Tag Archive: download
June 26, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Know anyone who has access to AAC tools but doesn’t yet use them throughout the day? Keiran has a new AAC app that is well-populated with core vocabulary. Gabbie has had an SGD for awhile but doesn’t use it as frequently as her team had hoped. Hudson is transitioning from PECS to an AAC device with more robust language. While different in many ways, each of these learners has a common need: frequent opportunities to learn about and use core vocabulary. To accomplish this, their SLPs, teachers, and families select a dozen or so core words and pay special attention to those each month. That allows them to highlight this small group of words using focused language stimulation, aided language input, and specific activities designed to teach or practice them. In previous years, we shared lists of some core words to help you do just that. Set 1 (2013:... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: A Year of Core Words, Another Year of Core Words, download
April 27, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
It is just about time to flip the calendar to a new page, and that means it’s time for a new set of core words to model, elicit, and practice. In this post, we have a number of resources and an announcement (**scroll to the bottom**) for those who’ve tried their hand at implementation. Thanks to all who’ve reached out with questions, comments, and words of appreciation for the Year of Core Vocabulary series. Here are some helpful resources for those who are using the words in Set 1 ( 2013 Year of Core Words) or Set 2 (Another Year of Core Words). If you are contemplating this approach, feel free to jump in at any time. The best time to start (or re-start) is right now. Don’t worry about retracing steps, or not ‘doing it right.’ The best way to get better at core vocabulary instruction is just to... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: download, resources, Year of Core Vocabulary
March 9, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for information of use to service providers, people who use AAC, and their families? Our March Site of the Month features a website that fits the bill. Scope, an Australian disability service agency, has information and downloadable resources that you may want to explore. Here are some of the highlights. CIRCus Blog The agency supports a blog with content from Scope’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre and includes several topics related to AAC. Eye gaze: For people with significant motor difficulties, eye pointing or eye gaze may play an important role in their access to communication. Having communication partners who know how to maximize the success of this strategy can make the difference between incredible success and perpetual struggle. In this post, they walk us through the process of supporting people who use eye gaze. Schedules: Therapists and teachers regularly use visual schedules to help people with AAC needs... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Communication Bill of Rights, download, Site of the Month
February 23, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
For comprehensive AAC systems, there is no doubt that we need access to tools with the communication symbols that match our client’s needs. There are times, though, when ‘free’ and ‘simple’ fits the bill. Whether you are a graduate student clinicians/teacher, parent, or professional, these tools may come in handy. Picto4Me: This executable program works with Google Chrome and allows you to create communication boards and other visual supports at no cost. You can view and use the boards online via computer or mobile device or print them. This program offers voice output and scanning, too. ARASAAC: We’ve written about the wonderful resources at the Aragonese Portal of AAC in previous posts. Keep them in mind as you are searching for symbols or creating AAC supports. Trial versions: Some companies offer a free trial of their symbol software or programs so that consumers can try before they buy. We love... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: communication book, download, free
February 20, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Last week, we posted about taking data on communication partners, something that can be very helpful when we are looking for ways to expedite the AAC user’s progress. Based on feedback from that post, we’re sharing a sample data collection form for this purpose. Do you have another idea for collecting data on the behavior of communication partners? We’d love to hear about it.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: data collection, download, forms, partners
February 13, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some additional AAC-related resources? CALL Scotland has some wonderful resources that can be displayed as posters, and/or used as handouts for meetings/trainings (click here). Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find. And don’t miss this interactive flyer that takes you to PowerPoint books. ‘Thanks to the wonderful team at CALL Scotland for making and sharing these terrific resources.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC apps, Android, download, eye gaze, resources
November 7, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Symbols, templates, software, tools, and more. That’s what you’ll find on the November PrAACtical Site of the Month: ARASAAC, the Aragonese Portal of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Supported by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports of the Aragonese Government and the General Directorate of Innovation, Equality and Participation, this award-winning site has been serving the AAC community for over two decades. They may be best known for the picture symbols that they share so freely, which allows professionals, users of AAC, and families to create free resources in Catalan, Euskera, English, French, German, Italian, Galician, Portuguese, Spanish, and more. The online tools section has a variety of things to explore including tools to make communication boards, animations (gifs), schedules and calendars, custom symbols, and games. There are also wonderful resources for Spanish Sign Language in pictures and videos. There is also a Materials Exchange section where you can download communication... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC Resources, app, download, software
October 26, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
And just like that, we’re ready to say goodbye to October. It’s been a great month of AAC Awareness events and activities (whew!), and now we are prepping for November. Looking for some ways to help your AAC learners become more competent in using core words? Need to get staff on board with modeling core vocabulary? Trying to get familiar with where core words are stored in a particular SGD or AAC app? Here’s an approach you may want to try: Choose a dozen or so core words to focus on each month. In previous years, we shared lists of some core words to help you do just that. 2013: A Year of Core (12 words/month) 2014: A(nother) Year of Core (16 words/month; Note: These are different than the core words covered in 2013) Those posts have links to downloadable grids with the core words for each month that can be used... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: A Year of Core Words, Another Year of Core Words, Books, Calendar, download
October 6, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
It’s time for another AT Recipe for Success with SLP Sara Barnhill and the AT Team at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Today, we’re learning how they use extension activities based on the book, Pete the Cat Rockin’ in My School Shoes, to help families have fun and build AAC skills at the same time. Sara and her colleagues have been incredibly generous in sharing their work over the past several months. If you missed them over the the past few months, you can view previous posts here. Each one has parent handouts for you to download. As a member of the AT Core team, Sara is involved in AAC evaluations and therapy in the hospital’s clinics, out-patient program and Transitional Care Unit. CHoR’s AT Program is one of few comprehensive AT programs in Central Virginia. The program provides AT evaluations, equipment and training to people of all ages, enabling children and adults with disabilities to... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: download, family, home, parent
September 26, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
One of the most incredible things about the families and professionals who work in the field of AAC is their willingness to share the materials they create. In this post, we link to some of those wonderful sites where you can go to peruse and use AAC materials for communication, therapy, and classroom instruction. Kudos to all the companies and individuals who work so hard to make this collegiality possible! Speaking of Speech Materials Exchange (AAC) Lesson Pix Sharing Center Boardmaker Online CoughDrop Publicly-shared Boards Smarty Symbols Activity Library We’re just getting started and ready to expand this list in future posts. Do you have favorite places to go for sharing AAC materials? Let us know so we can continue to develop this list.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: download, resource, sharing