448 Search Results for autism
October 13, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
In celebration of AAC Awareness Month and all those who communicate with the help of AAC, we’re pleased to feature a new video that is being released today. This Is Not About Me is the story of Jordyn Zimmerman, a college student with autism who uses AAC. While we’re only able to share a short snippet, we hope that it entices you to rent the full-length version to view. All proceeds go to Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), CommunicationFIRST, and Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism. Don’t miss this one, AAC friends. Direct Link to Video – https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thisisnotaboutme
September 20, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
The community of AAC practitioners and families includes many people who have strong connections to their school or community libraries. In today’s post, we share some thoughts and resources on making library visits more accessible and engaging to those with AAC needs. Social narratives are a wonderful, evidence-based way to help AAC learners prepare for the experience of visiting the library. These work best when the pictures and text are customized to fit the specific library situation that the AAC learner will encounter. Here are some examples. Nicole Caldwell’s example of a social narrative Lancaster Public Library Social Narrative for Children Social Narrative for Teens Take a video tour of the library, like this one from Powell River Library. If your local library doesn’t have an online video tour, suggest that they create one or, if you’re feeling ambitious, create your own. Create a visual schedule or picture checklist for... [Read More...]
September 9, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Do you support children with AAC needs? Check out this list of posts from the archives with an array of articles and resources. Enjoy! PrAACtically Reading: Books Featuring Children & Youth with Disabilities Parent-Implemented AAC Intervention for Young Children From Wheelchair to Hands-free Walker for Preschool Children with AAC Needs, Part 1, Part 2 Using Vest Displays with Preschoolers on the Autism Spectrum with guest author Dr. Carol Goossens’ Mining the Preschool Routine for PrAACtical AAC Opportunities Supporting Preschoolers with AAC Needs: A Case Study Visual Supports in Action in the Preschool Classroom TELL ME: AAC in the Preschool Classroom TELL ME About It TELL ME AAC Literacy Kits Brown Bear, Brown Bear I Went Walking From Head to Toe Here Are My Hands What Do You Like? Go Away Big Green Monster No, David Come Out and Play, Little Mouse The Lunch Box Surprise If You’re Angry and You... [Read More...]
July 15, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
We’re well into hurricane season here in South Florida and so we’re thinking about ways to support people with significant communication challenges. We can’t predict when extreme weather or other natural disasters will strike, but we can prepare. Here are a few resources that you might find helpful. Reassuring Books About Storms for Children by Heather at Books & Giggles It is Hurricane Season by Autism Educators Preparing for Natural Disasters by Smarty Symbols Hurricane Preparation by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) What Is A Hurricane? by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Tornado Vocabulary by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Storm Social Narrative by Sandy K via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Storm Surge Narrative by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Webinar on Disaster Preparedness for People with Complex... [Read More...]
July 8, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
What are the language learning priorities for the AAC users in your life? Expanding vocabulary? Increasing sentence length and complexity? Using a greater range of communicative functions? Applying morphological markers? Given the heterogeneity of our AAC learners, it’s no surprise that the language goals we address are just as diverse. Today, we dig through the archives to highlight activities that can be used to target an array of language learning objectives. Browse through the list to see if you can find some that are of use in your AAC work. Concept Sorts Using Surveys to Support Language Learning Magic Moments with Tellagami New Word Teaching: A Look Inside Some PrAACtical Therapy Sessions Teaming Up to Build Communication with a Treat Cart: Part 1, Part 2 AACtual Therapy: Use Your Best Spud to Teach Vocabulary With Tanna Neufeld PrAACtical Supports for AAC Learners: AT Recipes for Success – Sensorimotor Activities AAC... [Read More...]
June 24, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Looking to freshen up your library of books that include characters with disabilities? This updated list has a few that you may want to check out. The books in these lists vary in terms of their subject, target audience, and reading level. As with any book that you consider providing to children and youth, be sure to review it first to determine its appropriateness for the individual reader. Some of the books, particularly those for teens, have scenes that are intense and may contain mature content, and/or strong language. Note: If you have others that you would recommend, please reach out to us and we will update the list. Books Featuring Children & Youth with Disabilities AAC Dancing Daisies (2013) by Sara Pyszka Fur Cubs Present First Day of School (2010) by C. Lynne Luster How Katie Got a Voice (And A Cool New Nickname) (2012) by Pat Mervine Inside... [Read More...]
June 3, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
We’re jumping into June and wrapping up the School Year of Core Vocabulary Words Series by guest authors Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, and Beth Lytle. This series focuses on a selected set of words to highlight for the month along with a suggested order in which to teach them. Therapists and teachers will appreciate the Activity Packets, containing suggestions for highlighting these words in a variety of activities. Their Data Collection Forms and tips on using shared reading in our AAC teaching are appropriate for AAC learners of various ages. If you are new to this series, you may want to review the introduction that our series and check out the first 10 months of the School Year of Core Vocabulary Words using the links below. You can find posts for previous months in the School Year of Core Vocabulary Words below. Introduction to the School Year of Core Vocabulary... [Read More...]
May 23, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some AAC posts that might be of interest. Monday – AAC in Secondary School: Party Planning activity Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Take Time to Listen :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Before you go, we’ve got a few more topics that may be of interest. Building Sentence Length Through Conversational Routines and Games Be More with Core Helping Learners Build Self-regulation Skills Helping Students with Autism Prepare for Non-routine Events It’s PrAACtically Memorial Day!
May 13, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
The University of Miami – Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities recently hosted a number of AAC webinars in Spanish. Today, we’re sharing three of those by AAC SLP Alicia Garcia. ¿Qué es la Comunicación Aumentativa y Alternativa? ¿Ayudará a mi hijo?] Aplicaciones de CAA en español… ¿Gratis? ¿Paga? ¿Suscripción?… ¿Qué necesito saber? Descargué la aplicación… ¿Y ahora qué? Introduciendo CAA a mi niño/a Please share with anyone who might benefit from these recorded webinars.
May 9, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends, and a very Happy Mother’s Day! We have some posts that may be of interest. Monday – PrAACtically Mother’s Day: AAC-friendly Ideas for Celebrating Our Mothers Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Deep Dive into the Hardware for iPad Switch Accessibility Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Reading with AAC Friday – PráctiCAAmente Conectados Con Links Mayo 2021 Have time for a little more? Here are a couple of suggestions. AAC Funding Help Building Your AAC SLP Toolkit: Obtaining Free Apps for AAC Evaluations Check Your Knowledge of AT History AACtual Therapy: Making Core Words Fun for Students with Autism AAC Goes to Summer Camp