45 Search Results for partner assisted scanning

Throwback Thursday: Alternative Access

June 30, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts

Throwback Thursday: Alternative Access

Looking for information on scanning, eye gaze, and other forms of alternative access? Here are some posts from the past that may be of interest. Articles Alternative Access for AAC PrAACtical Research: Improving Accessibility for People with Significant Speech Disabilities Make It PrAACtical: DIY Switch-accessible Scanner AAC Assessment Corner with Vicki Clarke: The Eyes Have It-Assessment Considerations for High Tech Eye Gaze Access Videos Methods of Accessing AAC Systems Stepping Stones to Switch Access, Part 1 Stepping Stones to Switch Access, Part 2 Alternative Access for AT & AAC Deep Dive into the Hardware for iPad Switch Accessibility AAC Access for Individuals with Significant Motor Limitations Through Partner Assisted Scanning

Alternative Access for AAC

April 21, 2022 by - 1 Comment

Alternative Access for AAC

Working with individuals who have AAC needs and can’t use their hands and fingers for direct access? Here are some past posts on alternative access that may be helpful. Articles PrAACtical Research: Improving Accessibility for People with Significant Speech Disabilities Fast FAACt Friday: Accidental Access Let’s Play! Using Switch-accessible iPad Games for AAC Learning Make It PrAACtical: Modify a Battery-Operated Toy to Make It Accessible by Switches AAC Assessment Corner with Vicki Clarke: The Eyes Have It-Assessment Considerations for High Tech Eye Gaze Access Videos Stepping Stones to Switch Access, Part 1 Stepping Stones to Switch Access, Part 2 Methods of Accessing AAC Systems Alternative Access for AT & AAC Angling Switches for Better Access Deep Dive into the Hardware for iPad Switch Accessibility Accessing the World with a Head Switch Seating and Positioning for AT Access AAC Access for Individuals with Significant Motor Limitations Through Partner Assisted Scanning

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 16: April 2022

April 17, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 16: April 2022

Happy Sunday, AAC friends! Here is some AAC reading and viewing that may be of interest. Monday – (Re)Building a Desire to Use AAC: 3 Activities to Try Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Partner Assisted Scanning to Spell Messages Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Ideas for an AAC-friendly Earth Day —————————————————————— And while you’re here, check out some of these past posts. 5 Ways to Promote Consistent AAC Use Twin Powers Unite: Teaching AAC and Sight Words Pragmatic Skill Instruction and AAC with Matthew Baud and Dr. Jill Senner Parent Collaboration in AAC Therapies PrAACtical Questions with Vicki Clarke: What’s the Role of Core Vocabulary? Video of the Week: Telepractice in AAC – Working with What You’ve Got

AAC Fair Testing Practices: The Testing Environment

October 14, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Fair Testing Practices: The Testing Environment

Today, we’re continuing our discussion of Fair Testing Practices for people who use AAC and need to participate in assessments. So far, we’ve talked about the rationale for this approach and considered things that we need to address in two areas: Preparation for the assessment and the various options for how to respond when faced with different types of test questions (e.g., multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank).  In this post, we turn our attention to things that impact the test environment. Topic 7: Can anyone test this student or are there specific skills and characteristics that the evaluator should possess? There are many things that influence our performance on tests. For individuals who use AAC, it’s important to consider who will be administering the assessment. Here are some topics that teams can discuss to approach this in a way that will be fair to the AAC user. AAC Knowledge and Skills: In most... [Read More...]

Customizing Core Boards: 3 Initial Steps to Consider 

July 12, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts

Customizing Core Boards: 3 Initial Steps to Consider 

Core boards have gained popularity as an on-ramp to AAC in classrooms and therapy centers, and can be a valuable way to bolster implementation in those settings. AAC users need and deserve to use communication tools that reflect their individuality, though, so these are generally seen as a stepping stone to an approach that uses assessment data to make AT decisions.  In the meantime, how can we ensure that the core boards we use are functional for the complex AAC learners we serve? Here are three areas to consider addressing. Vision: If the AAC learner has visual difficulties, it’s important to determine what changes need to be made so that they can see and use the core board. In collaboration with a vision specialist who knows the AAC learner’s needs and abilities, the team should consider things like: The size of the individual symbols and words, Optimizing color and contrast, ... [Read More...]

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #11: March 2021

March 14, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #11: March 2021

Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have a handful of AAC posts for you. Monday – AAC in Secondary School: Using Surveys to Support Language Learning Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: AAC Modeling at Home Thursday – Repetition & Perseveration on AAC Devices: 5 Things to Try ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Stick around for a bit more if you can. Here are some posts that may be of interest. Let’s Go Outside! 5 PrAACtical Ideas At the Very Beginning: Working with Pre-Intentional Communicators Sometimes I Feel Sunny AAC Access for Individuals with Significant Motor Limitations Through Partner Assisted Scanning Supporting AAC Learners in Emergent Writing: 5 Helpful Resources

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...]

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #11: March 2019

March 17, 2019 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week #11: March 2019

It’s been a fun week of AAC. Here’s what we’ve been up to. Monday – 3 Ways to Use Visual Schedules for Language Building Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Parent-Implemented AAC Intervention for Young Children Thursday – Throwback Thursday: AAC & the IEP ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Stick around for a bit more if you can. Here are some posts that may be of interest. Let’s Go Outside! 5 PrAACtical Ideas At the Very Beginning: Working with Pre-Intentional Communicators Sometimes I Feel Sunny AAC Access for Individuals with Significant Motor Limitations Through Partner Assisted Scanning Supporting AAC Learners in Emergent Writing: 5 Helpful Resources

Letters from Camp, Part 2 (Working with Words)

November 15, 2018 by - Leave your thoughts

Letters from Camp, Part 2 (Working with Words)

The weather is nippy here in Boston where 12,000+ professionals are gathered for the annual ASHA Convention, and the blustery wind makes us think back longingly to the warmer days of summer. Today. Ohio-based SLP Tina Moreno helps us do just that as she returns to share more information on the reading and writing activities that AAC learners in Camp ALEC experienced. In today’s post, she shares some of the details about Working with Words. If you missed it the first time, you can visit Tina’s earlier post here. Many thank to AAC mom and SLP Tina Moreno for giving us a peek into the wonderful instruction provided to these AAC learners! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Working with Words at Camp ALEC At Camp ALEC in August, our literacy counselors planned fun, motivating activities that helped our campers learn to read and write new words.  In another setting, we might refer to these... [Read More...]

Beyond the Big Core Board

July 19, 2018 by - 1 Comment

Beyond the Big Core Board

Poster-sized communication boards with core vocabulary have become popular additions to many classrooms and therapy rooms. Having these AAC options so readily accessible made it easier for some therapists, educators, paraprofessionals, and families who were relatively new to AAC, begin to embed it in conversations, lessons, and naturally-occurring routines throughout the day. And that’s a good thing! But…it’s just the beginning. Effective AAC service providers know that there are many more steps on the path to communicative competence. Let’s keep going! One important thing to do at this stage is to customize the AAC display to meet the specific needs and abilities of our individual students. One size doesn’t fit all. If you’re ready to move forward in your own AAC support practices, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to identify some potential next steps. How can I ensure that my beginning communicators have access to words... [Read More...]