February 16, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
AAC professionals know that you can’t have too many parent-friendly AAC training videos at your disposal so that you have just the right one to share with families who are ready to expand what they know about AAC. Today, we learn from Robert Woodbury, special educator and AT Specialist at Cache County School District in Utah. Many thanks to Robert and the team at the Utah Parent Center for creating this video and making it available. Take a look. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbbS4Wei1Ok&t=6s&ab_channel=UtahParentCenter You can find other videos by the Cache County AT Team here.
Filed under: Video of the Week
February 9, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
How can we support the alternative access needs of individuals who aren’t all that eager to engage in the assessment process? Occupational therapist Michelle Lange shares her thoughts and tips in this archived webinar from AbleNet. You can access the handout for this presentation here. Many thanks to Michelle and to AbleNet for this helpful content. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCRPhnXSo50&ab_channel=ableUOn-demandProfessionalDevelopment
Filed under: Video of the Week
February 2, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Need an engaging way to help communication partners understand some of the basics of interacting with students who use AAC? Check out this brief video from Daniel Adler and his SLP colleagues (with support from Jessica Kessler-Rizzo), all of whom work at New York public schools. Many thanks to Daniel, Esther Adler, Kathryn D’Agostino Russo, Stavroula Economou, Liz Foehr, Alysha Kaufman, & Tiffany Marino for creating and sharing it and to all of the student actors who participated in this helpful video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-oSjIJv17M
Filed under: Video of the Week
January 26, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
There are lots of simple things that we can do to make interacting with AAC users interesting, fun, and respectful. In today’s featured video, Clare McGuire and her friends share some tips. A student at Martinsville High School in Indiana, Clare partnered with the Patins Project to create this video as part of her community service. Many thanks to Clare and the team at the PATINS Project for this helpful video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upu9398-MZ0&ab_channel=PATINSProject
Filed under: Video of the Week
January 19, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Do you encounter individuals with low vocal volume secondary to a physical or medical condition? Voice amplifiers can help conserve energy which is important for some people with conditions like ALS. In today’s featured video, Dr. Wendy Olsen reviews some key issues in decision–making and shares information about various options that are commercially available. Many thanks to Dr. Olsen and the Florida Chapter of the ALS Association for this helpful information. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC3oZ2i-FnQ&ab_channel=ALSAssociationFloridaChapter
Filed under: Video of the Week
January 12, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some tips on implementing eye gaze AAC? In today’s featured video Katelyn Oeser and Brenda Del Monte from the Special Education Technology Center (SETC) cover really useful information in this short video. Many thanks to SETC and the presenters – Katelyn and Brenda – for this helpful presentation. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eGMnaFkptc&ab_channel=SETCSpecialEducationTechnologyCenter
Filed under: Video of the Week
January 5, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Processing our feelings and emotional states can be tricky even without the presence of a disability. But when the individual has complex communication needs, some additional supports can be beneficial. Today, we feature a recorded webinar, presented by Akila Vaidyanathan and hosted by Avaz, on this topic. Many thanks to Akila and Avaz for creating this helpful video and making it available to us all. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_tyl67tKhg&ab_channel=Avaz%2CInc
Filed under: Video of the Week
December 29, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Today’s generation of speech generating devices offers unprecedented power and flexibility. How can we maximize an individual’s interest in using them to share their thoughts and ideas? AAC specialist Vicki Clarke, of Dynamic Therapy Associates and DTA Schools, suggests that we start by customizing their AAC tools with personally relevant vocabulary and symbols. Take a look. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDPkK5w4M_8&ab_channel=VickiClarke%26AACChicksatDTASchools
Filed under: Video of the Week
December 22, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
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
Filed under: Video of the Week
December 15, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
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
Filed under: Video of the Week