448 Search Results for autism
August 16, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Many AAC learners struggle with sensory input and there are several interventions designed to help them cope with these issues. Today, we learn from Dr. Pat Mirenda of the University of British Columbia in a 2014 presentation hosted by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA). If you are committed to providing evidence-based practice to your AAC learners, this is an important video to watch. Direct link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Yh5og9wAss&t=31s
May 18, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
When we think of AAC apps, expressive communication and voice output generally come to mind. But there are other kinds of AAC apps, too, including those that are used to create printable materials. Today, we hear from a clinician who uses this kind of AAC app on a regular basis. Georgia Karavias is a speech language pathologist whose career has centered around working with school-aged children and adolescents who have physical disabilities and communication difficulties. Georgia is passionate about utilizing alternative access methods and inclusive technologies to enable independent communication using AAC systems. She currently works at Scope’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre (CIRC) as part of the communication access team in a community capacity building role. In this post, she talks about how she uses AAC and visual supports created with an app developed at her workplace. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I am a speech pathologist who has worked with children with complex... [Read More...]
April 30, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Just when it is time to say goodbye to April and wrap up Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, we have another reason to celebrate. May is Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM), and that gives us a powerful opportunity to spread the word about supporting people who use AAC. Stay tuned for BHSM ideas and resources. In the meantime, though, why not catch up on some of last week’s posts? Monday: Using Adapted Books with AAC Learners: 3 Important Questions to Ask Wednesday: Video of the Week: AACtually Communicating Thursday: PrAACtically May: AAC Resources for A Year of Core Vocabulary Words
April 16, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Hope you had a meaningful holiday. Here are some posts you may have missed while you were enjoying the company of friends and family. Monday: PrAACtical Resources: 10 Things You May Not Know About AAC Wednesday: Video of the Week: TELL ME – AAC in the Preschool Classroom Thursday: PrAACtical Perspectives: Randomness and AAC
April 2, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
The start of April is always a busy time. We launched Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month by learning more about how to differentiate instruction in ways that let kids with autism and other communication challenges grow and shine. Thanks, Phyl Macomber and UM-NSU CARD for a great day of learning and connecting! Hope your start to the month was equally enriching. Monday: PrAACtically April: AAC Resources for A Year of Core Words Tuesday: PrAACtical Alert: AAC App News (Throughout the month, we’ll keep updating this with news of AAC app discounts and other sales on autism-related materials). Wednesday: PrAACtically April: AAC Resources for A Year of Core Words Thursday: 30 Ways to Support Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month
March 28, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
NOTE: Scroll down for the latest update on AAC app discounts and other sales. —————————————- Many of you know the work of Pennsylvania-based SLP Lauren Enders, whose contributions here and on Pinterest, Facebook, and other social media have been invaluable in our clinical and educational work. Lauren does a terrific job of identifying AAC, AT, and related resources and goes the extra mile in sharing them with others. Today, we feature a graphic that she developed to alert us of AAC apps that are discounted in support of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in the US app store. The discounts may be available in other areas as well. The graphic is not interactive so if you wish to purchase an app, you’ll need to visit the iTunes App Store and search for the app you’re interested in or visit the company’s website. OR you can scroll down to the bottom... [Read More...]
March 26, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
It’s hard to believe that March is almost over! Anyone else busy planning for Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month? In the meantime, here are a few posts from last week. Monday: Using Metaphors to Support Vocabulary Teaching Wednesday: Video of the Week: Make a Core Vocabulary Folder Thursday: How I Do It: Addressing the 4 Most Overlooked Operational Skills for High-Tech AAC Users
March 23, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Like many of you, the best part of the work week is when I get to teach language. As amazing as it is to help people with AAC needs become more linguistically competent, we have to be sure not to shortchange some of the operational skills that allow AAC learners to be successful. In this post, SLP Rachel Madel helps us think about supporting the development of operational competence in our AAC learners. The 4 Most Overlooked Operational Skills for High-Tech AAC Users When I first began helping children use high-tech AAC systems, I focused all of my energy on building strong communicators who could navigate through complex systems and use powerful language. I quickly realized that if I wanted to optimize the use of AAC I also needed to teach my students the mechanics of the machines they were using. Once I began teaching basic operational skills, I noticed... [Read More...]
March 16, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Have you ever thought of making short videos to illustrate the meaning of the core words you are teaching to your AAC learners? If so, this post is right up your alley. Teacher Angie Sheets and SLP Nicole Wingate have teamed up to bring the power of video to core vocabulary instruction and are here to share the fruits of their labor. For the past 17 years, Angie has been teaching Intense Interventions to students from kindergarten through grade 4 at Bluffton Harrison Elementary School. Her AAC experiences range from “DIY on the fly” (anything that can be made in a classroom at little to no cost and meets an immediate need) to high tech. (You can follow her on Twitter @asheetsroom14). Nicole also works for the Bluffton Harrison school system, servicing pre-k through 12th grade students. Her AAC experience includes no tech (e.g., picture boards, PECS), low tech (e.g.,... [Read More...]
March 5, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Looking to catch up on some AAC reading? Here are a few posts you may have missed. Monday: PrAACtically March: AAC Resources for A Year of Core Vocabulary Words Wednesday: Video of the Week: Environmental Communication Teaching Thursday: PrAACtical Teaching in the Autism Classroom: Instructional Activities for Core Vocabulary