1458 Search Results for link up
December 11, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Individuals with Angelman Syndrome often derive great benefit from the use of AAC. In today’s featured video, Rosie Clarke and Livvy Hepburn help us understand some of the key concepts in getting started in using AAC supports and systems. This video was made possible by AngelmanUK (formerly ASSERT). We are grateful to them for making this available. You can see an earlier video on supporting communication in people with Angelman Syndrome. Direct Link to Today’s Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSHWwFDy0lc
December 9, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
A picture may well be worth 1,000 words, as the saying goes, but we can boost the AAC learning power by making that image interactive. ThingLink is a site that allows you to upload images and create hotspots that users can click on for more information. Free accounts, with limited features, are available. The hotspots can be simple text boxes or you can turn them into multimedia launchers by linking to a website. In the examples below, I used static images of popular AAC apps and hyperlinked some of the cells to videos of songs that highlight those words. In this example, the target core vocabulary words link out to videos from Speech and Language Songs, Super Simple Songs, and Ms. Marlowe. This can be used during instructional activities or we can send the link to families for use at home. To explore these examples, move your cursor over the... [Read More...]
December 5, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
How do you consider the cognitive demands of using an AAC system when making recommendations and planning instruction? Today, we feature a wonderful new tool developed at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Join us as we learn about the TAT4AAC team and their efforts to create an instrument that helps us think through these complex issues. The TAT4AAC was designed by members of the REKNEW team at OHSU) in Portland, OR, USA. The team is under the direction of Melanie Fried-Oken, an SLP, AAC specialist and professor at OHSU. Melanie leads the REKNEW team. Aimee Mooney, the project team leader, is an SLP and assistant professor at OHSU. She specializes in cognitive rehabilitation. Michelle Kinsella, an OT with a specialty in vision and cognition, in another member of the team along with Deirdre McLaughlin, an SLP with a passion for AAC and young kids. Developing a New AAC... [Read More...]
December 4, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Many PrAACtical AAC readers are using core vocabulary systems in their schools and classrooms, but few have done so consistently for almost a decade. Today, we’re featuring a video from guest authors Kelly Key and Deidre Dobbels who discuss how they have implemented core vocabulary systems and helped their students develop generative language by ensuring that their AAC systems match their individual needs. Their presentation is an archived webinar from the fabulous AAC in the Cloud Conference that is hosted by CoughDrop. We are grateful to Kelly, Deidre, and the CoughDrop team for making and sharing this video. You can obtain the handouts for this session here. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtPIjFiSK8c
November 27, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
How do you create an AT team and use it to build capacity? In today’s featured video Justin Sims, AT Specialist with the Louisiana AT Initiative, shares his thoughts on this. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIagWOLtS7g
November 21, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
As AAC interventionists, we spend a lot of time helping therapists, teachers, families, and others develop their appreciation for multimodal communication and build their skills in using supportive strategies. In today’s post, Deidre Dobbels, a speech-language pathologist specializing in AAC, language and literacy development in young children, shares her thoughts on how we can do this effectively. Deidre is employed by Barrington CUSD #220 in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago in which a Universal Core Approach to Language and Literacy has been in place for nearly a decade. Deidre authored a multi-media early developing core vocabulary curriculum used by her school district as well as by therapists and teachers throughout the Midwest. In her guest post, Deidre talks about her experiences in addressing the AAC needs of young children with complex communication needs. Changing Mindsets, Changing Outcomes As a young Speech Language Pathologist working in Early Childhood classrooms, I was... [Read More...]
November 20, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
We’re really excited to share this wonderful video by Dr. Karen Erickson, Director of the Center for Literacy and Disabilities Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on the critical role of literacy in AAC. This presentation was a keynote session at the International AAC Conference in Leeds (UK) earlier this fall. Many thanks to the International AAC Conference for making this session possible, to Dr. Erickson for this informative presentation, and to Tobii Dynavox for making it available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2bOqen_J2Q
November 13, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
The AAC Participation Model, originally developed by Drs. David Beukelman and Pat Mirenda, has been a guiding force in AAC practices for many years. In today’s featured video, we turn to Kelly Fonner, a former teacher and highly experienced AT and education consultant, to share some thoughts about how we can use this to strengthen our plans for AAC implementation. This recorded session was part of the 2019 AAC in the Cloud Conference, which is hosted each spring by CoughDrop. We are grateful to Kelly and to CoughDrop for their generosity in making this session available. You can access Kelly’s handout for this session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO2fXruxk1w
November 7, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Have you looked at the retail prices for switch-adapted toys lately? And have you noticed that the selection is fairly limited? Just in time for the holiday season, we’re pleased to introduce our youngest guest author to date, Michael Dicpinigaitis, who is stopping by to help us figure out a more affordable alternative. Michael used his interest in technology to learn how to adapt toys and create switches with the help of a 3-D printer. Learn about his organization, Jericho Adapts Toys, and peruse the resources he shares. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer or know someone who is, this post is for you. Kudos to the entire team at Jericho Adapts Toys: Michael Dicpinigaitis, Eric Li, Jai Joshi, Corinne Dicpinigaitis, and Sohil Dharia. Enjoy! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: JerichoAdaptsToys.org was a vision that became a reality. The vision was to provide children with significant motor impairments the ability to independently play, have control of their environment, and learn important... [Read More...]
October 30, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
For individuals with complex communication needs can change so many things in their lives. In today’s featured video, AAC user Todd Hutchinson discusses how getting a speech-generating device at agee 16 impacted his life. We are grateful to USSAAC and ISAAC for making this video available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySraK1B4qdc