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May 16, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Parents of children, teens, and adults who are learning to use AAC often find themselves in need of more support than they typically receive. Today, we are excited to launch a new series that addresses this need. This series is built around a unique collaboration between PrAACtical AAC and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF), bringing together our expertise to create a set of training materials that caregivers can use to build an AAC presence in their lives or expand its use in daily living situations. These materials are now available on both of our websites, ready to empower and support you in your AAC journey. In today’s post, you’ll learn about the Stepping Into AAC program and how to access the materials. Future posts will focus on the implementation of AAC by families who want to enhance communication at home and in the community. Who is the target audience for... [Read More...]
May 8, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
How can we effectively support students with challenging behaviors and complex communication needs? In today’s featured video, we learn from SLP and AT Specialist Keri Huddleston who shares ideas and resources to foster positive interactions, reduce frustration, and improve the learning environment. You can access the handouts for this session here. This is an archived presentation hosted by ECHO Voices of the Oregon Technology Access Program (OTAP). We are grateful to OTAP and the to Keri, the presenter, for this helpful presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GoiaXxO4bc&ab_channel=OTAP-RSOI
May 6, 2024
by praacticalaac -
Stepping Into AAC materials were created through a partnership with the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. Visit the links below to access this content. Home page for Stepping Into AAC Getting Started with Stepping Into AAC Resource page for Stepping Into AAC Choose a Week of Stepping Into AAC materials
May 2, 2024
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...]
April 14, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Ready to embark on your Stepping Into AAC journey? Take a look at this roadmap to get an overview of where we’re headed. Let’s get started. Before You Begin Choosing an AAC Tool for the Journey: From the very first week, you’ll be actively using AAC on a daily basis. If your learner is new to AAC, we will guide you through the process of choosing a communication board to print out and use. It will be a generic board at first, but we’ll help you customize it later in the journey to meet your AAC learner’s needs. If you already have an AAC device or app, take a few moments to look it over and decide if you will use it for your journey. A primary consideration is whether it has the specific words we’ll focus on over the next 20 weeks. We’ll explore those words in detail later,... [Read More...]
April 11, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Since 1970, people in the US have marked April 22 as a day to honor our planet and demonstrate support for environmental protection. Here are some AAC-friendly ideas and materials to celebrate Earth Day. Learn about the importance of Earth Day with this book from Boardmaker. Getting to the Core of Earth Day Let’s Read Let’s Create Write an acrostic poem like this one by Donna O’Reilly. Make infused water for a planet-friendly drink using these resources from the AAC Language Lab. Play Earth Day BINGO with these LessonPix materials by Liz Sturgill. Let’s Go Outside! Do some easy Earth Day crafts with these links curated by Special Learning House. Make some Earth Day waffles with this recipe from Shevi Greebel. Create a language experience survey. Here are some possible questions for your survey What are your favorite outdoor activities? Tell me about a time when you had an outdoor adventure.... [Read More...]
April 10, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for a tool to boost self-determination and supported decision-making? Today, we learn about a very helpful tool, Talking Mats, from Speech Language Therapist Fin O’Driscol. In the featured video, she discusses how Talking Mats are used at the Pace School in the UK. Many thanks to Fin and The Pace Centre for this informative video. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxnRaWiFOGY&ab_channel=ThePACECentre
March 28, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
As March draws to a close, we extend our welcome to guest authors Michaela Sullivan and Lindsay Dougherty, who are back with another set of core vocabulary resources for teaching older students. Today, this dynamic team has a rich array of materials and suggestions to help them build fluency with the April core vocabulary words. They also discuss how to support AAC users during a popular classroom activity, shared reading. SCHOOL YEAR OF CORE- Older Student Lessons The Google Slide Resources Weeks 1-2 Google Slides Weeks 3-4 Google Slides INTRODUCTION- April 2024 Welcome back to the School Year of Core – Older student lessons for middle school to adult learners. How are things going? How are the resources working for you and your learners? We would love your feedback and your ideas. If you have any slides that you find work especially well for your students and adult learners, please... [Read More...]
February 28, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
What happens when creative OTs and SLPs team up to jointly plan and conduct therapy sessions that support communication and literacy in individuals who are learning to use AAC? In today’s featured video, we learn from SLP Melissa Petersen and OTs Mackenzie Hess and Mackenzie Light about their approach to developing functional and engaging lessons. Many thanks to the presenters and the AbleNet for this fun presentation. You can obtain the handout for this session, with links to each 7 downloadable lesson plans, here. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp5rFeVfOOY&ab_channel=ableUOn-demandProfessionalDevelopment
February 19, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Here in the US, we’ve celebrated Black History Month each February for several decades. It’s a time for learning, reflection, and celebration. Today, we’re reprising a past post with resources that can be incorporated into your AAC teaching or therapy. Learn with BrainPop and BrainPop, Jr, which offers videos, writing and drawing activities, graphic organizers, worksheets, jokes, and more. Brown vs Board of Education Civil Rights Fannie Lou Hamer Harriet Tubman Jackie Robinson Jim Crow Malcolm X Martin Luther King, Jr Mohammed Ali Reconstruction Rosa Parks Ruby Bridges Slavery Tuskegee Airmen From BrainPop Jr 2. Read “The Poet Diaries,” a guest post by inaugural National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. View a video of her reading her poem, Rise Up as One, California. 3. Explore a virtual exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.... [Read More...]