September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About This Week Welcome to Week 3 of your Stepping into AAC journey! This week will get us thinking about how words are symbolized, what kinds of words should be on AAC systems, and other foundational information. We will explore the following concepts this week: Why Use Symbols for AAC? Gain an understanding of symbolic communication and issues related to using picture symbols in AAC systems. Balancing Core and Fringe Vocabulary: Learn about different types of words that AAC learners need access to and the role of each. Navigating AAC: Build your knowledge of the logic in the design of communication boards, AAC apps, and speech-generating devices. AACtion Steps Week 3 AACtion Steps Signposts Link to References Gayl Porter & Linda Burkhart, 2010 – Limitations of Using a Representational Hierarchy Get the Handout Balancing Core & Fringe Get the Handout Navigating AAC- 3 Things to Know Travelog Week 3 Travelog... [Read More...]
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About This Week Welcome to Week 6 of your Stepping into AAC journey! This week, it’s all about personalization. Join us on a little detour and learn to customize your AAC learner’s communication board by adding words relevant to their day-to-day lives and unique preferences. You will explore the following concepts this week: Adding Fringe & Other High-interest Vocabulary: Learn how to expand the AAC system by including words that are relevant and highly motivating to the AAC learner in your life. Customize by Adding Relevant Words: Use our templates and instructions to add fringe vocabulary words to the communication board. Templates for personalizing the vocabulary for various communication boards can be downloaded from the Resource Page. Scroll down to the Communication Board section, and select the template for the specific board that you are using. Expanding Socially-focused Communication: Gain insight into ways we can support social communication through AAC. ... [Read More...]
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About This Week Welcome to Week 7 of your Stepping into AAC journey! We continue to explore ways to customize our communication boards this week with a focus on accommodating challenges with vision and attention. You will explore the following concepts this week: Be an Access Detective: What does ‘access’ mean in an AAC context, and how can we address this for AAC learners with complex bodies? Attention, Please! Explore the role of attention in AAC learning and how to accommodate challenges in this area. Customization to Address Challenges with Vision, Hearing, & Attention: Learn ways to personalize the communication board so that people with sensory and attention difficulties can be successful users of AAC. AAC Learners with CVI: Cortical vision impairment (CVI) can make AAC learning a lot more challenging. Learn about this condition and how we can support AAC learners with CVI. AACtion Steps Week 7 AACtion Steps... [Read More...]
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About This Week Welcome to Week 8 of your Stepping into AAC journey! We wrap up our detour on personalizing communication boards by taking a close look at ways to support AAC learners who have difficulty pointing to words and picture symbols. You will explore the following concepts this week: Alternative Access: Learn about options for AAC learners with motor challenges. Learning Through Engagement: Explore ways that we can engage AAC learners in experiences that allow them to advance their language and communication skills. AACtion Steps Week 8 AACtion Steps Signposts Get the Handout Overview of Alternative Access Travelog Week 8 Travelog Print the Week Want all of the resources shared in this week’s Stepping into AAC? You can download the entire digital bundle by clicking the download button below.
August 28, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About Week 1 Welcome to Week 1 of your Stepping into AAC journey! You’ll begin this week by selecting a starter AAC tool for your learner. The resources below include a stepwise guide to help you choose one. You will need this for hands-on activities during each week of your Stepping Into AAC journey. If you already have an AAC tool with core vocabulary words, such as a speech-generating device, AAC app, or communication book, you can skip this step and use that tool instead. With your AAC tool ready, you’ll work through the following concepts this week: The 20 weeks of your Stepping Into AAC journey cover a lot of territory. The graphic below shows the major topics and themes covered in each week of the program and the focus of the hands-on activities, videos, and newsletter resources. Introduction to 100 Days of AAC Choosing an AAC Tool Get... [Read More...]
August 28, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
This table of contents has clickable links to help you navigate through various resources included in Stepping into AAC. You can view and download a PDF version with clickable links using the image or button below. Table of Contents Communication Boards Stepping into AAC requires the use of a communication board with target core vocabulary and/or the use of an AAC device or app that contains these words. If you do not already have access to one of these AAC tools, you will be guided to select one of the communication boards that appear in this section. We are grateful to the AAC organizations listed below for their collegiality in granting us permission to use these communication boards. Information on how to select a communication board is provided in Week 1. AssistiveWare Proloquo Core Board Proloquo2Go Core Board Proloquo Board Customization Template Proloquo2Go Board Customization Template Project Core Project Core... [Read More...]
August 27, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Welcome to Stepping into AAC ! Stepping into AAC is a collaborative project created by PrAACtical AAC and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) that focuses on supporting families who want to integrate AAC into their lives. There are 20 weeks of Stepping into AAC materials, which are intended to provide simple, week-by-week resources to help families support beginning communicators of all ages. Each week, there are easy hands-on activities, videos and companion handouts, and a newsletter to learn from. Thanks to the generous support of the ASF, these materials are available at no charge. Stepping into AAC is designed for families that include: Children, adolescents, and adults who are new to AAC and would benefit from using communication aids with high-frequency words or core vocabulary; and Individuals of any age who previously used AAC but are not currently communicating with it throughout the day. We hope that Stepping into AAC... [Read More...]
August 2, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ideas on how to support AAC learning with fun, engaging activities? In today’s featured video, Beth Waite LeFevre and Emily Cunningham from PRC Saltillo discuss activities to help AAC communicators use their SGD, AAC app, or communication boards. Many thanks to Beth, Emily, and the team at PRC Saltillo for this helpful webinar. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nmqh-jijqw&ab_channel=Saltillo
January 25, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Learning to integrate AAC into typical daily routines takes time and a little support. In today’s featured video, provided by PRC Saltillo, Heather Prenovost and Beth Waite-Lafever lead us through preparing some yummy cupcakes with a touch of AAC. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AxZYnN8El0&list=PL-7d4kfMclvg1UwdKNR8fxVtaj-oURh6G&index=33&ab_channel=PRC-SaltilloAACApps Resources mentioned in the video include a Stepping Stones to AAC Organization Tool and Reference Sheet. You can download the manual communication boards below. WordPower 96 location Board Unity 84 Sequenced Board LAMP Words for Life Board Many thanks to Beth, Heather, and PRC Saltillo for making and sharing this fun video.
December 26, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
As we prepare to say goodbye to December and welcome the New Year, let’s revisit some of the most popular posts of 2022. PrAACtical Goals That Matter How I Do It: Writing IEP Goals for Students Who Use AAC with Lauren Enders AAC Assessment Forms How I Do It: Using PODD books and Aided Language Displays with Young Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder How I Do It: Planning AAC Therapy Activities Across Grade Levels Building Your AAC SLP Toolkit: Obtaining Free Apps for AAC Evaluations The First 12: Getting Started with Core Vocabulary Teaching Core Vocabulary Literacy for Everyone with Adapted Books A Year of Core Vocabulary Words Communication Boards: Colorful Considerations School Year of Core Vocabulary Words: AAC Resources for Month 1 (August) by Michaela Sullivan, Alisa Lego, & Beth Lytle Make It Monday: Manual Communication Boards with Core Vocabulary Do you have a favorite that didn’t make the... [Read More...]