463 Search Results for autism

AACtual Therapy: Chaining in AAC

November 2, 2020 by - 1 Comment

AACtual Therapy: Chaining in AAC

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...]

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 4 (November) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle

October 29, 2020 by - 2 Comments

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 4 (November) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle

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...]

How I Do It: Functional Ideas for AAC Use at Home

October 22, 2020 by - 1 Comment

How I Do It: Functional Ideas for AAC Use at Home

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...]

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 3 (October) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle

October 15, 2020 by - 3 Comments

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 3 (October) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle

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...]

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 2 (September) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle

September 25, 2020 by - Leave your thoughts

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 2 (September) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle

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...]

AACtual Therapy: AAC & Predictable Chart Writing

September 24, 2020 by - 2 Comments

AACtual Therapy: AAC & Predictable Chart Writing

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...]

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 1 (August) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle

August 31, 2020 by - 9 Comments

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 1 (August) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle

August may be on the way out but the words for this month are useful all throughout the year. The new Year of Core Words School Edition is in development and the plan is to get these monthly to you prior to the start of each month so that you can plan and prepare. Please bear with us for the first few posts as we get up to speed. Each of the monthly posts will highlight a selected set of words and a suggested order in which to teach them. You’ll also find resources, such as Activity Sheets for each word and data collection forms, and information on a key intervention strategy. The series authors, Michaela Sullivan, Beth Lytle, and Alisa Lego, created an introduction that you may want to review before digging into this month’s target words. You can see that here. Enjoy Month 1 of the School Year... [Read More...]

PrAACtical Introductions: Meet…A Year of Core Vocabulary Words – School Edition (by Michaela Sullivan, Beth Lytle, & Alisa Lego)

August 29, 2020 by - 13 Comments

A Year of Core Words-School Edition

Much has changed since we first wrote about the Year of Core Vocabulary Words and began publishing monthly word lists, symbol cards, activity ideas, and book suggestions. It is gratifying to see the concept and these resources being used by teachers, clinicians, and parents. Today, we introduce an expansion of that concept with a specific focus on school-based AAC support. Say hello to the School Year of Core Words series. Conceptualized and created by AAC SLP Michaela Sullivan, and two pre-professional SLP students, Beth Lytle and Alisa Lego, the series begins with this introduction to the Level 1 and Level 2 words, and some information about what to expect as the series progresses. It will be followed by monthly posts with ideas, resources, and materials. The series follows a US academic calendar, running from August through June. You can learn more about the School Year of Core Word series creators,... [Read More...]

Video of the Week: Visuals, Timers, & Zoom

August 26, 2020 by - Leave your thoughts

Video of the Week: Visuals, Timers, & Zoom

In many places, parents and professionals are struggling to help students acclimate to online learning. In today’s video, we feature a session hosted by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism. Check out the tips and suggestions that Leslie Brown provides to help learners be successful in online learning through the use of visual supports and timers. Click on the image below to view this video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR8Odb6AgI0

PrAACtically Reading: Books Featuring Children & Youth with Disabilities

August 17, 2020 by - 1 Comment

PrAACtically Reading: Books Featuring Children & Youth with Disabilities

Here in the US, a new school year is starting, and while it will look very different from the previous years, we always get excited for the opportunity to consider new educational materials. In today’s post, we’ve listed books that include characters with disabilities for those who may want to include those in their educational programs. The books in these lists vary in terms of their subject, target audience, and reading level. As with any book that you consider providing to children and youth, be sure to review it first to determine its appropriateness for the individual reader. Some of the books, particularly those for teens, have scenes that are intense and may contain mature content, and/or strong language. Note: If you have others that you would recommend, please reach out to us and we will update the list. Books Featuring Children & Youth with Disabilities AAC Dancing Daisies (2013)... [Read More...]