At the 2025 ATIA Conference last week, we had the privilege of hearing Shannon Voss deliver his talk for the Edwin and Esther Prentke Distinguished Lecture Award. Shannon’s speech was insightful, informative, and inspiring. Don’t miss this one, folks. Enjoy! The session begins at about the 16-minute mark. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/live/KULRkWBzSNs
Learn about the lived mentoring experiences of AAC users in today’s featured presentation by AAC user and researcher Dr. Lateef McLeod. This session was hosted by the AAC Peer Support Project, led by Dr. Melanie Fried-Oken at the Oregon Health Sciences University. We are grateful to them and to Dr. McLeod for this informative session. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YCaOvt3wzA&ab_channel=AACPeerSupportProject
How can we support AAC users on the road to advancing their skills in various areas? In today’s featured video, AAC SLP Jessica Broderick of the Nebraska AT Partnership program discusses assessment tools and goal options that may be of interest. Many thanks to Jessica and NDE ATP for this helpful information. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dntalMiHlo&t=35s&ab_channel=NDEAssistiveTechnologyPartnership
Know someone who needs basic information on alternative access for AAC? In today’s video, we feature a brief presentation by SLP Sarah Foley of the Assistive Technology Lab at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Many thanks to Sarah and Craig Hospital for sharing this recorded session. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG-d93Icqhs&ab_channel=CraigHospital
Can AAC be an effective way to support young children with slower speech development? Today, we feature the work of Sarah Cretcher and Mary Alt, who presented at the 6th International Conference on Augmentative and Alternative Communication. The conference was hosted by the Assistive Technologies Foundation of Bulgaria (ASSIST) with the support of UNICEF Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, and ISAAC. Many thanks to the presenters and the supporting organizations for broadening our thinking about the uses of AAC. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR5-8awg3Tk&ab_channel=AACConferenceBulgaria
We love seeing more support materials for teens and adults who are learning to use AAC to connect, talk about their lives, and express themselves. Today, we feature a video from Life Skills 2 Learn that focuses on a high-frequency word, read, using content that appeals to older learners. Looking for age-respectful videos on other core words? Check out the Life Skills 2 Learn playlist here. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhTegHg777o&ab_channel=LifeSkills2Learn
Reducing the impact of ableism starts with an understanding of our own role in society and how we unwittingly perpetuate ableism. Today, we feature an archived presentation from a 2024 summit on The Future of AAC Research. Many thanks to Dr. McLeod and Communication First for sharing this important presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-yOog0TgJk&ab_channel=CommunicationFirst
It’s here! The movie adaptation of Sharon Draper’s book, Out of My Mind, was launched earlier this month. Today, we’re offering a teaser for those who haven’t yet seen it. Don’t miss this one, folks! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvVxyoQQzFs&ab_channel=DisneyPlus
With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s time to get ready for some core vocabulary infusion into fun activities. Let’s see what Michaela Sullivan and Lindsay Dougherty have in store for older students learning to use AAC. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video -https://youtu.be/3N7q3SHAFKg
How can we help neurodiverse learners engage with STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics] Education? Today, we learn from Steve Sheirer, Hayley Schulze, and Judy Campagna who shared their ideas for this at a PaTTAN conference. We are grateful to the presenters and to PaTTAN for this helpful information. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KURMuwEANF4&list=PLCkBP2csbOsstD9Wga4bgj-ZK0-zcRLkr&index=1&t=15s&ab_channel=PaTTAN