Video of the Week: Introduction to the Communication Matrix Resources

August 31, 2022 by - 3 Comments


Video of the Week: Introduction to the Communication Matrix Resources

If you work with individuals at the earliest stages of communicative development, the Communication Matrix can be a powerful addition to your AAC toolbox. It’s been more than a decade since we first wrote about this wonderful tool and it has been exciting to see its evolution. In today’s featured video, we learn about this from Deirdre Galvin-McLaughlin who first presented this session as part of the University of Central Florida’s Echo AAC for Adults initiative. Many thanks to Deirdre and the fine team at UCF School of Communication Sciences and Disorders for creating and sharing this helpful presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8_XlZDxTqw&ab_channel=UCFAACCollaborative

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Video of the Week: Understanding Organizational Set-Ups for AAC Systems

August 10, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Understanding Organizational Set-Ups for AAC Systems

Despite the large number of AAC devices and apps available for people with complex communication needs, there are only a handful of different approaches to organizing words and messages. Understanding the difference, advantages, and disadvantages of each is a critical part of doing a good assessment and making appropriate AAC recommendations. Today, we feature a presentation on this topic by AAC/AT experts Beth Poss and Kelly Fonner. Originally offered as part of the AAC in the Cloud Conference, hosted by CoughDrop, this is a helpful video that you won’t want to miss. Many thanks to Beth and Kelly for sharing their expertise and experience, and to the fine team at CoughDrop for making this archived presentation available. You can obtain the handout for the session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef57eYip318&ab_channel=CoughDrop

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Video of the Week: Partner Assisted Scanning + Eye Gaze

August 3, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Partner Assisted Scanning + Eye Gaze

Whether you’re new to AAC or have been engaged with it for a while, it’s always helpful to see demonstrations of AAC tools and strategies. Today, we share a brief but helpful video that combines eye gaze responses with partner assisted scanning. We’re grateful to the Barnsley Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team, which is part of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, for providing such clear, succinct demonstrations. Take a look. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWlrpW5pfZQ&list=PL4X0DrAHPaTFh4_xIOkZRfysopsjjILj3&ab_channel=Barnsleyspeechandlanguagetherapy 

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Video of the Week: Making Connections Between Language, Literacy, & AAC

July 27, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Making Connections Between Language, Literacy, & AAC

If you are looking to get more comfortable in supporting language and literacy growth in AAC learners, today’s featured video by AAC SLP Tammy Thompson-Cooke should be of interest. This is a recorded session from the PaTTAN Literacy Symposium.  Many thanks to Tammy and PaTTAN for making this available for all to learn from. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaWSWorJkF0&ab_channel=PaTTAN

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Video of the Week: Helping School Staff Model AAC in the Classroom

July 20, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Helping School Staff Model AAC in the Classroom

Jill Senner and Matt Baud have contributed a great deal toward our understanding of effective ways to teach people to be better AAC partners. In today’s featured video, we share a presentation from CoughDrop’s AAC in the Cloud conference that focuses specifically on school staff. Many thanks to CoughDrop for hosting this conference and making the recordings available, and to Jill and Matt for continuing to impact our professions. You can get access to the handout for this session here. Enjoy! Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKYpGbmDIS4&ab_channel=CoughDrop

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Video of the Week: Ramps to Cognitive & Physical Access of High Tech AAC Following Acquired Brain Injury

July 13, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Ramps to Cognitive & Physical Access of High Tech AAC Following Acquired Brain Injury

How can we best support individuals with AAC needs following brain injury? In today’s featured video, SLP Jill Adlin discusses advancements and best practices for teens and adults with acquired brain injury. We thank Jill and ISAAC for creating and sharing this helpful presentation. You can obtain the handout for Jill’s webinar here.  Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_jSrr6baWg&feature=emb_imp_woyt&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29

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Video of the Week: Tangible Symbols for AAC Use

July 6, 2022 by - 1 Comment


Video of the Week: Tangible Symbols for AAC Use

For some individuals, the use of objects to represent nouns, verbs, and other words can open doors to communication and language. Today, we feature a video from the 2022 AAC in the Cloud Conference, hosted by CoughDrop. In this recorded presentation, SLP Emily Macklin introduces us to tangible symbols for AAC use and provides helpful tips for implementing them throughout the day. You can obtain the handout for this presentation here.  Many thanks to Emily and to CoughDrop for making this important information available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB1QCcPPSQc&ab_channel=CoughDrop 

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Video of the Week: Maintaining Communication Access & Encouraging Disaster Preparedness

June 29, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Maintaining Communication Access & Encouraging Disaster Preparedness

What supports are needed by individuals who use AAC so that they can communicate effectively when faced with an emergency or disaster? In today’s featured video, we gain insights on this topic from Pam Kennedy, Marcie Roth, Shaylin Sluzalis, and Germán Parodi. Many thanks to the presenters as well as to USSAAC and ISAAC for making this webinar possible and sharing the recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7QB_Srh2Po Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7QB_Srh2Po   

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Video of the Week: Funding for AAC

June 22, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Funding for AAC

How are AAC devices paid for? Who is eligible for funding for speech-generating devices? What is the process of obtaining funding to purchase AAC equipment? How can we get started? AAC SLP Carolyn Buchanan, clinical instructor at the University of Central Florida and Regional Coordinator of the FAAST Atlantic Regional Demonstration Center, answers those questions and more in today’s featured video.  Many thanks to Carolyn and FAAST for this helpful information.   Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL7iUoiXgog&ab_channel=FAAST%2CInc . 

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