597 Search Results for tell me about it
January 23, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
While training communication partners is an important role for SLPs and other professionals, there’s an additional way to promote supportive interactions. Empower AAC users to give instructions to their communication partners. Prestoring partner instructions and teaching AAC users how to utilize them improves their ability to advocate for themselves. What partner instruction messages might be helpful? It depends on the individual situation, but here are some ideas to get spark your creativity. Tell them what to expect I use this special computer to talk. I understand everything you say, but it takes time for me to respond. Please be patient and let me put together my message after you ask a question. This assistive technology is one of the ways that I communicate. I choose messages with my eyes and it takes a while for me to do that. You’ll hear each word as I choose it but wait until... [Read More...]
January 19, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Welcome to the first post in a series by BilingüeAAC on supporting individuals with AAC needs in Spanish. In today’s post, they introduce us to the series focusing on ways that monolingual therapists can better support Spanish bilingual individuals who are AAC users. BilingüeAAC is a group of SLPs with a shared belief in providing evidence-based intervention strategies and resources to bilingual Spanish AAC clients, families, caregivers, and professionals. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: A Monolingual SLP’s Guide to Demystifying CLD Practices for Bilingual Spanish AAC Intervention If all languages hold unique systematic rules, can we translate English AAC core words to Spanish and begin modeling? What about morpho-syntax? What about inclusive practices? How can monolingual therapists provide culturally linguistically responsive intervention to their bilingual clients? BILINGUAL AAC USERS Currently, there is limited research on the number of Spanish-speaking AAC users and providers. However, according to the Demographic Profile of ASHA Members Providing Bilingual... [Read More...]
January 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Communicative competence is a multi-faceted concept that was introduced to the AAC field by Dr. Janice Light over 3 decades ago. One area that is sometimes neglected is strategic competence. In this post, we offer suggestions for compensatory skills to target to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of AAC-mediated interactions. Attention-getting: While most AAC users get the attention of their communication partners before sharing their thoughts and messages, beginning communicators may need explicit instruction in this area. It is particularly important for those who use AAC tools that have no voice output, such as a no-tech eye gaze frame or a core communication board. This is also an important skill to teach to those who rely on a partner’s assistance to create messages, such as PODD book users. Modality switching: Ben is an effective keyword signer who prefers this modality over all others. This works well with others who sign... [Read More...]
December 28, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Videos are a great tool for building our AAC knowledge base and strengthening our implementation practices. Here are the ones that were most popular in 2022. Helping School Staff Model AAC in the Classroom Introduction to the Communication Matrix Resources AAC Modeling at Home AAC Apps for Visual Scene Displays Dealing with Emotions, AAC Style AAC with Eddie the Elephant Getting Familiar with Partner-Assisted Scanning TELL ME – AAC in the Preschool Classroom Getting Started with Eye Gaze SGDs Video Models & Visual Supports for AAC Look for more helpful videos on AAC and related topics in 2023. Happy New Year, everyone!
December 19, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Yesterday was the start of the 8-day celebration of Hanukkah. In recognition of the holiday, we’re sharing some AAC-friendly resources that might be helpful to those who celebrate or are learning about this festival of lights. This treasure trove of resources from Gateways includes symbols for prayers and songs, social narratives, instructions for lighting the menorah, Hanukkah fire safety, games, and activities. Hanukkah Resources Hanukkah Crafts with Visual Directions by Simply Visual Communication Boards for Hanukkah and Christmas for AAC Users by Susan Berkowitz Hanukkah Short Story Comprehension and Retell with Visuals by MollyB SLP Hanukkah Shared Reading | Project & Trace Chart Worksheet by Cooper’s Crayon Box Digital Token Boards FREEBIE (Hanukkah Edition) – BOOM Cards by Speech Bop Hanukkah/Dreidel Classroom Supports by Miss Laidlaw’s Classroom Free Spanish / English “My Hanukkah” Emergent Reader Mini-book by Miss Shibz Hanukkah recipes and books from PreK Pages Silly Hanukkah Joke Tellers... [Read More...]
December 11, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some AAC posts you may have missed in your busy week. Monday – PrAACtical Questions: “How can we make data-based decisions about AAC symbols?” Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: AAC Implementation Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Teaching Early Language & Literacy through Multimodal Expression ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: While you’re at it, here are some previous posts that may be of interest. PrAACtical Questions with Vicki Clarke: What’s the Role of Core Vocabulary? Communication Boards: Colorful Considerations Let Me Tell You Something- Narratives for the Beginning Communicator Holiday Shopping with a Purpose Hello Holidays! AAC Ideas for Your Celebration
October 31, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Pumpkin Day! We’re reprising this post for anyone in need of some additional resources. Holidays are special and Halloween is a favorite among many. As much fun as it is to dress up and get candy, though, there are lots of ways that Halloween can be stressful for AAC learners. From the change in routine, to the costumes and scary decorations, to talking with neighbors and other less familiar communication partners, to the overabundance of sugar, there are lots of ways in which Halloween can trip us up. If the AAC learners in your life celebrate Halloween, Fall Festival, Harvest Parade, or any other celebration with similar traditions, we SLPs can help them to have a positive experience. Here are some ideas. Use a social narrative to prepare everyone for what to expect on and around Halloween. Read them often in the weeks leading up to the school dress-up parade,... [Read More...]
October 9, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, friends. Hope you enjoy these posts from our week of AAC. Monday – AAC Awareness Month Activities Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week- AAC Supports for People with Aphasia Thursday – Throwback Thursday: AAC & Storytelling Friday – PráctiCAAmente Conectados: CAA Con Links – Octubre 2022 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Next up: A few more suggestions for AAC reading PrAACtical Ideas: AAC Core Vocabulary Practice for Workshops and Inservices How I Do It: Working with Multiple Symbol Sets PrAACtically Reading: Over on the Farm with Karen Natoci & Karen Baca 5+ Ways to Make Page Fluffers and Spacers Checking In With The AAC Crew Classroom CORE Book by Tabi Jones-Wohleber (Downloadable file) ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
October 2, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. If you’re looking for some reading to honor AAC Awareness Month, we have some suggestions for you. Monday – Gearing Up for AAC App Sales with Lauren Gonzales Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: DIY Keyguards for AAC Thursday – October Year of Core Vocabulary & School Year of Core Vocabulary Words ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: While you’re here, see if one of these past posts piques your interest. PrAACtically SLPs: Hungry for Bilingual AAC TELL ME Virtual Classrooms Talking Mats: A PrAACtical Tool Using Metaphors to Support Vocabulary Teaching AACtual Therapy: “At first I was afraid, I was petrified…” AACtual Therapy: Running AAC Groups
September 15, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some different activities to support AAC learning? Today, we reach into the archives to share some old favorites. Research Project AACtivity Concept Sorts Using Surveys to Support Language Learning Magic Moments with Tellagami New Word Teaching: A Look Inside Some PrAACtical Therapy Sessions Teaming Up to Build Communication with a Treat Cart: Part 1, Part 2 AACtual Therapy: Use Your Best Spud to Teach Vocabulary With Tanna Neufeld PrAACtical Supports for AAC Learners: AT Recipes for Success – Sensorimotor Activities AAC Intervention: 5 Activities with PrAACtical Potential Vocabulary Activities: 5 Sites for Learning with Avatars PrAACtical Teaching in the Autism Classroom: Instructional Activities for Core Vocabulary Why We Love AAC Language Experience Activities 5 Ways to Use Word Clouds in AAC Therapy and Magic Moments with Word Clouds Magic Moments: Painting with Time Teaching the Use of Social Phrases and Comments Let’s Go Outside! 5 PrAACtical Ideas “Can I... [Read More...]