327 Search Results for aac awareness
April 9, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends, and a joyous Easter, a happy Ramadan, and a meaningful Passover to those celebrating today. We have some AAC posts that may be of interest. Monday – Supporting HIE Awareness Month Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Getting Started with AAC Using the Motivate, Model, & Move Out of the Way Approach Thursday – Visual Supports for an AAC-friendly Easter and Passover Friday – PráctiCAAmente Conectados: CAA Con Links Abril 2023 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Have time for a little more browsing? Check out these past posts. When Helping Isn’t Helping-Prompt Awareness in AAC Instruction Administratively Speaking: 5 Considerations for Recruiting and Retaining AAC SLPs AAC In the Classroom: Considerations for Modeling Core Vocabulary How I Do It: A Year of Core Word in Action AAC in the High School Classroom: Where Core Vocabulary Meets Life Skills
April 3, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
April is HIE Awareness Month, which offers a great opportunity to share information and resources for those who want to learn more. It doesn’t get as much attention as other disabilities in the AAC community, but some people with complex communication needs can trace the cause of their disability to Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). Let’s start by breaking down the term HIE. Hypoxic = lack of oxygen Ischemic = restricted blood flow Encephalopathy = affecting the brain Whether diagnosed as newborns or later in development, this form of brain injury is frequently associated with other conditions, such as cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, limited hearing and vision, feeding difficulties, and developmental challenges. There are many causes of HIE, including uterine ruptures and placental issues, near drowning, cardiac arrest, and other things that interrupt oxygen flow to the brain. By some estimates, 75-80% survive HIE, 50-70% experience seizures, and 40-50% develop a... [Read More...]
April 2, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some posts that you might enjoy. Monday – April Year of Core Vocabulary & School Year of Core Vocabulary Words Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Mindset Shifts that Empower Communication Partners & AAC Users Thursday – AAC Sales for Autism Acceptance Month ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: In recognition of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, here are some autism-related posts to get you in the mood to celebrate those around us who have autism. Building Engagement in Young Students with Autism AACtual Therapy: Making Core Words Fun for Students with Autism Evidence-based AAC Strategies for Students with Autism with Betsy Corporale Before you go, enjoy the ABC’s of Autism support…
March 20, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
In last year’s series, Overlooked AAC, we explored a number of things that professionals often miss in providing educational and therapeutic AAC services. Today, we add to that topic, shifting the focus to skill areas that often get neglected. AAC support generally focuses on communication, language, and literacy. When we look at the individual through a more holistic lens, though, it’s often apparent that there are other areas that create challenges for people with AAC needs. Here are some of them that we can impact in a positive way. Expand understanding of feelings and emotions: Our emotions go beyond the ‘primary colors’ of happy, sad, and angry, but when we lack the language to understand the other colors and hues, we limit our ability to develop emotional maturity. Language doesn’t just help us express our emotions; it also drives our ability to process and deal with them in healthy, productive... [Read More...]
March 13, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
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...]
January 15, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts from our prAACtical week. Monday – AAC Implementation Framework: Steps to Learning Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Aging Without Community – Thoughts from Rick Creech Thursday – Throwback Thursday: AAC-friendly Resources for Martin Luther King, Jr Day :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Still have an appetite for some AAC reading? These posts from the archives may be of interest. Reducing Prompt Dependence in AAC Learners: 5 Things to Try When Helping Isn’t Helping: Prompt Awareness in AAC Instruction 5 Things to Consider About Prompts in Teaching AAC Creating AAC Implementation Plans Using AAC to Repair Communication Breakdowns
January 1, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy New Year, AAC friends! We are looking forward to some exciting changes in 2023, but for now, here are some past posts for you to catch up on. Monday – The Year’s Top AAC Posts: 2022 Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Top AAC Videos of the Year: 2022 Thursday – January Year of Core Vocabulary & School Year of Core Vocabulary Words ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ready for a few more suggestions? Here are some past posts that you might enjoy. PrAACtical Ideas for Repurposing Older AAC Technology 5 AAC Downloads to Use and Share 5 Ways to Make Semantic Maps More Effective in AAC Therapy PrAACtical Resources on Language Development When Helping Isn’t Helping: Prompt Awareness in AAC Instruction
November 10, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
It gets a bad rap but when used thoughtfully, this powerful tool can be a game-changer. Today, we’re talking about the pitfalls and promises of prompting. Take a look. When Helping Isn’t Helping-Prompt Awareness in AAC Instruction Building AAC Facilitation Skills with Tabi Jones-Wohleber: MASTER PAL Training, Module 10 (Appropriate Prompting) 5 Things to Consider About Prompts in Teaching AAC Reducing Prompt Dependence in AAC Learners: 5 Things to Try
October 24, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
In homes and clinics, at schools and community centers, people are getting ready for the spookiest holiday of the year. In today’s post we’re sharing some resources that you can download for anyone who needs a bit of communication support. Take a look. AAC Trick or Treat Bracelet, Switch and Bucket Labels from The AAC for ALL Trick-or-Treat AAC Bracelet and Visual by The Alternative Way to Pre-K Halloween Bracelet by Brittany Harmon Halloween Social Story by Natalie’s Nook Visual Supports for Trick-or-Treating by Kathy Kathy Babineau Monster Halloween AAC and Token Rewards by Speech Therapy with Lenden-Holt Trick or Treat Social Story & Communication Bracelets by Breezy Special Ed Halloween Social Narrative and Awareness Cards by TLC Talk Shop – Tamatha Cauckwell Boom Cards™ Halloween: Open Ended Language for Speech Therapy by Beautiful Speech Life Halloween-Themed Interactive Song and Circle Time Activities by The Singing SLP
October 10, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
While our focus each October is on building awareness of AAC and promoting acceptance of those who use it, the month also gives us an opportunity to look inward. Today, we propose 7 activities that we believe to be the hallmark of those who specialize in AAC. If you consider yourself an AAC expert or someone who specializes in AAC, we invite you to reflect on these ideas. Those who specialize in AAC should belong to and engage with organizations in their state or region whose mission focuses on support for people with complex communication needs. Those who specialize in AAC should belong to and engage with national and/or international groups that elevate the role of AAC in society. Those who specialize in AAC should be active contributors to those organizations, whether it be through their time, expertise, or financial support. Those who specialize in AAC should critically evaluate new... [Read More...]