Video of the Week: Text-based AAC

December 22, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Text-based AAC

What is available for people with complex communication needs who are literate and want a text-based AAC app? In today’s featured video, AT Specialists Terri Rosen and Elizabeth Barry, from the Pacer Center, give us an idea of the issues and options. You can access their handouts here. Slide handout Resource List Many thanks to Terri, Elizabeth, and the Pacer Center for this helpful information. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LEUNQk5cuo&t=2593s&ab_channel=SimonPacer 

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Video of the Week: AAC & Board Games

December 15, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: AAC & Board Games

If you work with families that have a Game Night tradition or if you use games in your therapy and instruction, today’s featured video is one you might want to see. SLPs Heather Prenovost and Brittany Toney have plenty of ideas on how to promote AAC use while playing popular board games. This is part of PRC Saltillo’s Stepping Stones to AAC series and has lots of prAACtical suggestions for AAC implementation. You can check out their other resources below. Interactive slide Manual communication board AAC planning worksheet  Many thanks to Heather, Brittany, and Saltillo for creating and hosting this video.  Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTzGT6edSyI&ab_channel=Saltillo 

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Video of the Week: AAC Options for People Who Speak

December 8, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: AAC Options for People Who Speak

As we all know, AAC is not a one-size-fits-all propositive and there are many, many ways to communicate. Today, we feature a video from Emily, who runs the Autisaurus YouTube channel. Take a look as they explain the different tools they use when speech is inaccessible or too taxing. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLakKolxaX8&ab_channel=autisaurus

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Video of the Week: Assessing Classroom AAC Practices

December 1, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


Assessing Classroom AAC Practices

How can we help students who have complex communication needs be successful in the classroom? In today’s featured video, AAC expert Gail Van Tatenhove helps us think through various classroom practices and consider their implications for students who use AAC. The video is part of the Power AAC initiative at PaTTAN. Many thanks to their wonderful AT Team and to Gail for this wonderful presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.pattan.net/videos/poweraac-module-2-assess-classroom-practices 

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Video of the Week: Using Google Action Blocks to Support Communication

November 10, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Using Google Action Blocks to Support Communication

A few months back, we invited Charlie Danger, an OT/ATP from The Children’s Trust, to introduce us to Google Action Blocks. (You can see that post here.) Today, we turn to an archived webinar from CALL Scotland at the University of Edinburgh to learn more about this and see Google Action Blocks in AACtion. This free resource is incredibly flexible and can support communication and independence for people with disabilities. Many thanks to Charlie and The Children’s Trust for making and sharing this helpful video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_-1rpQLjM8&ab_channel=callscotland1983

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Video of the Week: Implementing Comprehensive Literacy Instruction for Students Who Use AAC

November 3, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Implementing Comprehensive Literacy Instruction for Students Who Use AAC

Parents and professionals often share an interest in helping students who use AAC learn to read and write. The book Comprehensive Literacy Instruction for All (Erickson & Koppenhaver, 2019) presents a framework for literacy instruction with students who have significant disabilities. In today’s video, we feature special educator and AT specialist Sharon Redmon who discusses her experiences in implementing this approach with students who use AAC.  Many thanks to Sharon and to the Special Education Technology Center (SETC) at Central Washington University for this helpful presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg6CHWUT0XY&ab_channel=SETCSpecialEducationTechnologyCenter

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AAC Video of the Week: Getting to Know You

October 27, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


AAC Video of the Week: Getting to Know You

There has been a wonderful shift over the last few years highlighting an important foundational concept in supporting people who use AAC: Communication serves to connect us. Although in writing goals and planning therapy/instruction, we focus on component skills like communicating for a range of different purposes and expanding vocabulary, we can never lose sight of the role that AAC can play in helping build connections between people. In today’s featured video, Heather Prenovost and Brittany Toney remind us of that as discuss ways to support AAC learning in informal conversations designed for people to get to know each other. You can download their interactive background slide with clickable links here. Here are links to other resources mentioned in the recording: Manual Communication Board, Organization Tool,  Reference Sheet Many thanks to Heather, Brittany, and PRC Saltillo for creating and sharing this helpful video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-VBMcXAp3g&ab_channel=Saltillo 

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Video of the Week: Relationships and AAC

October 20, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Relationships and AAC

“The lack of connection is by far the most difficult part of having a communication disability.” It is hard to overstate the value of learning from people who use AAC. Today, we are pleased to share an archived webinar from USSAAC and ISAAC featuring Lance McLemore, who began using AAC as a young adult. In this video, Lance shares his story and provides a unique perspective that is important for AAC service providers to hear. You can access the handout for this session here. Many thanks to USSAAC, ISAAC, and the presenters for making this important information available to all. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGdvWG1ySVI&t=10s&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29   

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Video of the Week: This Is Not About Me

October 13, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: This Is Not About Me

In celebration of AAC Awareness Month and all those who communicate with the help of AAC, we’re pleased to feature a new video that is being released today. This Is Not About Me is the story of Jordyn Zimmerman, a college student with autism who uses AAC. While we’re only able to share a short snippet, we hope that it entices you to rent the full-length version to view. All proceeds go to Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), CommunicationFIRST, and Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism. Don’t miss this one, AAC friends. Direct Link to Video – https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thisisnotaboutme

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