82 Search Results for motivation
May 8, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Motivating clients to use and learn more about their AAC systems can sometimes be a challenge, particularly if the learner has had decades of life experience before being introduced to AAC. In this post, we welcome SLP Samantha Weatherford, who works in the areas of early intervention and adult rehabilitation. She blogs at So To Speak regarding the educational, professional, and clinical processes of becoming an SLP. She resides in Delaware with her cat Simon, and took some time to share her thoughts about helping adult clients get motivated to use AAC. On Motivation and AAC Have you ever started the AAC training and trialing process with an adult client and realized, “This person is just not interested in being here or doing this?” Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like this happens quite often. I would never rule-out the possibility for AAC eligibility as a result of an... [Read More...]
September 5, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
In a previous post, guest author Sara Ware shared a tool for progress monitoring. Today, she returns to discuss how it is used in her own clinical practice. Evolving Progress Monitoring for Beginning AAC Users- Where Do I Begin? As AAC SLPs, we often also assume the roles of coach, cheerleader, teacher, mentor, team member and advocate. However, in order to advocate for AAC, we need to be able to identify the benefits that AAC brings to the lives of our clients. As I mentioned in Part 1 of this series, progress looks different for everyone, particularly beginning AAC users. This is what led to the development of the “Pediatric Prelinguistic and Linguistic Skill Assessment for AAC Users.” You may be asking yourself, where do I begin with this tool or how do I use it? Let’s dive in with a few examples by meeting AAC users Eddie and Abigail... [Read More...]
June 24, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Welcome back to our series on using the Stepping into AAC materials. If you are new to this approach to getting started with AAC, you may want to look at some of the earlier posts. Introduction: A PrAACtical Guide to Stepping into AAC Week 1: Starting a Journey with Stepping into AAC Weeks 2-5: Building a Foundation with Stepping into AAC Weeks 6-8: Customizing AAC Tools with Stepping into AAC In Weeks 9-12, we ramp up our efforts to build habits of daily AAC use with a focus on daily routines and play/leisure. Target words for Weeks 9-12: can, get, help, I, more, open, that, finished, what, who Communicative Intent: asking and answering questions, asking for help, protesting, rejecting, showing off Hands-on activities: Make plans to spend 10 minutes a day doing these simple activities that will help you build the AAC habits that support your learner’s use of AAC.... [Read More...]
May 27, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
We hope that guest authors Marisa Portanova and Marnina Allis have inspired you to develop AAC groups for the children and adults you serve. Today, they wrap up their series with some final tips for creating and running successful groups. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PrAACtical AAC Groups Made Easy – Positive Outcome and Tips and Tricks Our AAC groups were a hit, and we want to help you all knock it out of the park as well! We had some great positive outcomes we would like to share to help with motivation to get started. Variety of communication opportunities – talking about their weekends, playing fun games like HeadBandz, giving opinions about a book read Language learning opportunities – within literacy contexts and natural social environments Social interaction opportunities are hard to accomplish in 1:1 settings between child and therapist. These groups allowed for peer-to-peer interaction as well. They allowed children to see other... [Read More...]
January 5, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Each month we feature a Spanish version of our AAC Link Up, CAA con Links. If you have AAC-related announcements, materials, or videos in Spanish that you would like others to know about, we’d love to have you add that information below. Also, please share this with anyone who might be interested in contributing to or using the materials that get added to these posts. You’ll find the place to add that information at the very bottom of this post. Organized by Claudia Marimón, these monthly posts also feature AAC work being done in Spanish-speaking countries and offer translations of material that can help families and service providers. In today’s post, Claudia discusses the PODD approach to communication books. Take a look at the information, and don’t forget to scroll to the bottom to add your link and see what others are sharing. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Bienvenido 2024, comienzo este nuevo año... [Read More...]
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About Week 5 Welcome to the fifth week of your Stepping into AAC journey! In Week 5, we do a deep dive into key strategies for beginning AAC users. We will explore the following concepts this week: Say What You See: Familiarize yourself with the concept of narrating the world around us to facilitate language development in AAC learners. Model AAC Without Expectation: Learn about one of the most helpful AAC support strategies we have in our toolbox. Pause – Give Time for AAC Learning: Expand your understanding of ‘wait time’ and the positive role it can play in interactions with AAC users. Make the Most of Requesting: Consider the importance of making requests along with some of the pitfalls of over-emphasizing this aspect of communication. Think Aloud with AAC: By giving voice to our thoughts, feelings, and internal dialogue, we can support the development of cognitive and linguistic skills... [Read More...]
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About This Week Welcome to Week 4 of your Stepping into AAC journey! This week, we delve into various concepts that will help you and your AAC learner make AAC use part of daily life. We will explore the following concepts this week: Presume Potential: Learn about the mindset of presuming potential and how to leverage it to create spaces, tools, and opportunities for AAC learners to thrive. Motivate to Communicate: Explore the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and ways to maximize their impact on AAC learning. Attribute Meaning: Consider how we can validate and support AAC learners by attributing meaning to their communicative attempts, even when we aren’t quite sure what they are trying to tell us. Say What You See & Show What You Say: Embrace two strategies that will boost AAC use without pressuring our AAC learners to imitate or comply. Know What Progress in AAC... [Read More...]
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About This Week Welcome to Week 8 of your Stepping into AAC journey! We wrap up our detour on personalizing communication boards by taking a close look at ways to support AAC learners who have difficulty pointing to words and picture symbols. You will explore the following concepts this week: Alternative Access: Learn about options for AAC learners with motor challenges. Learning Through Engagement: Explore ways that we can engage AAC learners in experiences that allow them to advance their language and communication skills. AACtion Steps Week 8 AACtion Steps Signposts Get the Handout Overview of Alternative Access Travelog Week 8 Travelog Print the Week Want all of the resources shared in this week’s Stepping into AAC? You can download the entire digital bundle by clicking the download button below.
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About This Week Welcome to Week 10 of your Stepping into AAC journey! This week, we continue to explore ways to fit AAC support into daily life. You will explore the following concepts this week: Making Space for AAC: Learn some concrete ways to infuse AAC support into conversations, activities, and routines. Getting Dressed with AAC: Look at how AAC can be infused into a simple daily routine as we dive into another language walk-through. Using AAC to Foster Self-determination: Personal autonomy is a key ingredient in a rich and fulfilling life. Explore the role that AAC can play in empowering our learners and facilitating the development of self-determination. More Strategies to Build AAC Use: What is scaffolding, and how can we leverage it to facilitate communication and language learning? AACtion Steps Week 10 AACtion Steps Signposts Get the Handout Make Space for AAC Get the Handout Self-Determination Get the... [Read More...]
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About This Week Welcome to Week 12 of your Stepping into AAC journey! You will explore the following concepts this week: AACtion Steps Week 12 AACtion Steps Signposts Get the Handout Intrinsic Motivation & Initiation Get the Handout Take a Turn Travelog Week 12 Travelog Print the Week Want all of the resources shared in this week of Stepping into AAC? Download the entire digital bundle by clicking the download button below.