May 6, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
All around the world, students with AAC needs are increasingly afforded the tools and supports that they need to build effective communication skills. Today, we travel to England to peek into a classroom at the Milestone School in Gloucestershire. One thing that I just love about this video is that the adults honor and model multiple modes of communication. AAC devices are wonderful, but we can’t get so focused on them that we forget the important role that gestures, vocalizations and manual signs can play. Take a look. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HygplCyZtoA
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: classroom, manual signs, Multimodal, schools
April 29, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
To wrap up Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, we turn to the Autism Internet Modules, created by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ellen Franzone introduces us to a comprehensive look at SGDs and their application with people who have ASD. You may have to register to access the site, but the information is worth the extra effort. Also, don’t miss the downloadable resources, such as this SGD Implementation Checklist. Direct Link: http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/mod_intro.php?mod_id=35 Franzone, E., & Collet-Klingenberg, L. (2010). Speech generating devices for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. Madison: The University of Wisconsin, The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Waisman Center.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AIM, ASD, SGD
April 22, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
If you work in educational settings, there’s a good possibility and you and and your colleagues have had many conversations around the topic of progress monitoring. Progress monitoring in an approach to assessing student performance and evaluating the effectiveness of instruction. How does that apply to students who use AAC and other AT? Today, we hear from Elizabeth Panek on that very topic. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Education and PaTTAn for making this available.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: assessment, education, PaTTAN, progress monitoring, schools
April 15, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
It’s so important for those of us who teach AAC to hear directly from the people who use those tools and strategies on a daily basis. In this week’s video, Vic Valentic, who served as the ISAAC Leadership Chair for People Who Use AAC, shares a bit about the role of AAC in his life at home, school, and work. You can see some more of Vic’s work here.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC user, Vic Valentic
April 8, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
“But my student can speak. Why would we use AAC?” We often get this question from our fellow SLPs, particularly those who work with students who have autism. From the question alone, it seems like AAC is not needed, and would be a step backward for this particular student. But what happens when we dig a little deeper? The last time this question was posed to me, it was about Marcella, an 8 year old with ASD. As the conversation progressed, we learned more about Marcella’s communication profile. Independently, she uses 2-3 word sentences to ask for things she wants (e.g., “Want that popsicle.” “More Dora”) and single words to protest (“No!”). With prompting Marcella uses 1-2 words for greeting (e.g., “Hi Tony”), labelling (e.g., “Dora book”), answer questions, (e.g., “here,” “sunny”) and a few other social purposes. So, what’s the problem? For starters, Marcella is capable of more. In... [Read More...]
Filed under: Video of the Week
April 1, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
To kick off Autism Awareness and Acceptance month, we turn to a video on AAC and ASD. Thanks to Michael McSheehan and the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire for this helpful video. https://vimeo.com/album/2645578/video/97834273
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, University of New Hampshire
March 25, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
There is so much to love about this wonderful video from Lindy McDaniel, preschool teacher and author of the fabulous blog, The Considerate Classroom. It is such fun to watch her introduce little Lilly to a new communication aid and assist her in getting comfortable with expanded vocabulary options. From the way she engages with her student, to her use of aided language input, to her skill in behavior management, to the way that she supports the student in interacting with unfamiliar partners, this is a video to savor. Enjoy!
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: aided language input, Lindy McDaniel, PODD, schools
March 18, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Public libraries have so much to offer, but people with AAC needs sometimes need instruction and support to be successful in using and enjoying the books and other resources. There is much to love about this series of videos that shows the Dreamweavers building skills in that area. Follow along with this great team as they do a scavenger hunt, talk about the books they are finding, read magazines, talk with librarians, and more.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: Dreamweavers, library
March 11, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
When people who use AAC participate in team or committee meetings, they are generally welcomed by others in attendance. That’s a great start, but for the experience to be successful, we have to go beyond good intentions and use solid inclusive practices so that the group benefits from the perspective or information shared by the person using AAC. Helping people with AAC needs be full participants in team and other group meetings is an area where SLPs can make a positive impact. In this video by Communication Disabilities Access Across Canada, we learn how we can go beyond supporting the individual who uses AAC (which may be necessary but not sufficient) and help the team develop good practices for inclusive practices.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: Communication Disabilities Access Canada, inclusion, meetings, participation, self-advocacy
March 4, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
Want to learn more about using AAC with young children? That is the topic for today’s video, presented by Dr. Rae Sonnenmeier of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. She discusses key issues and reviews a 5-step process for helping the little ones develop communication through AAC. https://vimeo.com/91725812
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: early intervention, intervention, young children