March 12, 2012
by Robin Parker -
We have been writing a lot about schedules. Schedules can be created by using tools ranging from no-tech to high tech. Here are 5 great visual schedule apps to help with ‘teching’ up the process. We think it is important to let you know that ALL of the app developers provide information about the rationales behind schedules and visual learning which adds to our educated AAC consumers. One of our priorities in ‘blogging’ was to get the information about AAC systems and visual strategies out to more people with the hope that AAC systems will be provided to ALL cpeople who would need it It is great to see app developers prioritizing this as well. **Just 2 notes: for our own personal and business schedules we still use a combination of no-tech to high-tech options) and apps are listed in no particular order Choice Works $14.99 by BeeVisual + designed... [Read More...]
March 9, 2012
by Robin Parker -
‘Gaming’- not something we typically associate with AAC, but we know that it is often the topic of conversation for kids, teens, and even adults, therefore, it is a topic that goes with AAC. Gaming can have a positive impact on socialization, interaction, communication, and inclusion associated with ‘gaming’. The gaming experience can be a topic of conversation before, during, and after the actual game experience. Gaming can be added to an activity schedule or on a choice board. A mini-schedule can be created to teach the steps to setting up a game, playing the game, or to invite a friend to game. Gaming is part of our pop culture (think Mario Brothers…). So we believe it should be an option if so desired. We would not be thought of as gamers. We have liked games and at times even loved them (think Astroids & Pac-Man), however we have not... [Read More...]
February 25, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
The only thing better than watching someone who uses AAC get the hang of it, is having the privilege of seeing this develop in future SLPs. Turn up the music, it’s time for the Happy Dance! I had the distinct pleasure this week of watching some of our graduate student clinicians ‘get it’ with respect to using the Strategy of the Month, Aided Language Input. It’s taken a few weeks, but then again they only see their AAC friends for a short amount of time. – Here are a few things we learned along the way. – 1. It takes time to get good at this. We’re speaking pidgin AAC until we get fluent, so just keep at it. Give yourself permission to be halting at first. Keep at it and the fluency will come. 2. It helps to start small. If the communication aid, SGD, or app is complex,... [Read More...]
February 10, 2012
by Robin Parker -
Magic Moments: AAC Intervention with Apps You Love- Toca Boca Doctor “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”… If it were only that simple. But it is not that easy and since we are right in the middle of cold and flu season, it reminds us about teaching AAC users to let us know when they are not feeling well. The more we can find ways to make the concepts of pain, injury, and distress more concrete and specific, the easier it is to learn. Telling others about your own discomfort is an important self-advocacy and self-determination skill. —- On a more PrAACtical note, telling about your symptoms... [Read More...]