455 Search Results for autism
October 17, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some resources to make Pumpkin Day a little more AAC-friendly? Here are some from previous years that might come in handy. 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... [Read More...]
September 26, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
It’s prAACtically October, AAC Awareness Month! Guest authors Michaela Sullivan and Lindsay Dougherty are back with wonderful ideas for your older students who are building their skills with core vocabulary. Don’t miss the slide decks full of activities and the data collection forms specific to the October core words. In this post, they also discuss how the the importance of following the AAC user’s lead. SCHOOL YEAR OF CORE- Older Student Lessons Access & Copy below: Weeks 1-2 Google Slides Weeks 3-4 Google Slides INTRODUCTION- OCTOBER 2024 We hope that the School Year of Core (SYOC-OSL) resource can provide you and your students with additional support in learning about core vocabulary through thematic activities and icebreakers. This busy and fun time of year provides opportunities for celebration as we learn core vocabulary. In October, we celebrate holidays and celebrations across various cultures such as Halloween, Day of the Dead/Dia De... [Read More...]
September 5, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
In a previous post, guest author Sara Ware shared a tool for progress monitoring. Today, she returns to discuss how it is used in her own clinical practice. Evolving Progress Monitoring for Beginning AAC Users- Where Do I Begin? As AAC SLPs, we often also assume the roles of coach, cheerleader, teacher, mentor, team member and advocate. However, in order to advocate for AAC, we need to be able to identify the benefits that AAC brings to the lives of our clients. As I mentioned in Part 1 of this series, progress looks different for everyone, particularly beginning AAC users. This is what led to the development of the “Pediatric Prelinguistic and Linguistic Skill Assessment for AAC Users.” You may be asking yourself, where do I begin with this tool or how do I use it? Let’s dive in with a few examples by meeting AAC users Eddie and Abigail... [Read More...]
August 29, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
As August draws to a close, we welcome guest authors Michaela Sullivan and Lindsay Dougherty, who are back with another set of core vocabulary resources for teaching older students. Today, they share sets of curated materials and suggestions to help students gain fluency with the September core vocabulary words. They also discuss a key AAC support strategy, using pause time in AAC interactions. SCHOOL YEAR OF CORE- Older Student Lessons The Google Slide Resources Access & Copy below: Weeks 1-2 Google Slides Weeks 3-4 Google Slides INTRODUCTION- SEPTEMBER 2024 School is back in session across the country, and fall is upon us. This is a busy time of year as we prepare for the year ahead. We hope that the School Year of Core-Older Student Lessons (SYOC-OSL) resource can provide you and your students with additional support in learning about core vocabulary through thematic, engaging, and motivating activities and icebreakers.... [Read More...]
July 25, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
As we prepare for a new academic year, we’re delighted to reconnect with guest authors Michaela Sullivan and Lindsay Dougherty. Today, they kick off preparation for the upcoming school year with another wonderful set of Older Student Lessons in the School Year of Core Vocabulary Words series. Scroll down for some terrific resources, including two slide decks full of activities and the data collection forms specific to the Sugust core words. Their post also includes some helpful information on a key AAC support strategy, aided language input. SCHOOL YEAR OF CORE- Older Student Lessons Access & Copy below: Weeks 1-2 Google Slides Weeks 3-4 Google Slides INTRODUCTION- AUGUST 2024 Welcome back to the School Year of Core – Older Student Lessons: August! School is back in session for many and the summer is nearing the final stretch. Welcome back to the School Year of Core- Older Student Lessons (SYOC-OSL resource,... [Read More...]
July 21, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts you might have missed. Monday – AAC & Reading with Stepping into AAC (Weeks 13-14) Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Interprofessional Practice for AAC Assessments in the Schools :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Enjoy these past posts in honor of my dear friend and PrAACtical AAC co-founder, the late Dr. Robin Parker. An AAC ‘Funny Area’ Solution AUTISM AND AAC: FIVE THINGS I WISH I HAD KNOWN by Deanne Shoyer More Cooking Beyond Requesting: Let’s Chat with Peers Begin AAC Now: 10 Things to Do AAC Must-Have’s for the Classroom and Therapy Room RECASTING: A LANGUAGE FACILITATION STRATEGY
July 11, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
We get lots of questions about using AAC with young children, from babies to toddlers to preschoolers. There are many ways to approach this, so today, we are looking back at some of our earlier posts on AAC for little learners. Using Vest Displays with Preschoolers on the Autism Spectrum with guest author Dr. Carol Goossens’ Mining the Preschool Routine for PrAACtical AAC Opportunities Supporting Preschoolers with AAC Needs: A Case Study Visual Supports in Action in the Preschool Classroom Video of the Week: Parent-Implemented AAC Intervention for Young Children PrAACtically Reading: Books Featuring Children & Youth with Disabilities From Wheelchair to Hands-free Walker for Preschool Children with AAC Needs, Part 1, Part 2 TELL ME: AAC in the Preschool Classroom TELL ME About It (Year 1) TELL ME AAC Literacy Kits Brown Bear, Brown Bear I Went Walking From Head to Toe Here Are My Hands What Do You Like?... [Read More...]
June 23, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Check out these posts you may have missed. Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: AAC Support in Interventions for Aphasia Thursday – Supporting People with Aphasia and AAC Needs While you’re here We have a few more from the archives that might be of interest to you. Faces of AAC: Making It Work in a Busy Family PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: The Family Book Family Collaboration by Dr. Barry Prizant From Presence to Contribution: A Family’s Journey Toward and Inclusive Life From ‘No AAC’ to ‘AAC All Day, Every Day!’ Autism and AAC: 5 Things I Wish I Had Known
May 30, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Here in the US, the school year is just about over, but there’s still enough time to welcome back guest authors Michaela Sullivan and Lindsay Dougherty for another set of Older Student Lessons in the School Year of Core Vocabulary Words series. As usual, they share some wonderful resources including two slide decks full of activities and the data collection forms specific to the June core words. They also provide a perspective on the presumption of competence and share their thoughts on its role in AAC. SCHOOL YEAR OF CORE- Older Student Lessons Access & Copy below: Weeks 1-2 Google Slides Weeks 3-4 Google Slides INTRODUCTION- JUNE 2024 Welcome back to the School Year of Core – Older Student Lessons: June! Summer is finally here, and we are celebrating with new core words and themes for the month of June. Engage in core word-centered activities centered around the end of... [Read More...]
May 16, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Parents of children, teens, and adults who are learning to use AAC often find themselves in need of more support than they typically receive. Today, we are excited to launch a new series that addresses this need. This series is built around a unique collaboration between PrAACtical AAC and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF), bringing together our expertise to create a set of training materials that caregivers can use to build an AAC presence in their lives or expand its use in daily living situations. These materials are now available on both of our websites, ready to empower and support you in your AAC journey. In today’s post, you’ll learn about the Stepping Into AAC program and how to access the materials. Future posts will focus on the implementation of AAC by families who want to enhance communication at home and in the community. Who is the target audience for... [Read More...]