September 5, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
“He has an AAC device but he doesn’t use it much.” “I have great toys but she doesn’t seem to like any of them.” “How can I build language if he doesn’t want to interact with me?” “The only time she uses her SGD is to ask for things.” Connecting with clients who are beginning to use AAC and helping them use their communication tools is a challenge in some clinical and educational settings. Today, we revisit a session from CoughDrop’s 2nd Annual AAC in the Cloud conference held last spring, to get some prAACtical advice about building engagement and interaction. In our featured video, SLP Chana Feinstein of All Kinds of Voices provides concrete suggestions that will help our beginning communicators want to communicate and use their AAC devices for a variety of purposes. We are grateful to CoughDrop for hosting this wonderful conference and allowing us all to... [Read More...]
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC implementation, beginning communicator, Chana Feinstein, CoughDrop, intervention strategies
August 29, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ways to better support older students with autism and related disabilities? Stay tuned because Kate Love, Autism Specialist with the Colorado Department of Education, has practical suggestions that may be of interest. The Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) of Kansas generously shares this along with a number of other wonderful resources. In this video, Ms. Love discusses several ways to implement research-supported strategies, including visual supports, with students in middle and high school. You can download the handout for this presentation using the link below or by clicking here. Direct Link to Video: https://www.ksdetasn.org/resources/793
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, TASN, visual supports
August 22, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
By bus, train, or subway, people with AAC needs have places to go and things to do. Today’s video features a successful effort in Victoria, Australia to provide communication access in public life. In this video, we see an example of how transportation agencies worked with Scope’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre to better meet the communication needs of people who use AAC. You can read more about their Communication Access program here. Many thanks to Scope, Public Transport Victoria, V/Line, and ISAAC for making this video available. It is sure to inspire similar efforts throughout the world. You can download some of the communication materials here. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TELuzDlgqo
Filed under: Video of the Week
August 15, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ways to help your team strengthen their AAC practices? Lots of families and professionals are on a journey to provide better AAC support and today’s featured video has information and tips that may help. You can get the handouts for this presentation here. Many thanks to Stephanie Reed and Saltillo for making this available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvX8Y-pi5Ws
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC implementation, implementation
August 8, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
What better way to help local businesses become more AAC-friendly than to have people who use AAC every day teach them to use supportive strategies? Today’s video features the Thumbs Up Communication in Action group supported by Dr. Shannon Hennig’s Inclusive Communication in Wellington, New Zealand. Follow along in their journey as they advocate for more inclusive interactions in a community business and take a peek at this experience of effective self-advocacy. Many thanks to the group members, Dr. Hennig, and to ISAAC for making this video available. You can see more of Dr. Hennig’s work here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pkDvybXq1c
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: community, self-advocacy
August 1, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
From the heights of a Ferris Wheel to fun places to shop, the Variety Western Australia Teen Motor Mouth Campers show us their stuff in this wonderful video which was presented recently at the 2018 ISAAC Conference. “AAC goes everywhere.” Indeed. Enjoy the laughter, smiles, and successes of Let’s Hit the Town. Many thanks to Variety WA Teen Motor Mouth Camp and ISAAC for this gem of a video! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNAzF6tKOb
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: camp, community, teens
July 25, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
There’s no better way to start the day than with a little music. In today’s featured video, we get a behind the scenes look at The Bliss iBand. You can learn more about this wonderful group here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1BjNYX7cbs
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: band, Bliss, Blissymbols, music
July 18, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Last month, CoughDrop held the 2018 AAC in the Cloud conference, offering 3 tracks of presentations and online discussions with the presenters. I was thrilled to find this ‘meaty’ session by Amy Goldman, Technical Assistance Specialist and AAC SLP, at the National AT Act Technical Assistance and Training Center. Amy is a tireless advocate for AAC and has shared some of her work here in the area of emergency preparedness and on the activities of the NJC. In this video, she gives us a solid overview of the IEP as it relates to AAC and AT. There’s something to learn even if you’ve already done a lot of work around the topic of AAC and the IEP. Many thanks to CoughDrop for putting on another wonderful, online conference and offering it to the AAC community without charge, and to Amy for sharing such valuable information. Enjoy! Direct Link to video... [Read More...]
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: education, IEP, schools
July 11, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for simple ways to explain what AAC is and what it might look like for people with different communication needs? In today’s post, we feature some short and simple videos created by CALL Scotland that may be helpful (click here). Enjoy! Note: Videos may take awhile to play but can be downloaded for faster playback.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: multimodal communication, video
July 4, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Here in the US, we are celebrating Independence Day. Let’s kick it off with The ABC’s of Independence by Beth Moulam. Click on the image below to watch the video. A few years ago, Snoopy Botten, who sings using his AAC device, put new words to an old tune. Have a safe holiday, AAC friends!
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: 4th of July, alphabet book, independence