Tag Archive: no tech
January 8, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
While we are incredibly grateful for all of the high tech AAC options that are currently available, there is no denying that no tech and low tech communication tools play an important role in a comprehensive AAC system. Today, we turn to Margaret Cotts, a veteran AT Specialist, for an overview of no and low tech tools. This webinar is made possible by CoughDrop and was originally presented as part of their free, annual conference, AAC in the Cloud. Our thanks to Margaret and the wonderful team for hosting this event and sharing this helpful video. You can find the handout for this session here. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j4a_rk5g9s You can see some of Margaret’s other work here.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: low tech, no tech
June 28, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
We’re so pleased to welcome back Dr. Carol Goossens’, an AAC pioneer who is an internationally-recognized consultant, SLP, and Special Educator from New York. Throughout her career, she has consulted extensively in a variety of classrooms serving the full spectrum of children with special needs. Dr. Goossens’ has presented both nationally and internationally about her collaborative work with teachers, therapists, and families. In today’s post, she shares a treasure trove of ideas on using wearable AAC. Learn more about her approach to using vest displays in this extensive post. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Using Vest Displays with Preschoolers on the Autism Spectrum When working with students on the spectrum, we often struggle to gain and maintain their attention, especially during group activities such as Circle Time/Morning Meeting. The songs offered during Circle Time, however, create a great forum for working on a variety of communication skills, e.g., claiming a turn, announcing a song, choosing... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Carol Goossens', communication displays, no tech, preschool, visual supports
May 18, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
When we think of AAC apps, expressive communication and voice output generally come to mind. But there are other kinds of AAC apps, too, including those that are used to create printable materials. Today, we hear from a clinician who uses this kind of AAC app on a regular basis. Georgia Karavias is a speech language pathologist whose career has centered around working with school-aged children and adolescents who have physical disabilities and communication difficulties. Georgia is passionate about utilizing alternative access methods and inclusive technologies to enable independent communication using AAC systems. She currently works at Scope’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre (CIRC) as part of the communication access team in a community capacity building role. In this post, she talks about how she uses AAC and visual supports created with an app developed at her workplace. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I am a speech pathologist who has worked with children with complex... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Apps, no tech, visual schedules, visual support
May 4, 2013
by Carole Zangari -
We love AAC technology and are deeply grateful for the options that are available to people with significant communication difficulties. We’re strong supporters of voice output systems and the autonomy they give to the children and adults with whom we work. On the other hand, we have great respect and much fondness for the “no tech” communication aids and visual supports. As a student clinician, I made my first conversation book for Sherri, a young lady who had learned Bliss at school but had no communication materials in the institution where she was living. In my days as a clinical fellow, I got ratted out by Davey, a client who used his 100-location Bliss board to tell the supervisor that I gave out seconds on coffee even though the rule was one cup per person. (I knew I should never have taught him interjections!) There’s no doubt – communication boards... [Read More...]
Filed under: Strategy of the Month
Tagged With: color, color coding, communication book, Crain, Elder, Fitzgerald Key, Goossens', no tech, strategy
June 3, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
Last week, we visited with a wonderful early intervention team who is committed to helping their program better serve babies and toddlers with AAC needs. Like any program, funds are limited and while we talked a bit about high tech AAC equipment, most of our conversation was about how simple solutions can make a big difference. – Simple is good. – We love finding low-cost ways to help children play, sit, move, learn, and communicate. But buying or making the materials is just the beginning. The real power comes from figuring out how to use it to give children control and allow them to be actively involved in the world around them. – For this week, we return to SET BC for their outstanding 3-part series by Susie Blackstien-Adler on this topic. Each segment of the Simple Technology for Participation series is less than 30 minutes long and is full... [Read More...]
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: intervention, low tecg, no tech