What’s it like to have a parent who uses AAC? Matthew Wangeman and his son Elijah team up to tell their story in this wonderful video. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsVzlyD7ArM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1U7y9WtRAaXiRSB-PSDqJ2-s5B9BZxPyQwQETYJX7AgHos7k5b4-nV8r0
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: adult, Disability Awareness, family, parent
While high-quality services for children with complex communication needs can be difficult to obtain, there is no doubt that it accessing appropriate AAC supports is infinitely more difficult for adults who need these services. Today, we return to the wonderful webinar series presented by USSAAC and hosted by ISAAC for some valuable information on a systematic approach to teaching AAC to adults with cognitive communication difficulties. Oregon-based SLP Aimee Mooney shares important principles and practical strategies that can help adults with AAC needs to be successful. We are grateful to Ms. Mooney, USSAAC, and ISAAC for making this information available to the AAC community. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z53lD-n5OeA
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: adult, cognitive communication difficulties, USSAAC
When learners are still struggling with communication in their teenage years and beyond, it means we have a lot of catching up to do. There are lots of implications for us as SLPs, of course, but the main one is this: Every interaction should have a purpose. As we head to the waiting room or classroom to see this student, we’re focused on how we can elicit practice on meaningful skills in the next few minutes. On a good day, we can use these few minutes before the session productively. Before we get to the therapy room we try to: use expectant pauses and graduated prompting to elicit a greeting at his/her highest level engage him/her in conversation to practice social exchanges provide opportunities for him/her to respond to a non-obligatory communicative context and facilitate a response make basic requests, like asking for help to open the door that we’ve... [Read More...]
Filed under: Strategy of the Month
Tagged With: adolescent, adult, anchor chart, download, resources, teen, visual supports
We’re thrilled to continue our Fresh Look series in celebration of Better Hearing and Speech Month (#BHSM). In this post, Dr. Melanie Fried Oken, from the Oregon Health and Science University, talks about some AAC strategies for people with dementia. I was captivated by her 2012 presentation on this topic at ISAAC 2012, and knew it was important to be able to share some of you work with you. We have much to offer these individuals with dementia, and Melanie’s post and linked resources are a great way to get started. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Hey, what about us AAC providers who work with adults? We love reading PrAACtical AAC and can often adjust the tips, equipment recommendations, and strategies to meet our population needs. So when Carole gave me an opportunity to blog about AAC for adults with dementia, I grabbed the chance. I’d like to share with you some facts about... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: acquired disorder, adult, dementia, Fresh Look, Melanie Fried-Oken, visual supports