119 Search Results for tabi

From Activity-based AAC to Robust Language: Part 2

November 2, 2015 by - 4 Comments

From Activity-based AAC to Robust Language: Part 2

Last week, we talked a bit about activity-based communication displays (ABCDs), and the role they play for AAC learners. The analogy of feeding someone (with ABCDs) versus teaching them to fish for themselves (with robust AAC), resonated with many of you. In some cases, ABCDs can be a good way for therapists, educators, and families to take steps forward in their implementation of AAC. They allow students with little or no functional speech a way to participate in activities by making choices and comments, and that is a very good thing for those who don’t have a better option. There are a few drawbacks to ABCDs, though. Here are some of them. ABCDs limit language development. The learner can only experience the exact words and configurations that appear on a particular display. The learner has no way to expand his/her utterance by including other words or concepts. ABCDs are time-consuming... [Read More...]

AAC Teamwork: Encouraging Colleagues – PrAACtical Tool # 3

September 10, 2015 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Teamwork: Encouraging Colleagues - PrAACtical Tool # 3

AAC is best played as a team sport. We’ve written about doing this with AAC inservice training, using AT throughout the school day, building classroom conversations, and other tools for using AAC in the classroom. No matter how you view it, AAC interventionists have to support one another. In this post, we continue our series of sharing printables that can be used to provide a little encouragement and recognition of our colleagues who are out there every day trying to do their best for AAC learners. You can download the bookmarks here, print and laminate them back-to-back, and share with with families, teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, and others who are with you on this journey. And, if you missed the earlier printables, you can get those here and here.  

AAC Teamwork: Encouraging Colleagues – PrAACtical Tool #2

August 27, 2015 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Teamwork: Encouraging Colleagues - PrAACtical Tool #2

Even when everyone has good intentions, AAC implementation doesn’t happen overnight. Strengthening our resolve to learn the student’s AAC system, model it as we speak to them, provide instruction, and give ample opportunities for practice takes commitment and leadership. In the past, we’ve talked about strategies to get the team onboard with skills like aided language input, using no-tech communication boards to build language, and shared training materials. In this series, we’re sharing some printables to recognize the efforts of our team members, and keep them energized to keep going. Here is the second set of tags/bookmarks to share with your teams. You can download them here. If you missed the first set, you can get those here.

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week 25: June, 2015

June 21, 2015 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week 25: June, 2015

Monday – How I Do It: Classroom CORE Book by Tabi Jones-Wohleber Tuesday – “What’s Wrong?” AAC Messages for Negative Emotions and Feelings Wednesday – Video of the Week: Communication Through Eye Pointing Thursday – Site of the Month: Miami Dade County PreKindergarten Program for Children with Disabilities

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week 20, May 2015

May 17, 2015 by - Leave your thoughts

AAC Posts from PrAACtical Week 20, May 2015

Monday – Sound/Music Cause and Effect Apps for Engaging AAC Learners Tuesday – Say What?!?  AAC Assessment for Children Who Speak with Dr. Jill Senner and Matthew Baud Wednesday  – Video of the Week: Communication Supports for Problem Behavior with Dr. Pat Mirenda Thursday – How I Do It: The All-in-One-Visual-Support Tool by Tabi Jones-Wohleber

How I Do It by Rachael Langley – PODD in the Classroom: Portable, Wearable, & Comfortable

October 23, 2014 by - 11 Comments

How I Do It by Rachael Langley - PODD in the Classroom: Portable, Wearable, & Comfortable

We return to Michigan today to hear more from school-based SLP, Rachael Langley. In this post, Rachael shares some prAACtical thoughts on making PODD books always available for communication. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The PODD system offers a complete language approach through carefully organized symbol sets. Because the PODD system promotes a language immersion model, there is no pressure on our language-learners reproducing specific words or patterns at a specific rate. The primary requirement is that adults are modeling PODD for our language-learners. In order to be sure that the PODD books were being used throughout the day, the books had to be PORTABLE, WEARABLE, and COMFORTABLE. Forget any of these three features and PODD books are at a high risk of being stuck on a shelf. My new hobby has become collecting other people’s ideas for how to make PODD books comfortable to carry around. I’ll spare you the pictures of my... [Read More...]

Resources for Families- PLN’s

May 26, 2014 by - 2 Comments

Resources for Families-PLN's

This month’s ‘Strategy of the Month’ has been focused on supporting families.  To fully support families, it is essential to provide family friendly resources that can aid in creating Personal Learning Networks (PLN’s).  The more families know and learn, the more likely the AAC learner will progress in their communication skills. Also, the more information families have, the better advocates they will become. And since families are one of the only constants in an AAC learner’s educational and life journey, the family is really the most important part the communication team.  About AAC About AAC- ASHA AAC Institute- Parent’s Corner Center for AAC & Autism AAC -Family Resources Assistive Technology Resources- Autism Speaks Communication Matters Communication Books & Boards ConnectAbility http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/ Pre-made Communication Boards Help Designing Communication Books  Free & Discounted AAC Apps Appy Malls Smart Apps for Kids Moms with Apps The iMums Apps Wheel *(categorized wheel of apps to... [Read More...]

10 AAC Things to Do for Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month

April 1, 2014 by - 1 Comment

10 AAC Things to Do for Autism Acceptance Month

We love  Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. There is so much excitement and great community activities.  The month becomes very busy so we love choosing events and projects that facilitate autism acceptance and AAC learning.  We pass out materials, have contests, do extra trainings and have many public awareness events.  We make sure to support our events and activities with AAC materials.   Here are some of the things we do and recommend to support AAC and Autism learning. Please share any activities or projects that you know about. Bake, share, & eat some desserts. Use and include visual recipes when cooking. Need inspiration?..  Go to Your Special Chef for shopping lists and recipes.  Educate peers visually by using the Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone with Autism by Ellen Sabin Develop & Use a personal participation story (modified social story) to let alert someone that this will... [Read More...]

5 Resources for Creating AAC and Visual Support Materials

March 21, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

5 Resources for Creating AAC and Visual Support Materials

We are fortunate to be prAACticing at a time when there are so many options for creating visual supports and AAC materials. From sophisticated to simple From costly to free From PCS to SmartySymbols and more From one-time purchase to ongoing subscription From computer to mobile device There is a way for prAACtically anyone to make AAC materials, picture schedules, and other visual supports. Here are some of the products we use. Boardmaker Custom Boards SymPrint LessonPix ConnectAbility Visuals Engine