375 Search Results for complex communication
November 2, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Effective AAC interventionists know the importance of being skilled in using a number of different strategies and techniques for building language. So we’re pleased that SLPs Kate Grandbois and Amy Wonkka are making a return visit to talk more about their favorite therapy strategies and how to apply them to AAC skill-building. In today’s post, they discuss the use of chaining in teaching individuals with AAC needs. You can see their previous post here. Also, don’t miss the link to their podcast at the end, especially if you are interested in earning CEUs for listening. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Bringing it all Together, Episode 2: Chaining in AAC As we mentioned in our previous article, most SLPs have come across popular AAC interventions, like aided language modeling. But there are other interventions, like chaining, that don’t quite get the time in the limelight that they deserve. Chaining is one of these interventions. Chaining... [Read More...]
October 29, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Welcome to the November post in the School Year of Core Vocabulary Words series! Each of these posts, guest authored by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, and Beth Lytle, focuses on a selected set of words along with a suggested order in which to teach them. The Activity Packets, containing sheets on highlighting these words in a variety of activities, and Data Collection Forms. In addition to these resources, they share ideas for customizing AAC systems. New to this series? Check out the guest authors’ overview here. Enjoy! A SCHOOL YEAR OF CORE WORDS: NOVEMBER by Michaela Sullivan, Beth Lytle, & Alisa Lego To the parents, teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Paraprofessionals, friends, and other curious professionals or communicators – welcome back to the monthly School Year of Core Words- November Edition. If this is the first time you’re visiting this posting, we welcome you and hope that you find our resources helpful... [Read More...]
October 22, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Speech-language pathologists who serve individuals with complex communication generally have less time than they’d like to support families in implementing AAC at home. In today’s post, guest author Jesse Kleinman shares her ideas for using functional activities to support AAC learning. As an SLP in Brooklyn New York, she provides in-person and remote therapy to students with AAC needs. Enjoy! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: How I Do It: Functional Ideas for AAC Use at Home During this time, we have all been spending a lot of time at home to stay safe. It has been a trying time in these past couple of months, but as therapists, we are always adapting. As a speech-language pathologist, I was thrown into the world of teletherapy for about 6 months, and I’m now doing a hybrid approach where I see some of my students in person and others remotely. I’ve been seeing a majority of my... [Read More...]
October 15, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Welcome to a new post in the School Year of Core Vocabulary Words series! Each of these posts, guest authored by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, and Beth Lytle, focuses on a selected set of words along with a suggested order in which to teach them. The Activity Packets, containing sheets on highlighting these words in a variety of activities, and Data Collection Forms. For October, they’re discussing a third key intervention strategy, following the learner’s lead. If you are new to this series, you may want to review the introduction that our series authors created before delving into this month’s target words. You can see the guest authors’ overview here. Let’s get started! A SCHOOL YEAR OF CORE WORDS: OCTOBER by Michaela Sullivan, Beth Lytle, & Alisa Lego To the parents, teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Para Professionals, friends, and other curious professionals or communicators – welcome back to the monthly School... [Read More...]
October 14, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
How can we strengthen our AAC teams and position them to best serve individuals with complex communication needs? In today’s featured video, we hear from Dana Nieder, who has experienced AAC as a parent and a professional. In this video, she shares her thoughts on team leadership and engagement. This was originally presented as part of PaTTAN’s AAC Talks event. Many thanks to Dana and PaTTAN for making this presentation available. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfNJo8rdXAo&list=PLCkBP2csbOsstD9Wga4bgj-ZK0-zcRLkr&index=1&ab_channel=PaTTAN
October 8, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Our community is so fortunate to have talented AAC clinicians who generously share their tips for working smart and being efficient. Today, we welcome SLP Krista Hadeed, owner of Utter Brilliance Therapy Services, who is sharing her experiences in creating language kits that can be used in AAC therapy and instruction. Krista specializes in AAC and serves individuals with complex communication needs in South Florida. She has some great ideas for organizing materials in ways that make our work more efficient. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Let’s talk Language Kits! This year has been a challenging time for all of us, but it has also provided us with the opportunity to rethink our approaches and solutions to some common problems. While these problems are not exclusive to therapy during a pandemic, the shift in daily routine has certainly influenced the way we approach AAC communication partner training and support. The research shows us that... [Read More...]
September 30, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
For individuals with complex communication needs who have motor limitations, access to AAC can be elusive. In today’s featured video, we learn from OT Carrie Luse who co-directs the AT Lab at Community Vision. In this archived presentation from the Wyoming ECHO Project, Carrie helps us understand the options for physically accessing AAC systems and explains ways that we can help AAC learners be successful. There are a number of helpful handouts for this webinar that you can access here. We’re grateful to Carrie and the University of Wyoming ECHO Project for creating this presentation and making it freely available. Direct Link to Video – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pRdflqYNSHy4htjMOy50AD1hXwrXRnce/view
September 25, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Though we are wrapping up the month of September, the core words selected for this month are high-frequency words that will live on throughout the year. Our new Year of Core Words School Edition is in development and the team is working hard to get these helpful posts to you prior to the start of each month so that you can plan and prepare your lessons and materials. Please bear with us for the first few posts as we get up to speed. As with the previous post, these will each highlight a selected set of words along with a suggested order in which to teach them. We know that you’ll appreciate the Activity Packets with information sheets on highlighting these words in a variety of activities, and the accompanying data collection forms. A key intervention strategy is also discussed in each of these posts, with September focusing on the... [Read More...]
September 24, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Predictable chart writing is one of my favorite ways to get kids who are new to writing comfortable with a writing routine. Today, our guest author Ashley Larisey shares detailed information that will help you implement this well and have fun doing it. And she helps us understand how to do this successfully in remote teaching. Ashley is an SLP at Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She is also an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor and Instructor at Saint Xavier University. In today’s post, she breaks down the steps of using predictable chart writing, points us to relevant resources, and provides a video overview of the process. Enjoy! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Predictable Chart Writing As many educators look for new and innovative ways to bring comprehensive literacy instruction into their practice, one of the first strategies that comes up in a quick google search is Predictable Chart Writing (PCW). PCW... [Read More...]
September 21, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
It’s no secret that there are not enough well-trained AAC professionals to meet the demands of children and adults with complex communication needs. Today, we’re pleased to highlight the work of Krista Davidson, a clinical educator who is addressing this chronic shortage by developing creative ways to support pre-professional students. As a clinical associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Iowa, she created a virtual AAC camp as part of an inter-collegiate collaboration. Let’s take a look. Virtual AAC Camp – A Collaborative Effort in Preservice Training Last year graduate students from The University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa (under the guidance Dr. Evette Edmister) worked in partnership with Easterseals Iowa to integrate an AAC camp into the summer program at Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines, IA. The intention was to continue that camp in the summer of 2020. But... [Read More...]