Are you doing some planning for students with AAC needs? Here are a handful of resources that may be helpful. Vocabulary graphic organizer by Speak for Yourself Form to collect information about fringe vocabulary for home and school by Gateway to Language and Learning Needs assessment by Gail Van Tatenhove
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Why do we work so hard to support effective communication through AAC? In the end, the real goal is to help people live rich and enviable lives. Working toward that starts with a vision and that’s the subject of Erin Sheldon’s talk, Including Maggie. Many thanks to Kathy Howery and the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia for making this available. If you think you know inclusion and if you think you know what the end game is in AAC, don’t skip this. All of us have something to learn from this family’s journey toward an inclusive life. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkf3LD6047s&list=PL6P1FySUgEPR1aG-ZRYi363jtaniNJFqC&index=13
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: inclusion, Inclusive Education, planning
Feeling grateful during this holiday season? It’s hard not to get distracted with all the preparations and celebrations but our AAC mission is more important than ever. What prAACtical things are on your agenda? Here are some possibilities. Just for today… I will speak to an AAC learner using the language he/she is working hard to acquire. I will recognize someone for their efforts to support AAC use. I will read something challenging to see how I can apply it to my AAC work. I will mentally dissect my own therapy or teaching to see where I can improve. I will explore a new AAC-related resource. I will share something of value to the AAC community. I will finish ‘that project.’ I will reach out to a discouraged parent or service provider who is on an AAC journey. I will give feedback to an AAC app developer or SGD manufacturer... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
There’s an old joke about a tourist wandering around New York City in search of the famed musical venue that has been home to countless performances of classical music. After walking in circles, he finally stops a resident to ask for directions, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” “Practice, practice, practice,” was the reply. And so it is with AAC. No matter what their age or disabling condition, there is one thing that every AAC learner needs: Practice. A lot of it. It takes a lot of daily practice for people learning to use AAC in order for them to: Become fluent with their AAC systems Build their vocabularies Develop their syntactic skills Respond more quickly Communicate less effortfully As we’ve said before, we tend to like things that we’re good at and things that are relatively easy for us. It time and a lot practice for some of... [Read More...]
Filed under: Strategy of the Month
Tagged With: Activity Objective Matrix, documentation, download, form, planning