1545 Search Results for link up
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
October 28, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
It’s just about time to turn another page on the calendar, and that means we’re busy preparing materials and activities for our November core words. Are you looking for some ways to help your AAC learners become more competent in using core words? Need to get staff on board with modeling core vocabulary? Trying to get familiar with where core words are stored in a particular SGD or AAC app? Here’s an approach you may want to try: Choose a dozen or so core words to focus on each month. In previous years, we shared lists of some core words to help you do just that. Set 1: A Year of Core (12 words/month) Set 2: A(nother) Year of Core (16 words/month; Note: These are different than the core words covered in 2013) Those posts have links to downloadable grids with the core words for each month that can be used as... [Read More...]
October 24, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
As we all know, parents of kids with complex communication needs play a critical role in their children’s learning of communication, language, and AAC. Today, our guest authors describe an important study that can help us support these families with effective training, practice, and coaching. Jill Senner, Kathy Post, and Matthew Baud describe the study they did on AAC parent training and explain the outcomes. Enjoy! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: In 2018, we wrote about the importance of evidence-based practice in ensuring a high standard of care for our clients and patients. Reading AAC-related journal articles is a great way to both continue developing clinical expertise and stay informed about best research evidence. It can be quite time consuming for busy professionals to regularly read journal articles and keep up with the AAC literature so we’ve been invited back to share a summary of our latest publication with PrAACtical AAC readers. The article... [Read More...]
October 23, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
We are extremely pleased to share the work of AAC researcher, scholar, and clinician, Dr. Erna Alant. Today, we invite you to view this archived webinar in which Dr. Alant addresses the nature and quality of our interaction. She helps us better understand the role of engagement and social closeness and how we can create environments that facilitate the development of friendships. This session was organized and hosted by Dr. Kathy Howery and the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium (ERLC) and the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia (ARPDC). We are grateful for their wonderful support of the AAC community through their webinar series and to Dr. Alant for this thought-provoking session. You can obtain the handout for this session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYO9bZafmN0&list=PL6P1FySUgEPTn4VCfpiDhrtFIOZbW69mf&index=2