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AAC Assessment Corner by Vicki Clarke: Is AAC Feature Matching Still Relevant?

March 17, 2016 by - 8 Comments

AAC Assessment Corner by Vicki Clarke: Is AAC Feature Matching Still Relevant?

Today, we welcome back Vicki Clarke, a regular contributor to PrAACtical AAC, with another edition of AAC Assessment Corner. In this post, Vicki shares her thoughts on feature matching for AAC device selection. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Feature matching has been the gold standard for AAC evaluation for the last 20 years. It is research based and clinically proven as the best technique for selecting an AAC solution for an individual. The tide of real-life practice, however, is turning and there has been increasing discussion at conferences, in social media and blogs questioning why we continue to use feature matching to place AAC systems in the hands of students. In a recent assistive technology on-line chat, a noted AT specialist remarked: “I wonder if at a district level it might not be better to have a go-to AAC system everyone tries first. If that doesn’t work then adjust.”  Does this mean that we throw... [Read More...]

AAC Assessment Corner by Vicki Clarke: Thinking Inside the Box for AAC Evaluations

February 25, 2016 by - 3 Comments

AAC Assessment Corner by Vicki Clarke: Thinking Inside the Box for AAC Evaluations

AAC assessment is a challenge in almost every service delivery setting, and many of you have reached out to us to ask for advice on how to strengthen your assessment practices. Luckily, Vicki Clarke, an AAC Chick who has a great deal of experience assessing learners in clinical and educational settings, has tips and resources to share. In this continuation of the AAC Assessment Corner series, Vicki talks about a key feature in any AAC system: vocabulary organization. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Thinking Inside the Box for AAC Evaluations: What Type of Vocabulary Organization is Right For Your AAC User? Professionals often spend a great deal of time concerning themselves with which box they should get their AAC user.  Should I pick a Prentke Romich or a Tobii Dynavox?  But what about the iPad?  And what about the money?  Should I pick a CheapTalk or a GoTalk instead? Here’s the good news: The box is not the... [Read More...]

AAC Assessment Corner by Vicki Clarke: Procedural Resources

January 11, 2016 by - 8 Comments

AAC Assessment Corner by Vicki Clarke: Procedural Resources

The new year is bringing some changes to PrAACtical AAC, and one that I am most excited about is a regular monthly article by SLP Vicki Clarke. Vicki is a phenomenal clinician with a private practice in Georgia who has been specializing in AAC since 1991. Her practice, Dynamic Therapy Associates, averages around 50 AAC evaluations a year, so she was the perfect choice to write about AAC assessment practices. Vicki’s assessments are for both for individuals and school districts, and include clients of all ages (peds through adults) who have a variety of challenges and etiologies (e.g., motor disorders, memory, attention and learning difficulties, sensory impairment, neurological differences, syndromes and seizure disorders, congenital and acquired difficulties). Click on these links to learn more about Vicki’s life as an AAC therapist and the kinds of supports provided at Dynamic Therapy Associates. I know you will appreciate the resources, ideas, and tips that Vicki... [Read More...]

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 8: February 2025

February 23, 2025 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 8: February 2025

Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts you might like. Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: The Demanding AAC Device Thursday – AAC Services in the IEP :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: If you have the time, here are some past posts to browse. AAC Skills Assessment for Direct Selectors Selecting AAC Apps & Devices: A Handful of Reasons Not to Skip the Trial Period Observational Assessment of Beginning Communicators Bilingual AAC Assessment Tips by Lindsay Oesch Say What?!? AAC Assessment for Children Who Speak with Dr. Jill Senner and Matthew Baud

PrAACtically Valentine’s Day: AAC-friendly Resources

February 10, 2025 by - Leave your thoughts

PrAACtically Valentine's Day: AAC-friendly Resources

It’s prAACtically Valentine’s Day, so we’re reprising this past post with some updated AAC-friendly resources for one of our favorite holidays. Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love and romance, is just around the corner. We’re keeping up the tradition of sharing ideas for an AAC-friendly holiday so that you can focus your attention on the supportive strategies that facilitate AAC learning. Take a look. Have fun with this animated PowerPoint poem, 5 Little Valentines, from Bloom.   How about a game of Valentine-themed Jeopardy with these materials from Traveling Talker Time? Print and send these Valentine’s Day cards from CoughDrop   Are there any Pete the Cat fans? Weave Chat AAC created this companion vocabulary board for Valentine’s Day is Cool. Valentine’s Day Is Here: Enjoy a video sing along with the Swingset Mamas Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2S1AanFmFOY-W42JGdsuloRizrpmEE9e-YcrqU_Aqmo4McFJpqRfDnokY&v=Rbtgl9n3mJg&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=Swingsetmamas This AAC Guide on Valentine’s Day for TouchChat Word Power 42... [Read More...]

November Year of Core Vocabulary & School Year of Core Vocabulary Words

October 28, 2024 by - Leave your thoughts

November Year of Core Vocabulary & School Year of Core Vocabulary Words

With November right around the corner, we’re reprising some past posts in two popular series, Year of Core Vocabulary Words and School Year of Core Vocabulary Words. The initial series was based on a small set of core words for each month (see that post here). We followed that with a second set of Year of Core Vocabulary Word resources for a new list of words (click here for that post). Among the many resources are the activity calendars created by AAC SLP and co-founder of Talking AAC, Rachael Langley. There were many other contributors over the years who added to these efforts. The School Year of Core Vocabulary Words, authored by guest contributors Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, and Beth Lytle, was first published in 2020. If you’re following along and utilizing these resources, which were developed by quite a few people in the AAC community, you can access the... [Read More...]

Video of the Week: Applying the SETT Framework to AAC Decision-making

July 31, 2024 by - Leave your thoughts

Video of the Week: Applying the SETT Framework to AAC Decision-making

Many professionals are familiar with the SETT framework for AT-related problem-solving and decision-making. In today’s video, we feature a presentation by SLP Danielle Brown, who helps us understand how this process works for individuals with AAC needs. Many thanks to Danielle for this helpful presentation and to Vicki Clarke for hosting it on her channel. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXju4hSZ-rQ&ab_channel=VickiClarke%26AACChicksatDTASchools 

PrAACtically Valentine’s Day: AAC-friendly Resources

February 5, 2024 by - Leave your thoughts

PrAACtically Valentine's Day: AAC-friendly Resources

It’s prAACtically Valentine’s Day, so we’re reprising this past post with Asome updated AC-friendly resources for one of our favorite holidays. Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love and romance, is just around the corner. We’re keeping up the tradition of sharing ideas for an AAC-friendly holiday so that you can focus your attention on the supportive strategies that facilitate AAC learning. Take a look. Have fun with this animated PowerPoint poem, 5 Little Valentines, from Bloom.   How about a game of Valentine-themed Jeopardy with these materials from Traveling Talker Time? Print and send these Valentine’s Day cards from CoughDrop   Are there any Pete the Cat fans? Weave Chat AAC created this companion vocabulary board for Valentine’s Day is Cool. Valentine’s Day Is Here: Enjoy a video sing along with the Swingset Mamas Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2S1AanFmFOY-W42JGdsuloRizrpmEE9e-YcrqU_Aqmo4McFJpqRfDnokY&v=Rbtgl9n3mJg&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=Swingsetmamas This AAC Guide on Valentine’s Day for TouchChat Word Power 42... [Read More...]

An AAC Christmas Tale

December 22, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town Not a creature was stirring, they were all safe and sound. The stockings were hung by their chimneys with care, In hopes that AAC Elves would soon visit there. The teachers were nestled all snug in their beds, With visions of lesson plans banished from their heads. The therapists with data sheets and the strategies they love best, Had just settled in for a good winter-break rest. When outside the schoolyard, there arose such a clatter I rushed toward the window to see what was the matter. Stepping on Legos (does that pain ever fade?) I ran to the window and lifted the shade. With her silvery face, the moon shone from the night sky, Illuminating the landscape from her perch way up high. And what to my sleep-deprived eyes should appear But an accessible sleigh, and 8 AT reindeer. “Now SwitchMount and Talker; On Gazer and HighTechs! Go Pixon and Charger; On CoreBoard and PowerPECS!” (Bespoke voices! Good speakers! Volume turned up to 10. Fringe and core to the rescue! Robust vocabulary for the win!) And then, in a twinkling, the Elves dashed through the snow, Toting bags stuffed with packages, their eyes all aglow. Switch-toys, and Play-Doh. The elusive Cariboo?? 3-D printers and circuits for the AT Makers, too. For the Clinic, lots of fun things for strong girls and boys: Sensory bins, craft supplies, and new wind-up toys. With squeeze balls and fidgets to calm anxious brains, Books and puzzles with Elmo and Thomas the Train. At School, they left chargers and lots of App Store gift cards; Plus ‘Buddy Benches’ and adapted swings for all recess yards. For the classroom, a Smart Board to project the skills kids are gaining. And - miracle of miracles - a designated Sub for all AAC training! For the families, they unpacked the best gift of all, An AAC-loving team, determined that barriers will fall. No resistance, no excuses, no rejection letters or delays. True collaboration?! The happiest of days!! Presuming potential for learning to make comments and retorts, And confidence in good teaching and appropriate supports The AAC Elves dashed back to the sleigh on this magical night, They signed “Happy Holidays to All” and drove out of sight. And as they departed, flying into the star-speckled sky, Voices came from everywhere, deep below and up high. “Strength for the AAC journey,” I heard those Elf voices call, “Communication is our birthright, the greatest gift of all.” May you never be too old to search the skies on Christmas Eve, AAC friends!

With Christmas Eve just around the corner, we thought we’d celebrate the season with an AAC take on this treasured tale. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas A Visit from St. Nicholas ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town Not a creature was stirring, they were all safe and sound. The stockings were hung by their chimneys with care, In hopes that AAC Elves would soon visit there. The teachers were nestled all snug in their beds, With visions of lesson plans banished from their heads. The therapists with data sheets and the strategies they love best, Had just settled in for a good winter-break rest. When outside the schoolyard, there arose such a clatter I rushed toward the window to see what was the matter. Stepping on Legos (does that pain ever fade?) I ran to the window and lifted the shade. With her silvery face, the... [Read More...]