July 8, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Whether you are in a part of the world that is re-opening or still hunkering down in relative isolation, we can all use a little diversion. In today’s featured video, SLP Shaun Pearson covers ways that we can use board games, role-playing games, and story-based games to support language learning by individuals with AAC needs. If you are looking to add some fun activities to the lives of the AAC learners with whom you work, you’ll find a lot of creative suggestions in this video which was hosted by ISAAC Canada and offered with the support of ISAAC. Resources for digitally adapted games and printable materials are also shared. You can obtain the slides for this session here and view additional resources here. Many thanks to Shaun for this engaging presentation, to ISAAC Canada for organizing and hosting it, and to ISAAC for their support of this webinar series. Enjoy!... [Read More...]
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: Games & Gaming, Leisure & Hobbies
July 1, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
It is always a treat to learn from Erin Sheldon, and her recent presentation for the 2020 AAC in the Cloud conference is no exception. In this video, Erin helps think about effective ways that we can support the transition to post-school life for young people with significant communication challenges. You can obtain the handouts for this session here and learn more from Erin here. We’re deeply grateful to Erin for this wonderful session and to the amazing team at Cough Drop for another fantastic virtual conference. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lwv9c3cotE&feature=emb_logo
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: emerging/beginning communicators, self-sdvocacy & self-determination, transition
June 24, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
What is the role of core vocabulary and aided language input for communicators who are not yet using symbols to express themselves? SLP Kathryn Dorney, from the Center for Disability and Literacy Studies at the University of North Carolina, provides a perspective in this archived presentation. It is part of the webinar series offered by USSAAC with the support of ISAAC. You can view the handout for this session here. Many thanks to Kathryn, USSAAC, & ISAAC for making this presentation available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=24&v=hhIEoPpoR-k&feature=emb_logo
Filed under: Video of the Week
June 17, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
How can we help communication partners use more facilitative strategies during AAC interactions? AT Specialist and SLP Chris Bugaj helps us better understand how we can use practice and coaching to support the growth of communication partners. Many thanks to Chris and New Jersey’s Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) for creating this content and making it available to AAC stakeholders throughout the world. You can download the handout for this session here or scan the QR code in the image below. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5IZv6rMNBw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1QtHDiTuJVL8V6kmuvFo8poDgFoqTVIq0_jRgSKPCuP1XN18iQcktORi0
Filed under: Video of the Week
June 10, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Do you have a formal process for identifying how AAC communicators interact with the people who are part of their daily experiences? If not, you may want to add this tool to your AAC assessment protocol: Social Networks, A Communication Inventory for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs and their Communication Partners. In today’s video, we feature AAC pioneer Dr. Sarah Blackstone discussing this well-established tool and how to implement it. The video is an archived webinar done for the ECHO Voices initiative from the Oregon Technology Access Program (OTAP). You can download the handout for this session here. We are grateful to Dr. Blackstone and the OTAP ECHO Voices Team for hosting this wonderful presentation and making it freely available to the global AAC community. Direct Link to Video – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FEvPWsBeJH80_kGYt8Z5YthP2l0M-3_2/view
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC assessment, partners
June 3, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Engaging with the activity at hand is an important piece of the learning plan, but it’s not something that comes easily to all AAC learners. In today’s featured video, OT Karen Kangas helps us understand some of the factors that help learners with complex bodies engage and focus in instructional activities. Many thanks to Karen and the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) for making this valuable information accessible. Accessing AAC: Competence Through the Lens of Activity and Engagement Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYrdA8H7yL8&list=PLCkBP2csbOsstD9Wga4bgj-ZK0-zcRLkr&index=10&t=0s You can learn more from Karen here.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: access, attention, engagement
May 27, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
We’re so glad to have AAC SLP and AT Specialist Lauren Enders back on these pages. This time, it’s an archived video of a webinar that she presented for PRC-Saltillo. Enjoy Make It Fun! Activity Ideas for Jumpstarting AAC Learning. Direct link to video – https://youtu.be/kJPKMAETbyY Many thanks to Lauren and PRC-Saltillo for creating and sharing this wonderful presentation.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC activities, implementation tips
May 13, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for materials that you can use for staff and parent training on basic AAC concepts? Rebecca Eisenberg of Language During Mealtime created a set of short explainer videos on several AAC topics that can be used in remote support or in-person training. Take a look. Using an iPad for Communication Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNGwlKNxLuk&list=PL-VC-d9SJoOS0ZAPnVCX7GV5FSFM_NW-A&index=5 Tips for AAC Device Refusal Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgNo_A8ZtSM&list=PL-VC-d9SJoOS0ZAPnVCX7GV5FSFM_NW-A&index=6 Core and Fringe Vocabulary Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEO6oGxm0Os&list=PL-VC-d9SJoOS0ZAPnVCX7GV5FSFM_NW-A&index=1 Prompting Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNGwlKNxLuk&list=PL-VC-d9SJoOS0ZAPnVCX7GV5FSFM_NW-A&index=5 Communication Functions Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7xjAm-XXP0&list=PL-VC-d9SJoOS0ZAPnVCX7GV5FSFM_NW-A&index=4
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: communication functions, core vocabulary, fringe vocabulary, iPad, prompting, refusal
May 6, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Young or old, working or not, parent or professional. We could all use some good news these days so when Chris Bugaj reached out about his parody of John Krasinski’s YouTube show Some Good News, we knew it had to be shared. Enjoy some Good AAC News! You can learn more about Co-VidSpeak, including how to access it, here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSVI2yEbf2M&feature=youtu.be
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC app, co-vid
April 29, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Implementation challenges are a frequent reality in serving students with AAC needs across the age and ability levels. In today’s post, we feature two videos from AbleNet University that share a process for addressing some of those challenges. AT Expert and Special Education Consultant Kelly Fonner explains a team approach to supporting AAC implementation, Environmental Communication Training. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKcnUoLCRLw You can view the second training in this series here. Many thanks to Kelly and to AbleNet for these fine presentations. You can learn more from Kelly here.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC implementation, Environmental Communication Training