366 Search Results for complex communication
September 3, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Each month we feature a Spanish version of our AAC Link Up, CAA con Links. If you have AAC-related announcements, materials, or videos in Spanish that you would like others to know about, we’d love to have you add that information below. Also, please share this with anyone who might be interested in contributing to or using the materials that get added to these posts. You’ll find the place to add that information at the very bottom of this post. Organized by Claudia Marimón, these monthly posts also feature AAC work being done in Spanish-speaking countries and offer translations of material that can help families and service providers. Today’s post focused on literacy and AAC and includes a recording of a presentation from the 2022 AAC in the Cloud Conference, hosted by CoughDrop. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom to add your link and see what others are sharing.... [Read More...]
August 10, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Despite the large number of AAC devices and apps available for people with complex communication needs, there are only a handful of different approaches to organizing words and messages. Understanding the difference, advantages, and disadvantages of each is a critical part of doing a good assessment and making appropriate AAC recommendations. Today, we feature a presentation on this topic by AAC/AT experts Beth Poss and Kelly Fonner. Originally offered as part of the AAC in the Cloud Conference, hosted by CoughDrop, this is a helpful video that you won’t want to miss. Many thanks to Beth and Kelly for sharing their expertise and experience, and to the fine team at CoughDrop for making this archived presentation available. You can obtain the handout for the session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef57eYip318&ab_channel=CoughDrop
August 8, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Most employees have job descriptions that offer clarity about what is expected of them and what they are supposed to achieve. Countless professionals work in fields where a Scope of Practice helps them know what they should and shouldn’t be aiming for. Many students have syllabi and rubrics that show them what they’ll need to do for a particular course or assignment. When people, organizations, and systems point us in the right direction, it’s easier for us to meet expectations and achieve goals. This holds true for individuals with AAC needs as well, but professionals often have so many competing priorities that we don’t always make a plan for how to do it. And when we do, we don’t always have the time and bandwidth to fully implement it. Today, we continue the Overlooked AAC series with a look at things that professionals often miss in supporting AAC users when... [Read More...]
July 18, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Whether you are a therapist, educator, or other professional there is a long list of things that people who use AAC need us to do so that they can communicate in ways that help them live their best lives. Today, we begin a series on some of the most overlooked areas that even veteran AAC practitioners often miss. Not because they don’t know about them. Not because they have a philosophical reason to avoid them. Not because they can’t figure out how to implement them. But because there are incredibly frustrating systemic obstacles to providing the kinds of support our clients/students need. In schools, caseload and classroom sizes stack the deck against us. In healthcare settings and private clinics, the funding streams steer us away from a best practice approach. And in almost every setting, the increasing paperwork and organizational demands draw our attention away from what we want to... [Read More...]
July 11, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
As the philosophy of AAC immersion and the strategy of aided language input have gained acceptance, there is an emerging school of thought that these two things are sufficient for people with complex communication needs to learn to express themselves with AAC. While it is true that some individuals become proficient in their AAC and language use without explicit instruction, there is a large population of AAC learners who need additional support to achieve their potential and/or reach their goals. In this post, we share some guiding questions to help these individuals and their teams determine whether formal instruction with well-chosen language goals and implementation of specific intervention strategies is needed. Is the AAC user and/or other stakeholders comfortable with their rate of AAC and language learning? Has the individual plateaued in their language growth? Is there a gap between what they understand and what they can express? How do... [Read More...]
May 26, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Remote AAC support, which has been around for a while, became popular during the pandemic. While many people have returned to in-person services, the benefits of telepractice for those who do not have easy access in their local communities to AAC professionals make this an important option for some with complex communication needs. Today, we reach back into the archives to feature popular posts on this topic. Videos Telepractice for Children Who Use AAC Telepractice in AAC – Working with What You’ve Got AAC Telepractice AAC Teletherapy Activities & Tips Articles Parent Coaching & Tele-AAC How We Do It: Tele-AAC with Nerissa Hall and Hillary Johnson Growing AAC Professionals: A Virtual AAC Camp How I Do It-Strengthening our Remote AAC Sessions
May 25, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
How can parents become empowered advocates for their children who use AAC? In today’s featured video Dr. Priscilla Danielson of Rocky Mountain University shares her perspective on advocacy, empowerment, and complex communication needs. This video is an archived presentation from the Family Links Digital Conference hosted by the Utah Parent Center. Many thanks to the conference organizers and Dr. Danielson for making this helpful information available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5CGyxiV6GQ&ab_channel=UtahParentCenter
May 16, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
The case history for Aziz described him as ‘non-communicative.’ On Mia’s intake form, it says that she is ‘unable to be tested.’ One of Antwon’s therapists reported that he is ‘not motivated to communicate.’ Experienced, caring professionals said or wrote each one of these things. And while there may be a kernel of truth in some of their perceptions, it’s also likely that these statements don’t tell the full story and fail to accurately capture the student’s capabilities. How can we influence professionals who see limitations more clearly than abilities and potential? One approach is to do things that alter their perceptions of people with complex communication needs. Perception matters a great deal. Why? Because the ways in which we perceive people set off a whole chain of events. – The way that we perceive someone shapes the expectations that we have for them. – The expectations we have for someone... [Read More...]
May 6, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
On the first Friday of every month, we feature a Spanish version of our AAC Link Up, CAA con Links. If you have AAC-related announcements, materials, or videos in Spanish that you would like others to know about, we’d love to have you add that information below. Also, please share this with anyone who might be interested in contributing to or using the materials that get added to these posts. You’ll find the place to add that information at the very bottom of this post. Organized by Claudia Marimón, these monthly posts generally focus on AAC in Spanish-speaking countries. In today’s post, she shares a Spanish resource that may be of interest to many. Enjoy! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Este mes queremos invitarlos a compartir links y recursos que hacen posible apoyar a nuestros estudiantes con complejas necesidades de comunicación en el proceso de alfabetización. La evidencia nos confirma que ellos pueden beneficiarse... [Read More...]
April 18, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
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). April is HIE Awareness Month so today we’re sharing information and resources for those who want to learn more. 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 permanent developmental disability.... [Read More...]