214 Search Results for core boards

Cultural-Linguistic AAC: Bilingual Literacy & AAC

December 11, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts

Cultural-Linguistic AAC: Bilingual Literacy & AAC

Our yearlong series on multilingual AAC support, guest-authored by BilingüeAAC, is drawing to a close. In today’s post, Melissa Tapia and Sarah Lee address AAC, bilingualism, and literacy. 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. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Bilingual Literacy & AAC Welcome back to our Bilingue AAC Series! You can find our previous posts linked here, which wonderfully highlight best practices in bilingualism and AAC. (Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, Post 4, Post 5). We are excited to dive into our topic of bilingualism, literacy, and AAC and how we can effectively provide literacy intervention in culturally affirming ways with our Bilingual* AAC users. *Clarification: We address “bilingual populations”; however, the resources discussed are specifically for Spanish/English speaking populations. Several of the suggestions can be broadly applied to other languages. The goal... [Read More...]

AAC Implementation Framework: Step 2, TRAIN

March 13, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Implementation Framework: Step 2, TRAIN

We continue to dive into our AAC Implementation Framework, guest authored by AAC SLP Vicki Clarke. In this post, Vicki discusses the way that she approaches AAC training when working with school teams. She shares lots of prAACtical ideas and resources to use in this process. You can see the earlier posts in the AAC Implementation Framework series using the links below. Steps to Learning Step 1, Determining the Target ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AAC 101 Steps of Learning:  TRAIN In Step Two, we begin the process of training HOW we say the word or message we are targeting.  We are learning where the symbol lives on our AAC system, what it looks or sounds like, the motor sequence to navigate through pages on our AAC applications, and of course, signing or saying the word, if that’s appropriate. The most significant thing to remember at this step is that we are not specifically... [Read More...]

Bilingual AAC Support from Monolingual Professionals: An Introduction

January 19, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts

Bilingual AAC Support from Monolingual Professionals: An Introduction

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...]

Back to School with AAC: Materials for the Start of the Academic Year

August 22, 2022 by - Leave your thoughts

Back to School with AAC: Materials for the Start of the Academic Year

Looking for materials that you can use to get your AAC team off to a good start this school year? Here are a few things that might come in handy. AAC 101 Flipbook This all-in-one resource contains information on how to implement key AAC support strategies: AAC 101 Handout. AAC Options Ensure that every student who needs AAC has access to at least a starter set of words and phrases. There are plenty of core communication boards and flipbooks to choose from, and this post has links to a variety of them: Core Boards. Hands-on AAC Interactive experiences where communication partners get to try out and use AAC to learn and express themselves can be very powerful. If you need ideas or materials to use, check out the options we share in an earlier post: Hands-On Activities.    

PrAACtical Questions: “What Does a Robust AAC System Look Like?

December 13, 2021 by - 2 Comments

PrAACtical Questions: “What Does a Robust AAC System Look Like?

“We use core boards in our classroom to ensure everyone has access to basic communication but our students need more language. I keep hearing that students with complex communication needs should have access to ‘robust’ systems but I’m not sure what that really means.” Many classrooms now use a universal system for core vocabulary so that all students have access to a basic set of words. This buys them some time to consider what the specific needs of their students are and plan a comprehensive assessment that will lead to individualized communication aids. As they approach that next step, the team is often looking to develop a more comprehensive AAC system that addresses the student’s current needs and abilities but also sets the stage for further growth and development of communication skills.  What makes an AAC system robust?   Multiple Components: An ‘AAC system’ is comprised of different elements that work... [Read More...]

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 29: July 2021

July 18, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week # 29: July 2021

Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We’ve rounded up some posts that may be of interest. Monday – Customizing Core Boards: 3 Initial Steps to Consider  Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Inclusive Education for Students with AAC Needs Thursday – PrAACtical Resources: AAC-friendly Materials for Hurricane & Storm Preparation :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Before you go, here are a few of Karen Natoci’s popular literacy-focused posts to check out. PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Yo! Yes? PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: The Family Book PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Hello Baby PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: The Five Senses PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: Are You My Mother?

AAC in Secondary School: 5 AACtionable Steps to Support the Transition Process

April 5, 2021 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC in Secondary School: 5 AACtionable Steps to Support the Transition Process

We’re back with another post in our series focusing on supporting students to use AAC during their high school years. AAC SLP Ashley Larisey, an SLP at Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, Illinois, is here to discuss ways to support students who use AAC as they prepare to transition out of school. Ashley, who is also an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor and Instructor at Saint Xavier University, has some prAACtical suggestions that will be of interest to SLPs, OTs, teachers, and parents alike. Enjoy! 5 AACtionable Steps to Support the Transition Process Do you have a student on your caseload who uses AAC and will be aging out of special education services soon? This can be an incredibly exciting time, but it can also be full of feelings of uncertainty. Hopefully, we have put in a lot of time and effort into supporting AAC users, their families, and... [Read More...]

Video of the Week: AAC in Minutes

December 23, 2020 by - Leave your thoughts

Video of the Week: AAC in Minutes

It’s a busy week so we thought this would be a good time to share some short videos by New Zealand Speech and Language Therapist Sophia Cormack.  Enjoy!   Introduction to AAC Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmsdLzQW5G0&list=PLSWI226_FFQVvnW5Jv6PeZoX8wTK99FZN&index=2&ab_channel=SpeechinaSec   Introduction to Core Boards Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB_brGVYg7w&list=PLSWI226_FFQVvnW5Jv6PeZoX8wTK99FZN&index=1&ab_channel=SpeechinaSec   How to Use a Core Board in 7 Games Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4FGg3-W_gk&list=PLSWI226_FFQVvnW5Jv6PeZoX8wTK99FZN&index=3&ab_channel=SpeechinaSec    

PrAACtical Perspectives: Normalizing AAC

April 6, 2020 by - 1 Comment

PrAACtical Perspectives: Normalizing AAC

How do we help people with complex communication needs become fluent in using AAC throughout the day? There are lots of factors to consider in working toward that goal, and our guest author for today encourages us to think of one of them. Special educator Amy Campbell believes that one thing we can do to support AAC learners is to normalize the use of AAC tools and strategies. Amy is the 2020 Washington State Teacher of the Year and has been a Special Education teacher for 12 years. Over that time, she has focused on how to increase student independence and improve the inclusion of students with disabilities into general education settings and the greater community. Like many of you, she has now pivoted to supporting her students from a distance. Don’t miss the videos Amy creates for her students and their families so learning can continue from afar.  ... [Read More...]