March 17, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
Getting good assessment information on learners with multiple disabilities, hearing, and vision loss is difficult, to say the least. Today we travel to the Netherlands to learn from Dr. Jan Van Dijk, who has pioneered an approach to working with individuals who have deafblindness. This series of webcasts, produced by Perkins School, discusses the theoretical underpinnings and practical aspects of the Van Dijk approach to child-guided assessment.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: assessment, deafblind, hearing loss, multiple disabilities, Van Dijk, vision loss
March 3, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
Video modeling is an empirically supported intervention strategy hat more of us could be using in our clinical work. This week we feature some examples of video modeling for some common communication behaviors. We love the fact that these focus on adults. Kudos to the team at Villa Esperanza Speech and Language Center for making and sharing these videos. Asking for a Break Saying Goodbye
Filed under: Video of the Week
February 24, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We’re always looking for great materials to share with colleagues and parents about topics related to AAC. This video by OCALI (the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence) has been one of our favorites. It gives a brief overview of why visual supports are so important in the educational and clinical services provided to individual with ASD and other developmental disabilities.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, clinical rationale, visual supports
February 17, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We are huge fans of using music in AAC intervention and have learned so much from talented music therapists who really understand how to use their medium to support language learning. In this video, Ryan Judd, of the Rhythm Tree, discusses why hand puppets can be such a valuable addition when singing with language learners. He demonstrates the method with a child with Williams Syndrome who is practicing the use of prepositions. It’s clear that this strategy has lots of prAACtical potential. –
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: music, music therapy, puppets, singing
February 10, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
In this week’s video, Dr. Melanie Fried-Oken discusses how AAC can benefit individuals who are losing their language abilities due to Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). She reviews the disorder, provides great examples, and clearly explains AAC strategies that can be used to support these patients. We love the skillful way in which Dr. Fried-Oken balances current research with prAACtical guidelines for goals and therapy in this helpful video.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: aphasia, primary progressive aphasia
February 3, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We are honored to share this talk by the late Dr. Ted Carr, who was a giant in the area of positive behavior support. In this guest lecture, he discusses basic underpinnings in challenging behavior in individuals with ASD and provides his vision of what it will take for major advancements in treatment to occur.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: ASD, Challenging Behavior
January 27, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
Reuben explores this topic and finds words of wisdom expressed by people who speak in many ways. But mostly, he guides each of us to ask ourselves “What kind of listener am I?”
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: comprehend, first person account, interaction, interview, listening
January 20, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
The research base for using video modeling as a tool to help AAC learners understand what to do is well-documented. The folks at SCAAC-N make it look easy! Here are a few that they shared for communicating while doing a job (shredding paper). Asking for ‘more’ Asking for a break Asking for help Want to know more about using video modeling in your own practice? Here’s a great resource document from the National Professional Development Center on ASD. Want more info on how to do this with mobile technology? Tony Gentry from Autism Center at Virginia Commonwealth University explains in this video.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: EBP, mobile device, video modeling
January 13, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We’re big fans of visual supports and strategies that help individuals with AAC needs have a clear understanding of what is being expected of them. This video demonstrates a simple countdown board (called a visual timer here) that is used to show the AAC learners how much they need to do before moving onto another activity. Sue King, the teacher who made this video and blogs at TeacherSpace, did a great job of clearly explaining how to use a countdown board. We also love the prAACtical way that Ms. King individualizes the countdown board based on a learner’s individual interests. We’re ready to make some based on coffee, or maybe chocolates of the world. Who’s in?
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: countdown board, positive behavioral supports, visual support
January 6, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
Although we are eager to get our AAC learners communicating with symbols, there are some times when we have to intervene at the prelinguistic level. Goals at this level center on communicating intentionally using overt behaviors, such as pointing, reaching, showing, and leading. We try to provide them with many opportunities to learn and practice these behaviors. Today, we’d like to share a set of brief videos from the website on Literacy for Children with Combined Hearing and Vision Loss. Because literacy develops from a good foundation in communication, the site demonstrates intervention designed to teach early communication skills. As you watch each of these videos, look for how the interventionist does these 7 things: Uses a context that is meaningful to the child Communicates warmly and enthusiastically, but does not overwhelm the learner Focuses on a single target behavior Uses language to label what is happening Provides physical guidance... [Read More...]
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: deafblind, hearing loss, prelinguistic, vision loss