What role does the attribution of meaning play in supporting emergent communicators who are learning to use AAC? Today, we learn from Australian speech therapist and AAC specialist, Amanda Hartmann on how to use this to connect with beginning communicators and facilitate their AAC learning. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsqblGI5OHA&t=13s&ab_channel=AssistiveWare
How can we create educational environments that welcome and normalize the use of AAC? Today, we feature an archived presentation on this topic by Dr. Cheri Dodge Chin that includes lots of practical suggestions. This presentation was originally shared at AAC in the Cloud, sponsored by CoughDrop. We are grateful to them and to Dr. Chin for making this session available. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBRmkx4M3ik&ab_channel=CoughDrop
Looking for information to help with AAC implementation? In today’s featured video, Justin Sims, an AT Specialist from Louisiana’s Accessible Educational Materials program shares his ideas. The handouts for this session can be obtained here. Many thanks to Justin and the Louisiana AEM project for this helpful information. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=PhWIGWqiQZw&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=LouisianaAEM
How can school-based professionals facilitate AAC use at home? Katie Sample, AAC and AT Specialist with the Louisiana Accessible Educational Materials project, addresses this important issue in today’s featured video. She shares relevant policies and practices in Louisiana as well as practical ideas for supporting AAC at home. Although some of the examples are specific to her state, many of the issues Katie discusses are applicable to those who live in other places. Many thanks to Katie and the Lousiana AEM for making this webinar available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdCWXWRtZT4&ab_channel=LouisianaAEM
We love learning about literacy from Australian SLP Jane Farrall. In today’s featured video, she discusses the Writing with All Tools Continuum, a 34-item AT-friendly scale for assessing writing samples from developing writers. This is an important one for anyone focused on literacy and AAC. Many, many thanks to Jane and those who supported her in creating this incredibly useful tool Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lIhBcrCQJQ&ab_channel=JaneFarrall
There is a lot to consider when putting AAC into practice. In today’s featured video, we get insight, information, and tips from AT specialists Terri Rosen and Elizabeth Barry from the Pacer Center’s Simon Technology Center. Many thanks to Terri, Elizabeth, and the Simon Technology Center for this webinar. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tVwiDzQRBA&list=PLi7mT6FWCWR0tLGQkL5_Wfhgo8Epsvod-&index=6&t=883s&ab_channel=SimonPacer
While friendships with classmates, neighbors, and other peers offer great richness to individuals who use AAC, there is often inadequate support to facilitate these relationships. In today’s video, we feature the work of Dr. Erna Alant who challenges us to re-think our AAC services and find better ways to support the development and maintenance of friend relationships. Many thanks to Dr. Alant and the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication for this important presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Ihh24p6lo&ab_channel=CentreforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication You can learn more from Dr. Alant in this prior post on social closeness.
Pause time is powerful. Learn more about this easy-to-use strategy for supporting AAC in this short video by SLT Sophia Cormack of Speech in a Sec. Many thanks to Ms. Cormack for this helpful resource. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaCjpah8Btw&ab_channel=SpeechinaSec
New to AAC or know someone who is? Today’s video features Kate Ahern, AAC/AT specialist and special educator, and owner of AAC Voices. It covers foundational concepts in AAC with a focus on support for individuals with Angelman Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. We’re grateful to Kate and to the Angelman Academy for this wonderful video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LbtF3Ai-VU&ab_channel=AngelmanAcademy :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: If Angelman Syndrome is close to your heart, you’re invited to share AAC videos and action photos for an AAC parent resource that is under development. Click here to get started or on the images below for more information.
When considering which AAC apps to trial as part of the feature match process for SGD assessment, it’s helpful to do some side-by-side comparisons. The team at the Simon Technology Center, which is affiliated with the Pacer Center, recorded a webinar on this topic that might be of interest, Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ4u6vKxJN8&ab_channel=SimonPacer —