September 17, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
We’ve been busy recovering from Hurricane Irma but wanted share a few posts with you nonetheless. Wednesday – Video of the Week: AAC Data Collection The events of the week gave us an opportunity to connect with friends, near and far. It also made us think about how far we have to go in learning the best ways to help AAC learners build meaningful and lasting friendships. Here are some previous posts on that topic. On Friendship: Supporting AAC Learners A Recipe for Friendship Friendship Skills for Children with ASD Who Use AAC 5 Ways That SLPs Can Support Friendships for People Who Use AAC 5 (More) Resources for Supporting Friendships in Individuals who use AAC
September 3, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
And just like that, it’s ‘Goodbye, Summer’ and ‘Hello Fall.’ It’s been a busy time preparing for the transition, and you may have missed some posts from last week. Here’s what was shared: Monday – PrAACtically September: AAC Resources for a Year of Core Vocabulary Wednesday – Video of the Week: Keep It Fun, Flexible, & Available. AAC All Day Long in the Special Needs Classroom Thursday – PrAACtical Resources on Language Development :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Not enough reading material to browse? Here are some posts on AAC in the Classroom that may be of interest. AAC in the High School Classroom: Where Core Vocabulary Meets Life Skills TELL ME: AAC in the Preschool Classroom How We Do It: AAC in the Special Education Classroom AAC in the Classroom for Students with Significant Disabilities – Implementation & Data Collection 5 Visual Supports for the AAC Classroom
March 16, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Have you ever thought of making short videos to illustrate the meaning of the core words you are teaching to your AAC learners? If so, this post is right up your alley. Teacher Angie Sheets and SLP Nicole Wingate have teamed up to bring the power of video to core vocabulary instruction and are here to share the fruits of their labor. For the past 17 years, Angie has been teaching Intense Interventions to students from kindergarten through grade 4 at Bluffton Harrison Elementary School. Her AAC experiences range from “DIY on the fly” (anything that can be made in a classroom at little to no cost and meets an immediate need) to high tech. (You can follow her on Twitter @asheetsroom14). Nicole also works for the Bluffton Harrison school system, servicing pre-k through 12th grade students. Her AAC experience includes no tech (e.g., picture boards, PECS), low tech (e.g.,... [Read More...]
July 17, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Monday – Make It Monday: Manual Communication Boards with Core Vocabulary Wednesday – Video of the Week: AAC in the Classroom for Students with Significant Disabilities – Implementation & Data Collection Thursday – PrAACtical Supports for Young AAC Learners: Recipes for Success, Part 2
April 26, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Isn’t it amazing how sophisticated some of the SGDs and AAC apps have become? We all realize the importance of looking at their features and making selections based on assessment information and data from trial periods. Beyond that, there are features that are important to us as interventionists. Here are some to look for as you explore AAC apps and traditional SGDs. Data collection: The history feature is very helpful, but many high tech SGDs and AAC apps can be configured to gather additional data that we can use for a variety of purposes. Busy professionals appreciate this information and can use it in their assessments and goal-setting. Data analysis: A few AAC software programs and apps even help us make sense of the data that is gathered. This allows us to adjust our therapy and support plans to better meet the needs of our clients. Easy and reliable back-up:... [Read More...]
September 15, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
We are pleased to welcome back Dr. Jill Senner and Matthew Baud to talk about a topic near and dear to my heart: language sampling. Jill is an AAC SLP and the owner of Technology and Language Center. An experienced AAC interventionist, she has presented at numerous national conferences and has taught graduate AAC courses. You can follow Jill on Pinterest or visit her at the TALC Facebook page. Matthew (@Mbaud12/Twitter) is the AT Coordinator at Niles Township District for Special Education where he conducts AAC evaluations, trainings, and coaching of AAC. He has an AAC private practice and is an adjunct AAC instructor at Saint Xavier University. Matthew has presented at several national and state conferences. In this post, they share their favorite tips and resources for language sampling and language sample analysis. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Language sample analysis is an oldie but a goodie in the field of speech-language pathology. While writing down and analyzing what children say is not a new idea,... [Read More...]
May 15, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
– This is the first week of a new semester for us, and that means we get the pleasure of introducing a new crop of student SLPs to clients with AAC needs. We’ve been busy looking at lesson plans, discussing goals and objectives, listening to ideas for therapy activities, and helping to develop plans for data collection. With those recent conversations buzzing in our ears, here are some thoughts about getting AAC therapy sessions off to a good start. – 1. Connect with the client and family before the first session. Take some time to plan out questions that will help you get to know their expectations, family culture, and daily routine. 2. Know the history. Go beyond the diagnosis and device. Take time to research what’s been done before, how that worked out, and, if you can, how that was perceived. Knowing where the client has been on his/her... [Read More...]
April 1, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
If March was as busy for you as it was for us, then you may have missed some of these posts. Grading exams, meeting with students, clinical paperwork, grant-writing, teaching, travel, etc. Know wonder we’re tired! Enjoy this bit of catch-up. – The Fives 5 Great Resources for Helping Individuals with Vision and Hearing Loss AAC on the Go: 5 Tips for Traveling with AAC Tech it Up’- 5 Visual Schedule Apps 5 Resources for AAC Data Collection 5 Tips to Make AAC Assessments Run Smoothly 5 References to Support AAC Use – PrAACtical Thinking 1. The Secret to Succeeding At Anything 2. National Quilting Day & Employment 3. AAC and March Madness 4. Games are More Than Fun… Gaming for ALL 5. Hearing the Knock 6. HijAACked! AAC & Anti-Bullying with Stand Tall, Mary Lou Melon! 7. Emergencies and Resources to Help 8. Random Acts of Kindness 9. Do... [Read More...]
January 4, 2012
by Robin Parker -
PrAACtical AAC was started by two professors of speech-language pathology, Robin Parker and Carole Zangari, both passionate about AAC. Our blog is a virtual space where we can muse aloud about the state of the field, share information about implementing AAC strategies, provide resources, and discuss news of interest to the AAC community. Robin passed away in July 2014. Carole continues to blog on a variety of AAC topics. You can read more about our blogging journey here and here. PrAACtical AAC’s Mission: To improve the level of AAC services available to individuals with significant communication challenges by supporting speech-language pathologists and other interested stakeholders Disclosure: This blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. While we write for our own purposes, we may be influenced by our background, occupation, religion, political affiliation, and/or experiences. We occasionally accept products for giveaways or review. We try to avoid... [Read More...]