In recognition of Aphasia Awareness Month, we’re pleased to feature this recorded presentation on AAC and Aphasia by SLP Katie Threlkeld from Forbes AAC. Many thanks to them both for sharing this helpful information. Enjoy! Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChKpuTHCDL0&ab_channel=ForbesAAC
Learn about the ways that Canada promotes access to justice through the use of Communication Intermediaries (CIs) for individuals with AAC needs and other communication disabilities. In today’s featured video, SLP Caitlin Buchel explains the way that trained CIs to provide accommodations and other supports within the legal, police, corrections, and justice services in Canadian society. Many thanks to Caitlin, Communication Access to Justice (CAJust), Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC), ISAAC Canada, and ISAAC International for their role in supporting this important work and making the webinar recording available to us all. There is a lot for us all to learn from this archived presentation, AAC friends. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-kE1UNisF8&t=4s&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29
In today’s featured video, Catherine Whitcher from Master IEP Coach shares some quick tips for writing IEPs that work to the benefit of students who use AAC. Take a look. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8y5tqfHk10&ab_channel=MasterIEPCoach%C2%AE%2CSpecialEducationStrategies
How can parents become empowered advocates for their children who use AAC? In today’s featured video Dr. Priscilla Danielson of Rocky Mountain University shares her perspective on advocacy, empowerment, and complex communication needs. This video is an archived presentation from the Family Links Digital Conference hosted by the Utah Parent Center. Many thanks to the conference organizers and Dr. Danielson for making this helpful information available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5CGyxiV6GQ&ab_channel=UtahParentCenter
Even experienced clinicians and educators sometimes struggle in writing goals for children and adults who are learning to use AAC. In today’s featured video, we learn from AAC SLP Katie Threlkeld who reviews a 5-step process for identifying target skill areas and writing goals for skill acquisition. Many thanks to Katie and Forbes AAC for this helpful information. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKmpJtVSqnE&ab_channel=ForbesAAC
How can we help people with ALS go beyond the basics of communication and use AAC in ways that allow them to connect fully and deeply with others? In today’s featured video, Nachum Lehman and Eddy Erhlich discuss an approach to supporting AAC in people with ALS used by Bridging Voice, a US non-profit organization that provides virtual AAC support to people with ALS. Many thanks to Nachum, Eddy, and Bridging Voice for making and sharing this helpful presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHbAp-2SEZc&ab_channel=ATACNJ
‘Bad’ words are fairly common in conversations among non-disabled individuals but we often censor the words available to AAC users based on what we think is appropriate or proper. In today’s featured video, SLP Hali Strickler helps us think through the decisions about curse words, profanity, slang, and more. This archived webinar is made possible through a collaboration between USSAAC and ISAAC. We are grateful to them both, and to Hali for this important presentation. You can obtain the handouts for this session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDbs7ogNHLw&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29
It lacks the bells and whistles of a speech-generating device and doesn’t have the excitement of an AAC app, but there is much to love about using a well-designed communication book. Today, we feature two videos from the Barnsley Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team which is part of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. In these videos, you’ll learn how to make communication books and how to facilitate their use. Many thanks to the therapists from the Barnsley Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team for this fine work. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHyTs98RG_k&ab_channel=Barnsleyspeechandlanguagetherapy Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32aIbpTzt-k&ab_channel=Barnsleyspeechandlanguagetherapy
Looking for a short video to help families new to AAC get started using it at home? In today’s featured video, SLP Liv Meriano of the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation offers concrete suggestions for how to support children with AAC needs at home. Take a look. Many thanks to Liv and the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation for this helpful and engaging video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKffahOXTGo&ab_channel=DSRFCANADA
Partner-assisted scanning is a versatile access strategy that can be extremely beneficial for people with significant motor challenges. In today’s featured video, AAC expert and master clinician John Costello discusses how to use it for spelling and demonstrates this powerful strategy. You can learn more and download a copy of the communication materials here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyBkofHqBkY&t=6s&ab_channel=JohnCostello