November 15, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
How can we support AAC users who struggle with executive function? In today’s featured video, we learn from Kansas-based SLP Paige Buckingham, owner of Buckingham Educational Services & Training. This is an archived session made possible by ECHO Voices and the Oregon Technology Access Program. You can view the slide deck here. Many thanks to Paige and OTAP ECHO Voices for this helpful information. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULhZhIsszus&ab_channel=OTAP-RSOI
November 8, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Supporting AAC users in multiple languages is an important and challenging endeavor. In today’s featured video, we learn about this topic from Professor Kerstin Tönsing of the Centre for AAC (CAAC) at the University of Pretoria. Many thanks to Dr. Tönsing and the CAAC for this helpful presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0mt2BJUm6Q&ab_channel=CentreforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication
November 1, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Gaining the perspective of people who use AAC is a joyful responsibility of all AAC practitioners. In today’s video, we feature the voice of Ömer Güney. His presentation was made possible by the Centre for AAC (CAAC) at the University of Pretoria. We are grateful to Ömer and CAAC for making this accessible to us all. Enjoy! Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU0ZQAVuIL8&ab_channel=CentreforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication
October 25, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
How can online venues be leveraged to support AAC users? In today’s featured video, Dr. Emma Grace of Flinders University discusses her research on e-mentoring for young people with AAC needs. Enjoy! Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K55D_woEXWs&ab_channel=CentreforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication
October 19, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
People with AAC needs are more vulnerable than others in times of emergency, disaster, and violence. Today, we feature a set of communication boards, visual supports, social narratives, videos, and other AAC-related resources curated by ISAAC and ISAAC Israel. You can view the resources here. We encourage PrAACtical AAC readers to add to this collection with relevant resources of their own. If you are able, please translate any resources into Hebrew, Arabic, and English. Here is a link where you can submit your resources: https://did.li/ISAAC-4SOS.
October 4, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
AAC practitioners are well aware of the need to support communication partners. But what is the best way to coach them as they develop new skills? In this featured video, hosted by ECHO Voices, AAC SLP and AT Specialist Heidi Rabe reviews some options. You can view the handouts for this archived webinar here. Many thanks to Heidi and the Oregon Technology Access Program ECHO Voices team for this informative presentation. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o1QwLaYq-A&ab_channel=OTAP-RSOI
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About Week 2 Welcome to the second week of your Stepping into AAC journey! Now that you have a communication board (or other AAC tool) to use and an idea of what to expect over the next 19 weeks, we’re going to dive into some concepts that will help you begin using this with your AAC learner. We will explore the following concepts this week: Word List: Get a preview of all the words that we’ll be focusing on over the course of this program. Shared Attention: Gain an understanding of the crucial role that joint attention plays in learning and communication and how to maximize it for the benefit of your AAC learner. Multimodal Communication: Learn about different forms of communication and how to incorporate them when supporting a beginning AAC user. Modeling Language with AAC: Consider how to help your AAC learner expand their language abilities by giving... [Read More...]
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 4 of your Stepping into AAC journey! This week, we delve into various concepts that will help you and your AAC learner make AAC use part of daily life. We will explore the following concepts this week: Presume Potential: Learn about the mindset of presuming potential and how to leverage it to create spaces, tools, and opportunities for AAC learners to thrive. Motivate to Communicate: Explore the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and ways to maximize their impact on AAC learning. Attribute Meaning: Consider how we can validate and support AAC learners by attributing meaning to their communicative attempts, even when we aren’t quite sure what they are trying to tell us. Say What You See & Show What You Say: Embrace two strategies that will boost AAC use without pressuring our AAC learners to imitate or comply. Know What Progress in AAC... [Read More...]
September 16, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
About Week 5 Welcome to the fifth week of your Stepping into AAC journey! In Week 5, we do a deep dive into key strategies for beginning AAC users. We will explore the following concepts this week: Say What You See: Familiarize yourself with the concept of narrating the world around us to facilitate language development in AAC learners. Model AAC Without Expectation: Learn about one of the most helpful AAC support strategies we have in our toolbox. Pause – Give Time for AAC Learning: Expand your understanding of ‘wait time’ and the positive role it can play in interactions with AAC users. Make the Most of Requesting: Consider the importance of making requests along with some of the pitfalls of over-emphasizing this aspect of communication. Think Aloud with AAC: By giving voice to our thoughts, feelings, and internal dialogue, we can support the development of cognitive and linguistic skills... [Read More...]