Vocabulary selection is a huge responsibility. In this video, we learn about the issues surrounding this important task and discover some strategies for approaching it. Thanks to Dr. Rae Sonnenmeir for her work in this series. You can see some of the other posts here and here.
We are so pleased to have a return visit by SLP Jeanne Tuthill. In this post, she shares an informal assessment activity based around a Book of Favorites. Enjoy! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Greetings from Massachusetts! My work at the Collaborative for Educational Services is on a school-year contract so I’m currently on summer break with my three girls. We’ve been plenty busy with fun summer activities but my learning and growing as an AAC therapist isn’t tied to my contract dates. I’ve also been busy watching webinars, reading some great books (educational as well as pleasure-reading), and following the Facebook feeds of some of my favorite AAC peeps! I really wish I could have attended ISAAC in Lisbon, Portugal this year…I loved seeing everyone’s photos and posts from what looked to be a spectacular conference! In my last post on assessment I shared with you an ice-breaker activity that is low-stress for... [Read More...]
We love seeing ways in which clients are ‘heard’ in the course of AAC evaluations. Today, we return to the ACE Centre North, to see a specific example. In Shelley’s case, the need to use for the AAC device to be compatible with other technology was a driving force in the recommendations. Take a look! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UzV-x7vF84&list=UUMCsugUQwzWK3mOzuVSSmaw
We’re so pleased to be able to share this terrific webinar presented by Erin Sheldon and hosted by the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. This presentation is chock full of prAACtical ideas for assessment and skill-building. Erin discusses a free literacy assessment tool, The Bridge, from the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies that you might want to download and keep handy as you watch the presentation. (We linked to it in a previous post and you can access it here.) Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFgJLhYCPMo&feature=youtu.be
Shared book reading is one of our favorite things to do when spending time with AAC learners. We love the interactive nature of shared reading, and appreciate the fact that we can make books engaging with the use of props and by relating the text to the learner’s life experiences. In today’s featured video, we learn more about the use of shared reading and how it can be used with people who have significant disabilities. Dr. Karen Erickson’s video comes from the Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment System. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwSxTDsQZb0&feature=youtu.be
We’re so excited to introduce a new AACtual therapist, Jeanne Tuthill. Jeanne has been an SLP for over 15 years and has specialized in AAC for the past 6 years. As an AT specialist for the Collaborative Center for Assistive Technology and Training (CCATT) in Northampton, Massachusetts, Jeanne evaluates and provides consultation services for K-12 students in schools throughout Western Massachusetts. In addition, she provides workshops and professional development training in that region. Since 2012, Jeanne has served as an adjunct faculty member for the Assistive Technology Graduate Program at Simmons College. She has also presented at a number of regional and national conferences. You can see Jeanne here with her long-time student Lauren Suprenant, who is using a Step-by-Step Communicator, to share information about how she communicates with others (introduction strategy). Jeanne shares a little bit about her work and then discusses an activity that is used in their AAC... [Read More...]
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
Many people with aphasia fail to regain sufficient speech and language skills to meet their communication needs. With more than one million people with aphasia in the US alone, chances are most people reading this know at least one person affected by the disorder. While many go on to regain functional speech and language skills, some remain unable to communicate well enough catch up with a neighbor, talk about bills with a spouse, ask a question in a store, play with a grandchild, or tell their healthcare providers about side effects or symptoms. It’s hard to really imagine how devastating and isolating this experience may be. Aphasia Awareness Month seemed like the perfect time to reach out to SLPs with information on AAC for people with aphasia. In this post, we’ll share some thoughts and resources on assessment. Assessment activities are, of course, driven by the purpose for which the... [Read More...]
Looking for some well-grounded, yet concrete ideas for assessment of early communicators? Communication Matrix is one of my ‘Go To’ places for just that sort of thing. The site is home to a tool that allows you to develop a clear communication profile for someone at the earliest stages of communicative learning. It is not a direct assessment instrument, but rather a systematic way of capturing knowledge gained through observation, interaction with the communicator, and interviewing families and other professionals. The tool itself has been around for over 20 years (I have the paper version on my shelf). Its primary author, Dr. Charity Rowland of the Oregon Health and Science University, has been refining it over the years and developed the online site with the support of the US Department of Education. The profile covers 7 levels of communication, 4 communicative intents, and 9 communication modalities. I’ve been using the online... [Read More...]
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