448 Search Results for autism
March 10, 2014
by Robin Parker -
We love learning about AAC and literacy from resources that have a ‘presume competence’ philosophy, that provide research support, and that include specific teaching guidelines. With these ideas in mind, we love the Literacy Curriculum found on the Literacy Instruction Website by Janice Light and David McNaughton at Penn State. There are specific guidelines for providing literacy instruction to individuals with severe communication impairments. There is a specific curriculum to tell you what skills to teach, reasons for teaching those skills, how to teach the skills, and videotaped examples of teaching the curriculum. There is listed research support that you can use to understand the rationales for the skills you are teaching as well as provide evidence-based information about why you are choosing the approach. This post is intended to provide an introduction to the Literacy Curriculum. For comprehensive information go to the Literacy Instruction Website by Janice Light and David McNaughton.... [Read More...]
February 16, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
Like many of you, we’re often working with clients to help them better understand and express their emotions. This set of videos by Joel Shaul, of Autism Teaching Strategies, has some very prAACtical value even for learners without ASD. Video 1: Fighting Upsetting Thoughts Video 2: Fighting Upsetting Thoughts, Continued Video 3: Many Types of Negative Thoughts Video 4: Black and White Thinking
February 6, 2014
by Robin Parker -
Strategy of the Month: PrAACtice Opportunities Building a PrAACtice Routine PrAACtical Communication Opportunities in SLP Sessions Using Aided Language To Build Communication Opportunities PrAACtical Excercise: Building Fluency with Decontextualized PrAACtice PrAACtical Thinking Ringing in the New Year with an AAC App Giveaway- acorn Another Year of Core Vocabulary Get Organized for the New Year- 5 Visual Schedule Apps A PrAACtical Week: 2014 #1 Watch it Wednesday- Pain in Children with Developmental Disabilities PrAActical Peek: Decorating Cookies 31 Posts You May Have Missed in December A PrAACtical Week 2014 #2 Does AAC Really Work with Infants & Toddlers Watch it Wednesdays- Using and Creating Routines to Promote Interactions Throwback Thursday: Visual Schedule Roundup A PrAACtical Note of Appreciation A PrAACtical Week 2014 #3 Watch It Wednesday: I Hear Them All A Totally Different Life A PrAACtical Week #4 SpeakAll! A Research-to-Practice Project Make It PrAACtical: Make Your Own Battery Interrupter (Without Soldering) ... [Read More...]
February 3, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
SLPs know that positive reinforcement is a key therapy tool with an evidence base for many types of AAC learners. This month, we’ll focus on making positive reinforcement work in our AAC therapy sessions. Reinforcement is a topic that has gotten a ton of attention in other blogs and websites, particularly those focused on autism, so there is no need to reinvent that wheel. Instead, you can do a web search and/or look at these posts/pages and we’ll focus more specifically on its application to AAC. Here are some places to check out if you want more information on basic concepts in reinforcement. Most approach it from a behavioral perspective. Video lessons on reinforcement from the MIND Institute at the University of California (Davis) here and here. Overview of Reinforcement as EBP Implementing Positive Reinforcement In the meantime, here are some thoughts on positive reinforcement within the context of AAC therapies... [Read More...]
January 30, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
It is a pleasure to welcome back Dr. Oliver Wendt, who graciously agreed to give us an update on the SPEAKall! app designed by faculty and students at Purdue University. You can see the original post here. There is a proud tradition of AAC research at Purdue, and we’re delighted to see that their latest prAACtical contributions. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: We wrote the first announcement about SPEAKall!, a therapy app for AAC in autism and developmental disorders, over a year and a half ago. SPEAKall! was originally created by the Purdue Program for Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) in conjunction with the Purdue AAC Research Lab and the Purdue Speech-Language Clinic. SPEAKall! is specifically designed to start AAC intervention in prelinguistic learners. It has a very intuitive and “sensory-friendly” interface that reduces cognitive load, which makes it ideal for individuals with severe, non-verbal autism or severe developmental speech and language delay.... [Read More...]
January 25, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We’re headed to ATIA after another prAACtical week. Here’s what we’ve been up to. Sunday: The PrAACtical Power of Peers Monday: Strategy of the Month: PrAACtical Exercise – Building Fluency with Decontextualized PrAACtice Tuesday: Teach Me Tuesday: Tobii C8 Wednesday: 10 References Supporting AAC Use in Inclusive Settings Thursday: Text-based Aided Language: Making the Language-Literacy Connection for Learners with Autism Friday: Make It PrAACtical – Making Your Own Battery Interrupters (Without Soldering!)
January 14, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We are occasionally asked how old children have to be before you can begin teaching AAC. Our answer: There is no set minimum age. Nor is there any research evidence that one has to use an oral-language only approach for a set period of time before beginning AAC. Today, we’re delighted to be able to share an article on this topic with you. This article describes a research review in which Branson and Demchak identified a dozen research studies looking specifically at the use of various AAC tools and strategies with infants and toddlers. Data from 190 children up to 36 months of age were examined. Of the 12 studies reviewed, 7 met criteria for having conclusive findings. In 97% of all cases, the children’s communication skills improved. Looking only at the 7 most rigorous studies is even more encouraging: All 135 babies/toddlers demonstrated improved communication skills following AAC intervention.... [Read More...]
December 15, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
In many cases, SLPs start their careers without the knowledge or experiences that prepare them to support individuals with challenging behavior. This week, we feature a video by Virginia Commonwealth University Autism Center of Excellence entitled Function Matters! How to Determine Why a Student Demonstrates Problem Behavior. In this archived webinar, Dr. Carol Schall provides an overview of Functional Behavior Assessment, and discusses ways in which to use this information to build a behavior support plan. Note: You may be required to register before viewing this archived webinar. Link to video: http://www.vcuautismcenter.org/training/webcasts/webcast.cfm/207
December 10, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
For most SLPs, it is easy to see how AAC can be beneficial to someone with motor difficulties, like cerebral palsy or ALS. To say that AAC strategies and technologies can be life-changing for these individuals is not an understatement. Similarly, the fields of SLP and special education now recognize that visual supports and AAC options are a standard of care for people affected by autism who have little or no functional speech. Not only does AAC provide a means for functional communication, but it also plays facilitative important role in speech and language development. To be sure, there are significant challenges in the implementation of AAC supports and services with these populations, but the practices themselves are now widely recognized for their positive impact on communication, literacy skills, independence, and behavior. But what about individuals with the most significant learning challenges? In this post, we share an article looking... [Read More...]
November 8, 2013
by Robin Parker -
The holidays are prAACtically here and depending upon the holiday traditions you celebrate they may be closer than you realize. Chanukah begins the day before thanksgiving and we never think it is too early to shop for Christmas or any other holiday, so here are some great companies to help you get started. We will update this holiday shopping list a few times throughout this holiday season. Please send any additional companies you feel should be included. Paper Clouds Apparel– Get t-shirts, hats, and totes featuring artwork designed by individuals with special needs. Paper Clouds apparel also hires individuals with special needs to package all of the products. and more. Paper Clouds Apparel was formed to showcase the creative minds and artistic abilities of individuals with special needs while raising funds to provide financial support for special needs schools and organizations. Fifty percent of the net proceeds from the sale of... [Read More...]