here in South Florida and so we’re thinking about ways to support people with significant communication challenges. We can’t predict when extreme weather or other natural disasters will strike, but we can prepare. Here are a few resources that you might find helpful. Reassuring Books About Storms for Children by Heather at Books & Giggles It is Hurricane Season by Autism Educators Preparing for Natural Disasters by Smarty Symbols Hurricane Preparation by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) What Is A Hurricane? by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Tornado Vocabulary by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Storm Social Narrative by Sandy K via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Storm Surge Narrative by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Webinar on Disaster Preparedness for People with Complex... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 12, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Core boards have gained popularity as an on-ramp to AAC in classrooms and therapy centers, and can be a valuable way to bolster implementation in those settings. AAC users need and deserve to use communication tools that reflect their individuality, though, so these are generally seen as a stepping stone to an approach that uses assessment data to make AT decisions. In the meantime, how can we ensure that the core boards we use are functional for the complex AAC learners we serve? Here are three areas to consider addressing. Vision: If the AAC learner has visual difficulties, it’s important to determine what changes need to be made so that they can see and use the core board. In collaboration with a vision specialist who knows the AAC learner’s needs and abilities, the team should consider things like: The size of the individual symbols and words, Optimizing color and contrast, ... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 11, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts you may have missed. Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: MASTER PAL Modules 6-7 Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Looking at AAC Language Learning Activities ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: While you’re here sample some of these offerings from our series entitled PrAACtical Supports for Older Learners: AT Recipes for Success. Each one has a downloadable handout of home extension activities for teens and adults. Let’s Cook! Magazines and Nailpolish Computer Have a great week, everyone!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 8, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
What are the language learning priorities for the AAC users in your life? Expanding vocabulary? Increasing sentence length and complexity? Using a greater range of communicative functions? Applying morphological markers? Given the heterogeneity of our AAC learners, it’s no surprise that the language goals we address are just as diverse. Today, we dig through the archives to highlight activities that can be used to target an array of language learning objectives. Browse through the list to see if you can find some that are of use in your AAC work. 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... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 4, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. And Happy Independence Day to those here in the US. We have some posts that you may have missed in your busy week. Monday – PrAACtically July – AAC Resources for A Year of Core Words Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Breaking Down Ableism in AAC Thursday – Growing AAC Professionals: Resources for Self-Advocacy, Reducing Abandonment, Medical Encounters, & More Friday – PráctiCAAmente Conectados Con Links – Julio 2021 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: In the mood for some more AAC browsing? We have a few suggestions for you. 5 Ways to Support Self-Advocacy in AAC Learners How We Do It: Using AAC to Repair Communication Breakdowns PrAACtically SLPs: Hungry for Bilingual AAC 5 Kinds of Pre-stored Messages That Put the AAC Learner in Control PrAACtical Perspectives: Randomness & AAC
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
July 2, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
AAC friends, if you’re interested in AAC materials in Spanish, please check out the content in this list and feel free to add your own. In addition to these resources, you may also enjoy learning about the work of Wendy Moreno, a parent of an AAC user in Mexico. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Estamos comenzando Julio compartiendo links en español, continuamos nuestro recorrido por el mundo conociendo experiencias de CAA en español, esta vez llegamos a México donde Wendy Moreno, nos comparte sus reflexiones y vivencias. PREGUNTAS AUMENTATIVAS Y RESPUESTAS ALTERNATIVAS ¿Qué pasaría si un día, tan sólo un día, nuestra comunicación se limitará a responder preguntas cerradas sin hacer uso de nuestra voz? Seguramente algo se nos ocurrirá para darnos a entender. Pero ¿qué pasa cuando la misma pregunta se la hacemos a una persona que, por su discapacidad, presenta necesidades complejas de comunicación? Muchos, podríamos conformarnos con: “responde a un sí ... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking