August 8, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Have you run into situations where you know that aided language input is needed but found it really hard to implement? We’re pleased that AAC SLP Tabi Jones-Wohleber is back with another installment in her visual support series. In this post, she gives us suggestions for things to try when working out the nuances of aided language input. In case you missed them, here are the links to the previous posts in this series. Part 1: Visual & Environmental Countdown Part 2: Organizing Time & Tasks Part 3: Self-Regulation & Understanding Expectations Part 4: Supporting Communication Across Activities & Environments ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Visual Supports for When Modeling Communication is Hard Despite our efforts, some of the time, or with some individuals, modeling AAC to teach AAC on technology-based devices can be challenging. An individual may be in constant motion, or possessive of their device. Tech-based devices may not be sufficiently durable... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: aided language input, visual supports
August 5, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Looking to create a sustainable AAC program in your school? Today, we learn about the way one school district in Illinois created a core vocabulary initiative that has been up and running for almost a decade. Kelly Key, the Assistive Technology (AT) Coordinator for Barrington School District 220 serves as our tour guide. Kelly is passionate about giving students a voice through core vocabulary and empowering others to support students. She has been in the field for over 22 years as a special education teacher, an administrator, and AT Coordinator. Kelly presents at local, state, and national conferences and colleges on various AT topics including core vocabulary and AAC implementation. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: How We Do It: Getting to the CORE of Communication (Part 1) Rolling Out a Core Vocabulary Initiative- How this District has been going strong for a decade! The Importance of Using Core Vocabulary As we all know, individuals with complex... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: core vocabulary, How I Do It, schools
August 4, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are a handful of posts that you may have missed. Monday – PrAACtically August: AAC Resources for A Year of Core Vocabulary Words Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Reading with AAC at the Beenleigh School Thursday – PrAACtically Visual: Supporting Communication Across Activities & Environments :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: summary post
August 1, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
We’re thrilled to continue our series on visual supports, guest authored by AAC SLP Tabi Jones-Wohleber. Tabi has been an AAC service provider for many years and graciously offered to share some of her resources with our PrAACtical AAC readers. In today’s post, Tabi focuses on supplemental AAC supports that promote communication throughout the day. Be sure to download the files for the templates and resources she is sharing. In case you missed them, here are the links to the previous posts in this series. Part 1: Visual & Environmental Countdown Part 2: Organizing Time & Tasks Part 3: Self-Regulation & Understanding Expectations :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PrAACtically Visual: Visual Supports for Communication Across Activities and Environments As the near entirety of this site is dedicated to resources for AAC implementation and access for individuals with complex communication needs, I’m not going to attempt to summarize here, as I have with the other... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: downloads, Tabi Jones-Wohleber, visual supports
July 30, 2019
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 camp 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
July 29, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
The summer is zooming by here in Florida and lots of professionals and families are starting to think about heading back to school. Teachers, therapists, and aides play a pivotal role in helping AAC learners develop skills with core vocabulary so that they have a body of words that can be used across activities, environments, and communication partners. There are lots of ‘right’ ways to support these students. Among them is an instructional approach in which a new set of core words is introduced every few weeks in order to build their experiences with AAC. Our Year of Core Words materials has two versions, Set 1 (12 words/month) and Set 2 (16 words/month; Different than the previous year’s core words). If you’ve been following along, or are just getting started, these resources may be of interest. Set 1 Words: any, bring, day, fall, give, hot, job, know, other, sick, sorry, together Set 2 Words: aide,... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: A Year of Core Words, Another Year of Core Words
July 28, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts you may have missed. Monday – AAC Resources for Core Vocabulary Teaching Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: A Recipe for Summer AAC Thursday – PrAACtically Visual: Supports for Self-regulation & Understanding Expectations :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 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
Tagged With: activities, core vocabulary, self-regulation, summary post
July 25, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Looking to up your game in creating and using visual supports in your AAC work? Sit tight because the post below has plenty of information and downloadable files to help you out. Today, AAC SLP Tabi Jones-Wohleber is back to continue her series, this time focusing on supports for self-regulation and comprehending expectations for different situations. Tabi has worked in schools and early intervention supporting families, professionals, and individuals with AAC needs in West Virginia and Maryland. Tabi’s prAACtical approach to supporting AAC professionals has enriched the work of many of our readers. If you missed the initial segments in the series, you can get those here. Part 1 Part 2 Visual and Environmental Supports for Self-regulation & Understanding Expectations I hold the position that all behavior is communication. Attending to what an individual is attempting to communicate through behavior provides insight into why the behavior is occurring. And to... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: downloads, Tabi Jones-Wohleber, visual supports
July 23, 2019
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 camp 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: AAC Link Up, PrAACtical Thinking
July 22, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Let’s start the week with some downloadable resources for those of you teaching core vocabulary. Today, we’ll head to the online marketplace for educators, Teachers Pay Teachers, to check out some of the free AAC resources. Enjoy! DIY AAC Visuals Freebie (Speechy Musings) Customizing AAC Systems Top 10 Tips for Augmentative Communication Users (Susan Berkowitz) Word of the Week: Come (Sister SLPs) Visual Supports/AAC for Pizza and Birthday Cake Toys (Speech Universe) Expressing Negatives Lesson Plan (AAC Language Lab)
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: core vocabulary, downloads, resources