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Video of the Week: AAC App Selection Help

June 8, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Video of the Week: AAC App Selection Help

On my recent trip to Australia for the ILT2014 conference, I had a chance to spend more time learning more about the AAC Ferret, with the help of SLPs Charlene Cullen and Amanda Hartmann.  Beneath the cute name and image is a a ton of information and an easy-to-use format that help SLPs in selecting AAC apps that meet the needs of an individual.  If you use the feature match process in your evaluation (and we hope you do), you’ll be happy to know that this app can aid in identifying AAC apps by feature. SLP Katie Lyon explains some of the features of this helpful tool. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3tjv7AZPQ

Fun Father’s Day AAC Activities

June 6, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Fun Father's Day AAC Activities

It’s prAACtically Father’s Day.  There are many things to talk about, create, eat, and prepare for this special day.  Check out these fun activities that can be done during communication therapy, at home, or at school.  Some can be done with dad and others can be done for dad as gifts. Enjoy the communication process. Record “I Love You” on a one hit message device/card/picture.  You can give a card or talking picture as a gift.  You can use the one hit message device to tell dad “I love you” many times for father’s day and beyond. Use Talking to Dad Visual Supports/Worksheets by Joel Shaul at Autism Teaching Strategies to create meaningful conversations Play a memory game with dad that is supported with PCS (Thank you Mayer Johnson) Use a visual recipe to prepare a sweet treat for dad. Consider chocolate covered pretzels. Create a power point book about... [Read More...]

Video of the Week: Franz Gets Ready to Read

June 1, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Franz Gets Ready to Read

This video by occupational therapist Paul Andres is as endearing as it is informative. Check out Franz as he gets ready to read a book. This is a great video to share with families and other team members who may be unfamiliar with alternative ways of book reading. Direct link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfu8sQH6428

AACtual Therapy with Shareka Bentham: Navigating Eye Gaze for Beginning Communicators

May 29, 2014 by - 6 Comments

Today, we welcome back Shareka Bentham, who has told us about her AAC adventures with the Harlem Shake, a field trip, and more. In this post, she shares her experiences in getting little ones started on the intentional use of eye gaze for communication. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I think that most Speech & Language Therapists have those moments in therapy where they’re wondering “Am I doing the right thing here??” I have been feeling that way recently in my practice as I have been nudged into the world of using the head and eyes for communication.  I was (with extensive research) once able to use an eye gaze board quite successfully with an adult patient in the final stages of ALS, but I had never used such techniques in my paediatric clinic. However, I now have a few little ones on my caseload who have severe physical limitations, and are unable to... [Read More...]

ILT 2014 – A Connected AT Community

May 28, 2014 by - 3 Comments

ILT 2014 - A Connected AT Community

Recently, I had the opportunity to share some thoughts on AAC at the Spectronics Inclusive Learning Technology (ILT) Conference, in Gold Coast, Australia. It’s hard to explain the level of enthusiasm and energy for all things AAC and AT to those who aren’t familiar with that passionate group of professionals and parents. As a newbie, I was especially impressed with the level of warmth and support provided to anyone there who reached out for information or encouragement, and the ways that the speakers helped participants come away totally re-energized. Since it may have been a bit too far away for many of our prAACtical friends, I thought I’d share some of the websites of other keynote speakers and featured presenters I met along the way. Jason Gibson and Jason Carroll (Systems of Support) – Who challenged us to set smart goals for ourselves, not just the learners we serve Kevin Honeycutt – Who... [Read More...]

Video of the Week – AAC & The Reading Song

May 25, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Video of the Week - AAC & The Reading Song

We love seeing AAC in action, but add in core word practice and a little aided language input, and we’re over the moon. Enjoy this video by the Dreamweavers. Direct link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wArNlLoMx-Q&feature=share&list=PLwJSl0zl5AzIr90O45w06x9M-BudYahpi&index=5  

Video of the Week: An App for Giving Opinions

May 18, 2014 by - 2 Comments

Video of the Week: An App for Giving Opinions

In previous posts, we’ve written about our love of rating scales as an easy way to help people with significant language challenges express their preferences. We also posted a video of that in action with a little preschooler using Talking Mats to tell whether he liked or disliked various school activities. What could be better than getting the authentic input from our prAACtical friends? Two things, actually. An e-tool for this purpose A FREE app In this post, we share two demonstrations, one with an adult client and one with a child. You can see the demo of the app here. First, take a look at James. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzAgGmLYpE0 Next, let’s take a peek at Matthew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIIv17eTgFI And, last, but not least, a link to the free Talking Mats app.  

Connecting by Phone

May 16, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Connecting by Phone

In the US, we just celebrated Mother’s Day and the phone lines were busy with people connecting with moms, grandmothers, aunts, and friends. In this short video, Jennifer Lindner, reminds us that not everyone has an easy time making a phone call. AAC is a great option for some, but others prefer to use their natural speech, even when there is diminished intelligibility. Everyone in the US with a significant speech impairment is eligible for a free service connecting speech impaired people with trained communication partners who can assist them in making phone calls. Speech-to-Speech is a nonprofit organization that has helped promote this concept and make it available throughout the country. Take a look.   Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKaK2cV8Km8

10 Cool AAC Things to Do For Better Hearing & Speech Month

May 14, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

10 Cool AAC Things To DO for Better Hearing and Speech Month

Learn with AbleNet University. Watch excellent free AAC webinars. There are live and recorded webinars so you can learn at your convenience. Share the information with colleagues and families. Give an AAC Gift.  Create AAC informational bookmarks and distribute to educators, staff, and families.   Print some free communication boards.  Go to the PrAACtical AAC e-Tool Box and print out some great core word or activity specific communication boards.  Put in your AAC clinic tool box or share with educators or families. Debunk AAC Myths. Use our AAC Myth buster quotes.  Print and hang in public spaces so everyone can be an AAC myth buster. Learn and PrAACtice a New AAC System (device or app). Go to prAACtical AAC’s Teach Me Tuesdays and choose an app or device to learn- (Alexicom, Proloquo2go, PRC Accent, The Grid, Tap Speak Button & Sequence, Avaz, Tobii C8,  Proloquo4Text, Go Talk Now Text, Nova... [Read More...]

Video of the Week: Disaster Preparedness and AAC

May 11, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Video of the Week: Disaster Preparedness and AAC

It’s almost the start of hurricane season where we live and thoughts are turning to preparing for the upcoming storm season. In today’s post, we look at ways to help people who use AAC prepare for a storm or other natural disaster. Thanks to the AAC RERC for making this video available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfNj5mIJFCI&feature=share&list=PL37FF80ADC7B737A1