August 15, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ways to help your team strengthen their AAC practices? Lots of families and professionals are on a journey to provide better AAC support and today’s featured video has information and tips that may help. You can get the handouts for this presentation here. Many thanks to Stephanie Reed and Saltillo for making this available. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvX8Y-pi5Ws
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC implementation, implementation
August 9, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for a few more tips to smooth out your AAC implementation? Here are a few to try out. Do you have parents or other stakeholders observing your therapy or lesson? Get them focused and engaged by having them collect data. For example, you can print out a copy of the child’s main AAC screens and have them make a hash mark on the words that their child uses during the observation. This won’t substitute for your own data but is a great way to keep them involved and help them focus on the target behaviors. Take a photo or screenshot of the main page of a client’s communication book or AAC device/app and make it the home screen on your phone. You can use it to model AAC when the other options are not available. It’s far from perfect but can be helpful in a pinch. Keep an AAC Wish... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC implementation
February 21, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ways to strengthen the implementation of AAC for the children and adults with whom you work? Today, we turn to the Center for Technology and Disability (CTD) for an archived webinar that covers the development of a plan that teams can implement. SLP Laura Kessel discusses AAC implementation plans that lay out the tools, strategies, prompting methods, activities, and communication targets along with the roles of various team members. Our appreciation to Laura for the information and to CTD for hosting this video and keeping it open for all to view. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AprSi-x1PAQ
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC implementation, Center for Technology and Disability
January 16, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
It’s exciting to see so many graduate student SLPs and new graduates who are interested in working with people with AAC needs. We hear from them frequently with questions about how to be effective in their therapy and the practical aspects of running a good therapy session. Here are some tips we frequently share with those who are starting to implement AAC with young children. Use a visual schedule for every session. The operative word there is ‘use.’ Making a schedule for our therapy is a great start, but unless we really use the schedule all throughout the session, it’s unlikely to provide many benefits. Go to it as soon as you get into the room, AND before and after every activity. (For those who are interested, there is more on making and effectively implementing visual schedules here. Trust the process. You will need to do this at least 4-8... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC implementation, early intervention, preschool, therapy
October 21, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Each October, we like to share stories of people who use AAC throughout the day. to gain insight from those who have found a way to prioritize AAC despite their hectic and complicated lives. Today, Erin Compton shares some of the keys to making AAC a priority in her busy family. You can learn more about Erin and her family on their blog, Lotsacomptons and Room for More. In this post, Erin give us some tips on getting started in AAC and keeping up the momentum. Enjoy! Our journey into the world of AAC began last year with the adoption of our two sons from China. Philip and Arthur both have cerebral palsy and developmental delays from years in an orphanage. Just recently they began using communication devices so we have jumped in feet first to all things AAC. We are already having great success so I’m here to share some of the... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC implementation, families