463 Search Results for autism
July 12, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
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...]
July 1, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
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) :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
May 30, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
How can we help families better understand ways to support the social skill development of learners with autism? Today’s featured videos, presented by Julie Short and hosted by the wonderful team at OCALI, offer a variety of practical suggestions for parents to use at home. While not specific to AAC, these concepts, tools, and strategies can easily be applied to learners with autism spectrum disorder and others with complex communication needs. Part 1 Direct Link to Video -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OawYYpl6Ys Part 2 Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2MXqdeR7gg
May 10, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
SLPs Lori Sanzeri and Chelsea Collins, creators of Core City, are back to share ideas for implementing AAC in the classroom. Today, they share their experiences in using visual supports as a supplemental strategy for their students who are beginning to use AAC. Enjoy! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Using Visual Sidekicks to Support Language Intervention Have you ever tried to read a book to your students without providing any visual supports? Do you find yourself having difficulty thinking about what questions to ask? Do you ever feel like the story is too “wordy” or difficult for your students to understand? Have no fear, Visual Sidekicks are here! Visual Sidekicks provide a color-coded communication board of target core and fringe vocabulary along with sentences of 3-5 symbols that simplify the text throughout the story. Children with special needs often demonstrate difficulties during structured literacy activities in the following areas: attending to... [Read More...]
May 7, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
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...]
May 6, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
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...]
April 29, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
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
April 23, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
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...]
April 22, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
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
April 18, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
How can we better support people who have challenging behavior? When that behavior is related to communication needs, as it so often is, Functional Communication Training is often part of the answer. But how can we provide those kinds of supports in ways that are efficacious and feasible? And what about other sorts of behaviors that impact safety, learning, and quality of life? In today’s video, we learn about a parent training approach developed by the Research Units in Behavioral Intervention (RUBI) Autism Network. Many thanks to Dr. Bearss and the Els for Autism Foundation for making this archived webinar available. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Bearss, K., Johnson. C., Smith, T., Lecavalier, L., Swiezy, N., Aman, M., McAdam, D., Butter, E., Stillitano, C., Minshawi, N., Sukhodolsky, D., Mruzek, D., Turner, K., Neal, T., Hallett, V., Mulick, J., Green, B., Handen, B., Deng, Y., Dziura, J., & Scahill, L.(2015). Effect of parent training versus parent... [Read More...]