November 8, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
For AAC learners, one of the most important things we can do to facilitate communication and language growth is to ensure the presence of supportive strategies throughout the school day. Today, we turn to Project ACCESS, from the Florida Department of Education, to learn more about a tool that we can use to analyze key elements of the communication environment. The Design to Learn Environmental Inventory was created by Dr. Charity Rowland (see also the Communication Matrix) and Philip Schweigert. You can learn more about this tool, what it covers, and how to use it in this 2-part series. It was created by Project ACCESS, funded by the Florida Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, which focuses on helping educational personnel better understand the alternate achievement standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Design to Learn Environmental Inventory, Part 1 Part 2 We are grateful to the Florida DOE... [Read More...]
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: assessment, classroom
November 1, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
In most special education settings here in the US, professionals recognize the relationship between problem behavior and communication. For the most part, we’ve gotten better at acknowledging that when people hit, yell, flop to the ground, or throw materials, there’s a reason for their behavior. And many times, the behavior is a means of communicating. How do we determine what the communicative function is? How can we help the person communicate in safer, more effective ways? In today’s featured video, Laura Ferguson, of the Kentucky Autism Training Center at the University of Louisville, addresses these questions. Direct link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S7eIRvvoL0&list=PL2_i8EyveJe_UNsVzunszW3-Y3dEplws3
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: Challenging Behavior, FCT, problem behavior
October 11, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Would it be helpful to have an overview of some of the most common AT tools in classrooms? Stay tuned! Today’s post features Sharon Plante, and covers a wide range of AT tools that are used for reading, writing, executive functioning, and more. Many thanks to the Center on Technology and Disability for making this available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyfDRWatUwU
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: assistive technology, classroom, video
October 4, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for a good overview of core vocabulary? Today, we turn to the Louisiana AT Initiative for a video on this topic by SLP Sharon Edwards. After the video, you can peruse additional resources that the team curated here. Enjoy! Many thanks to Sharon and the team at the Louisiana AT Initiative for making this recording available.
Filed under: Video of the Week
September 27, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Today, we return to CoughDrop’s free online conference, AAC in the Cloud, to share one of the archived presentations. In this session, SLPs Vicki Haddix and JoClaire Merrill share their experiences and ideas on overcoming some of the barriers to effective implementation of AAC supports. Many thanks to the CoughDrop team for organizing the conference and archiving the presentations, and to Vicki and JoClaire for sharing their perspective. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIB6osi-K4w&index=22&list=PL8oiM_hsU8kYofdlpC4vcYX49yuBZvv9v —-
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: implementation, video
September 20, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
We’ve posted many times on the topic of AAC assessment and selecting the right AAC tools through the feature match process. In today’s featured video, Justin Sims from the Louisiana AT Initiative shares his thoughts on selecting AAC apps. Many thanks to Justin and the wonderful team at LATI for making this available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HrkCqOw9zg
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC apps, device selection, feature match
September 13, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Measuring progress is part of good therapy and instruction, but knowing how to address this in meaningful ways for AAC learners can be tricky. In today’s post, AAC expert Gail Van Tatenhove discusses the who, what, when, where, why, and how of AAC data collection for school-based teams. 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. Handouts for this presentation can be downloaded here. You can see more videos and material from Gail in these previous posts.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: data collection, evidence, Gail Van Tatenhove, PaTTAN
September 6, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Throughout the world, teachers, therapists, and parents are busy doing the real work of AAC. Making sure AAC materials are available all day long. Modeling language with SGDs, apps, and communication boards. Let’s take a peek into their classrooms, therapy rooms, and homes. Macomb Intermediate Schools Shared Reading Shared Reading with the Comment-Ask-Respond Strategy Sentences After School Pop-up Pirate
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: classroom, home, therapy, video
August 30, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
How do we make it feasible to implement AAC throughout the school day? Arizona-based SLP Anne Page, of Beautiful Speech Life, has some ideas for us. This presentation is packed full of prAACtical tips and was made possible by CoughDrop’s AAC in the Cloud Conference. Many thanks to Anne and to CoughDrop for sharing this positive approach to AAC in the classroom! Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohvOfkyejso&list=PL8oiM_hsU8kYofdlpC4vcYX49yuBZvv9v&index=10
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: classroom
August 23, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
We’re back for another engaging session from CoughDrop’s AAC in the Cloud conference. In today’s video, SLP Rachel Jones shares her tips for supporting core vocabulary learning in classroom settings. Enjoy! Many thanks to CoughDrop for hosting the conference and making these videos available.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: classroom, core vocabulary, school