270 Search Results for video autism

Celebrating AAC Awareness Month 2018

October 1, 2018 by - 6 Comments

Celebrating AAC Awareness Month 2018

Let the celebrations begin! October is more than pumpkins and Halloween. It’s internationally recognized as AAC Awareness Month and it offers a wonderful opportunity for spreading the word as to how we can support people with complex communication needs. Looking for a few ideas that you can use in celebrating AAC Awareness Month? Here are a few to get you started. Light up your social media feeds with AAC Awareness messages. We’ve got some graphics to help you out. Here are some from previous years. You can also grab our 2018 Facebook banner here. Is Instagram your jam? We’ve got you covered. (Click on the image below to download.) Are you more of a Twitter fan? No worries. We’ve got something for you, too. (Click on the image below to download.) Make plans to attend ATIA 2019 for lots of AAC content. Early Bird conference registration closes on October 5 at 5 p.m.... [Read More...]

Building Your AAC SLP Toolkit: Obtaining Free Apps for AAC Evaluations

September 10, 2018 by - 4 Comments

Building Your AAC SLP Toolkit: Obtaining Free Apps for AAC Evaluations

A carpenter without a hammer? A painter without a brush? A surgeon without a scalpel? No matter how skilled these professionals are, they can’t do their work without the tools necessary for the job. SLPs need their tools, too. Sometimes those tools are tangible items, like formal tests, mirrors, computers, and penlights. And sometimes those tools are less tangible, like software, digital subscriptions, and apps. Most service delivery settings where AAC evaluations take place (e.g., clinics, schools, hospitals), though, fail to provide SLPs with the adequate range of AAC tools they need to do their jobs well. And, as any practicing SLP knows, the budget for materials ranges from minimal to non-existent. So, what’s a clinician to do? Savvy SLPs have a variety of strategies for getting the resources they need. It’s disheartening that they need to even do this, but, for many, the reality is that either the SLPs... [Read More...]

PrAACtical Perspectives on Part-time AAC Use

July 12, 2018 by - 1 Comment

PrAACtical Perspectives on Part-time AAC Use

Can AAC be of benefit to people who speak? Today, we welcome Alyssa Hillary Zisk, an Autistic PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program at the University of Rhode Island, who shares their experiences with part-time AAC use. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Think about a person who uses AAC. I’m probably not the person you thought of. For one thing, I’m an autistic adult, and the AAC research I’ve seen relating to autism is generally about kids. Services are generally aimed at kids too. For another, my AAC use isn’t the result of having consulted with a specialist who evaluated me and suggested possible strategies. Oh, and my speech sounds pretty fluent, in two languages — when I can talk. That’s not always, and there is the reason I use AAC. I’ve always had somewhat intermittent speech – that is, I can talk, but only sometimes. For this reason, I use a variety of... [Read More...]

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 27 – July 2018

July 1, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 27 - July 2018

Is it really time to turn to another page on the calendar? Time is flying by! Here are some AAC posts you may have missed in your busy week. Monday – PrAACtically July: AAC Resources for A Year of Core Vocabulary Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Putting Aided Language Into Practice Thursday – Using Vest Displays with Preschoolers on the Autism Spectrum ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Looking for some more AAC for your day? Here are some things that may be of interest. New Word Teaching: A Peek Inside Some PrAACtical Therapy Sessions PrAACtical Questions: “What Should I Program on the AAC Device?” Vocabulary Instruction: When Definitions Don’t Work 5 Ways to Use PowerPoint in AAC Intervention Thoughts on Teaching Core Vocabulary (downloadable template) :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Evidence-based Practice in AAC

May 7, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts

Dr. Jill Senner and Matthew Baud are staunch advocates for using research-based strategies and other evidence-based practices (EBP) in their AAC work.  In today’s post. they share their thoughts on what EBP is, why it is important for AAC professionals, and how to incorporate it into our clinical and educational practices. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Facts Matter: EBP in AAC Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been a buzz word in healthcare and education for almost two decades.  However, “it has been well documented in many disciplines that major gaps exist between what is known as effective practices (i.e., theory and science) and what is actually done (i.e., policy and practice)” (Fixsen et al., 2005, p. 2).  What is EBP, why is it important and how can we make sure we’re incorporating evidenced-based practices into our work with students and clients using AAC?  Let’s take a look at answers to each of these questions below.... [Read More...]

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #19: May 2018

May 6, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #19: May 2018

Hello, May – you sure are keeping us busy! I hope your week was a little saner than mine. In case you missed them, here are some of last week’s posts. Monday – On the Same Page: Helping Team Members Recognize and Respond to Unconventional Communication Signals Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: iPad Apps for Learners with Complex Needs Thursday – AAC Assessment Corner with Vicki Clarke: Evaluating Skills for Use of Comprehensive AAC Dynamic Display SGDs ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And if you have a bit more time, take a look at some of our previous posts. Saying ‘I love you’ on Mother’s Day AAC Immersion – Happy Mother’s Day! PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Are You My Mother? From ‘No AAC’ to ‘AAC All Day, Every Day!’ Autism and AAC: 5 Things I Wish I Had Known ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Check out these resources for Better Hearing and Speech Month.... [Read More...]

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #18: April 2018

April 29, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #18: April 2018

It’s almost time to say goodbye to April and all of the wonderful autism awareness and acceptance activities. Before you head out to your busy week, take a look at some of our past posts. Monday – How I Do It: Building Friendship Skills with Peer-A-Mids Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday –  Video of the Week: From Referential to Descriptive Teaching with AAC Learners Thursday – PrAACtically May: AAC Resources for A Year of Core Vocabulary Words Still have time for a little more? Here are a handful of posts to get you started. Vocabulary Activities: 5 Sites for Learning with Avatars PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci – The Family Book Using Metaphors to Support Vocabulary Teaching AAC In the High School Classroom – Where Core Vocabulary Meets Life Skills How I Do It: A Year of Core Words in AACtion

How I Do It: Building Friendship Skills with Peer-A-Mids

April 23, 2018 by - 13 Comments

How I Do It: Building Friendship Skills with Peer-A-Mids

Many of our AAC learners need help building the knowledge and skills that are important when trying to connect with others and develop true friendships. In this post, SLP Katie Bernadkin shares one approach that she uses with her students. Katie is a New York City native now working in San Diego middle and elementary schools. She focuses on autism, AAC, and social cognition. In this post, she explains how uses Social Thinking’s Peer-A-Mid concept to support her students. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Building a Peer-a-mid Do you have any kids on your caseload that have a hard time recognizing when other kids are attempting to befriend them? Conversely, do you know the student who seems to always end up with a “friendly” peer, who is daring them to say something naughty? Recognizing these signs is such a valuable skill for our socially challenged kids to learn. I like to start with the... [Read More...]

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #17: April 2018

April 22, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #17: April 2018

It’s hard to believe that we’re more than half-way through the month of April. Has it been as busy a month for you as it has been for us?! In case you missed them, here’s a wrap-up of our posts for the week. Monday – When Students are Reluctant to Use AAC: 5 Things to Try Tuesday – AAC Link Up (Check out AAC-related things that readers posted.) Wednesday – Video of the Week: Parent-implemented Intervention for Challenging Behavior Thursday – PrAACtical Resources: Promoting Inclusion and Participation for People Who Use AAC :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Still in the mood for a little more AAC? Here is a potpourri of past posts. Build AAC Intervention Skills: Skillful Use of Time Delay Pragmatic Skill Intervention Developing Skills for Switch Use 10 AAC Intervention Strategies We Can’t Live Without Beyond Requesting: Routines to Increase AAC Use at Mealtime

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #15: April 2018

April 8, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #15: April 2018

Spring is springing in our part of the world, bringing inspiration for new beginnings and the possibilities of rebirth. Here are some of the posts we shared in our prAACtical week. Monday – April Is Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation Month Tuesday – AAC Link Up  (Check out the things people shared here if you get a chance.) Wednesday – Video of the Week: AT in the IEP Thursday – 5 Ways to Promote Generalization of AAC Use ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Inspired to read and learn more about the complexities of autism? Here are some posts that may be of interest. Sensory Interventions for Students with ASD: What Does the Research Say? Communication Supports for Problem Behavior with Dr. Pat Mirenda SGDs for People with ASD Narrative Skills in Students with ASD Friendship Skills for People with ASD who Use AAC And don’t forget to check out Lauren Ender’s materials for discounts on AAC and literacy apps... [Read More...]