448 Search Results for autism
July 26, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Aided language input is an important AAC facilitation strategy. In today’s featured video, we learn about using this evidence-based strategy from Tanna Neufeld of Summit AAC and Autism Support. Originally presented for the 2023 AAC in the Cloud Conference, this presentation addresses some of the stumbling blocks to effective implementation. You can obtain the handout for that session here. Many thanks to Tanna and the CoughDrop conference team for making this recorded presentation available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojUcZBM2CgI&ab_channel=CoughDrop
July 20, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Our series on multilingual AAC support guest authored by BilingüeAAC continues. In today’s post, Sarah Lee addresses issues specific to features of AAC apps and SGDs. 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. If you are new to this series, you can check out the previous articles using the links below. Bilingual AAC Support from Monolingual Professionals: An Introduction Cultural-Linguistic AAC Intervention: A Framework for Consideration Gathering Information from Families with Questionnaires and Surveys Most of us WANT to provide culturally-linguistic responsive bilingual Spanish AAC intervention, but we don’t feel confident without knowing/speaking the language. In an effort to foster Spanish heritage language development and empower the monolingual SLPs*, we have created context-specific templates using the sociocultural approach (Soto & Yu, 2014) for the monolingual English-speaking SLP*. We will be referencing... [Read More...]
July 13, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Floods, tornadoes, and severe storms have been in the news lately. We can’t predict when extreme weather or other natural disasters will strike, but we can prepare. Here are a few resources that you might find helpful. Reassuring Books About Storms for Children by Heather at Books & Giggles It is Hurricane Season by Autism Educators Preparing for Natural Disasters by Smarty Symbols Hurricane Preparation by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) What Is A Hurricane? by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Tornado Vocabulary by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Storm Social Narrative by Sandy K via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Storm Surge Narrative by Mary Grace Hektner via Boardmaker Online (need Boardmaker to use) Webinar on Disaster Preparedness for People with Complex Communication Needs by AAC RERC Emergency Preparedness for Children with Autism from... [Read More...]
July 12, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
When it comes to inspiring families to incorporate AAC into daily life, there’s nothing better than hearing from those who’ve already taken steps in that direction. Today, we view an archived presentation from the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin by Megan Hufton. Join us as we learn about her experience in utilizing visual supports and building an AAC-friendly environment for her children. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BD4h-xze_I&ab_channel=AutismSocietyofSouthCentralWisconsin
July 10, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Professionals, family members, and AAC users are often frustrated when relevant research is published behind a paywall. Today, we’re pleased to share a number of open-access articles that might be of interest. The effect of aided language stimulation on the acquisition of receptive vocabulary in children with complex communication needs and severe intellectual disability: a comparison of two dosages Laher, Z., & Dada, S. (2023) The effect of aided language stimulation on the acquisition of receptive vocabulary in children with complex communication needs and severe intellectual disability: a comparison of two dosages, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 39:2, 96-109, DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2022.2155566 Direct link to article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07434618.2022.2155566?journalCode=iaac20 A qualitative study exploring the effect of communicating with partially intelligible speech Clarke, Z.C., Judge, S., Fryer, K., Cunningham, S., Toogood, J., & Hawley, M.S. (2023). A qualitative study exploring the effect of communicating with partially intelligible speech, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 39:2, 110-122, DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2023.2206910 Direct link to article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07434618.2023.2206910 ... [Read More...]
June 19, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Today we wrap up our series describing an AAC Implementation framework, guest authored by AAC SLP Vicki Clarke. The founder of an AAC-focused private practice, Dynamic Therapy Associates, Vicki is also the Director of DTA Schools. Join us as we explore the results of our efforts in this implementation journey. If you are new to this series you can find the earlier posts through the links below. Steps to Learning Step 1, Determining the Target Step 2: TRAIN Step 3: Take In Step 4: Try It AAC 101: Steps To Learning Step 5: Talk! We have finally reached the finale! Our students are ready to talk. Now by “talk” we of course, mean “communicate using their AAC system, sign language, picture symbols or the communication devices!” We expect our students to now be able to choose what to say, when to say it, and remember how to say it... [Read More...]
June 12, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Holidays and special occasions are a great time to put communication into AACtion. Since it’s prAACtically Father’s Day, we’re sharing some ideas and materials that may be of interest. Set the stage for success by reading a social narrative about Father’s Day in the week leading up to the holiday. This example from Emily’s World will get you started. Use Talking to Dad Visual Supports/Worksheets by Joel Shaul at Autism Teaching Strategies to create meaningful conversations. Read some books that feature special things about fathers. Here are some suggestions to get you started. My Dad is Amazing I Love Dad with the Very Hungry Caterpillar The Night Before Father’s Day Because I’m Your Dad What Do Dads Do? Verbs, Verbs, Verbs Celebrate with a special book that you write together using these resources. My Super Dad by Miss Hellen’s Hippos. Father’s Day Flip Book by Kaitlynn Albani. Write a... [Read More...]
May 21, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some posts you might have missed. Monday – AAC Implementation Framework: Step 4 – Try It! Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: AAC Learning with Pets & Animals Thursday – Cultural-Linguistic AAC Intervention: Gathering Information from Families with Questionnaires and Surveys :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Before you go, we’ve got a few more topics that may be of interest. Building Sentence Length Through Conversational Routines and Games Be More with Core Helping Learners Build Self-regulation Skills Helping Students with Autism Prepare for Non-routine Events AAC in Secondary School: Party Planning Activity
May 15, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
We’re so pleased to welcome back PrAACtical AAC friend Vicki Clarke to these pages for another article in the AAC Implementation Framework series. Vicki heads up an AAC-focused private practice, Dynamic Therapy Associates, and is also the Director of DTA Schools. Today’s post includes ‘next step’ information to guide others in implementing AAC along with some helpful AAC posters for you to download, and a video with implementation tips. If you are new to this series you can find the earlier posts through the links below. Steps to Learning Step 1, Determining the Target Step 2: TRAIN Step 3: Take In AAC 101: Steps To Learning Step 4: Try It! As we know, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is an essential tool for individuals with speech and language disabilities to communicate effectively and engage in social interactions. Our 4th Step: Try It is about supporting our students as... [Read More...]
May 8, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Here in the US, we’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day soon. If you’re looking for resources that you can incorporate into your AAC work, we have some ideas for you. These are great for highlighting core vocabulary, such as these: Pronouns: I, you, she, we, her, our Verbs: can, do, give, help, like, love, make, read, see, write Adjectives: good, nice, pretty, smart, strong Conjunctions: and, because, but, with Time Words: later, now, today, tomorrow Questions: what, who, where ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS Read about Mothers and Mother’s Day with some of these books. Mother’s Day Book for Early Communicators by AAC with Annie Mother’s Day book highlighting core words ‘like’ and ‘give’ from Speech by Carrie. You can also check out this one which focuses on the words ‘help’ and ‘make’ and offers practice with several pronouns. From Boardmaker From Tarheel Reader (SDJ) From Tarheel Reader (Nicolaus) Cards and letters... [Read More...]