Making Libraries Inclusive

December 2, 2012 by - Leave your thoughts


Making Libraries Inclusive Video

Making libraries inclusive for EVERYONE!  Here are some great suggestions for helping libraries welcome everyone.  Library visits are great experiences to help build literacy skills, vocabulary, and just to enjoy topics of interest. They are great for rainy or super cold days.  Hope you get to enjoy your local library this winter and always.  

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Pillow Talk: Mounting iPads/Tablets for Use in Bed

November 25, 2012 by - Leave your thoughts


Pillow Talk: Mounting iPads/Tablets for Use in Bed

We communicate whenever we’re awake, but sometimes it takes some creativity to find ways to provide AAC access when communicators are not in their main seating systems. It’s always a challenge to figure out mounting strategies so that communication options, whether they are no tech, low tech, or high tech, are always available. This video from the INDATA Project demonstrates an iPad/tablet mount from Charger City that can be used in bed. How cool would it be to use the iPad or Tablet for: Interacting while reading bedtime stories Having a little conversation about the day using the picture schedule app Saying prayers or talking about dreams Watching and listening to some meditation music/images Going over the schedule for the next day Independently reading a book before bed Pleading for ‘just one more’ story, kiss, song, or drink of water We’d love to hear your ideas on other ways to... [Read More...]

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A PrAACtical Look at the Incredible 5-Point Scale

November 18, 2012 by - Leave your thoughts


A PrAACtical Look at the Incredible 5-Point Scale

In an earlier post we listed some of our favorite strategies that aren’t as widely used as they could be in AAC intervention. Among them, was qualitative rating scales, or Likert-type scales. We use them for a variety of purposes and love their potential for expressive communication. – In this video, from From Autism and Tertiary Behavior Supports Project of the Kansas Technical Assistance Network, you’ll learn one way of using simple rating scales to help people with ASD regulate their own behavior. We like the detailed implementation information presented in The Incredible 5-point Scale. –

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Hearing the Whispers

November 4, 2012 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Hearing the Whispers

Recently, I had a great conversation with an insightful SLP/AT specialist about how to best help professionals who just seem more committed to being right than to helping students with AAC needs succeed. It’s a complex issue, to be sure, with no quick fixes or easy answers (as all of you know). But sitting there on her roof deck, watching the waves, and sipping some New Zealand wine did inspire us to find one small piece of the puzzle. – It’s about vision. Not the sensory type of vision, but the imagination type of vision. As in envisioning the possibilities. A vision of successful implementation. A peek into ‘what could be’ for the children and adults we serve. Something we don’t get enough of. – Seeing examples of good AAC and AT implementation is inspiring. Not only do they give us hope, but they imbue a sense of urgency. They... [Read More...]

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Video of the Week: Helping Hands + Visual Supports

October 21, 2012 by - Leave your thoughts


Helping Hands Download

We love this idea from Amy Laurent about Helping Hands, a positive and proactive way for children to get help when they need it. The strategy involves placing a visual support, such as a picture of Helping Hands, around the classroom in places where the student is likely to need assistance. Her Helping Hands video explains it in more detail. We love the proactive nature of this strategy, which aims to prevent frustration, rather than waiting for a problem to occur. We took a stab at creating some visual supports that can be used with the Helping Hands strategy, and you can download it below.

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Creative Uses of the iPod for Students Who Use AAC

October 14, 2012 by - Leave your thoughts


Creative Uses of the iPod for Students Who Use AAC

Just when we think we’ve ‘seen it all,’ along comes another set of ideas for how to use technology to support kids with limited communication skills. In this week’s video, we peek in at what’s going on at the Special School District of Saint Louis County. Hats off to this team of creative professionals for getting the most out of their iPods! We love how their ideas save time for the teacher, enhance student learning, and extend communication to the home. Looks like a win-win-win situation for the classroom, family, and student.

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