September 7, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
It’s been a depressing week for us. Too many exchanges with SLPs who should know how to ‘do’ this intervention and don’t. Too many conversations with parents who have not been able to access decent AAC services. Too many delays in getting devices in the hands of clients. We’ll get back to being positive and solution-oriented, but first we need to wallow in the misery of it a bit. The case for improved services to individuals with little or no functional speech is perhaps best made by those whose voices we cannot hear in a traditional sense. Below is a sampling of quotations from scholarly and personal writings of and by users of AAC. Michael Twice a week my academic pursuits were interrupted. I was sent out of the classroom and wheeled down to the other end of the building where I was put into a small, airless room to await... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: advocacy, rant, transitions
July 12, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
Buts, buts, buts. Everywhere we turn these days, there are buts. – – Buts about kids “AAC is fine for some kids… …but my student is too ‘low functioning'” …but my client doesn’t have the motor skills” …but the kids I work with aren’t interested” …but I don’t want to give up on speech” …but my children are too young” – –Buts about adults “AAC is great for some situations… …but the parent/teacher won’t use it at home/in the classroom” …but I didn’t learn that when I was in grad school” …but my principal doesn’t support it” …but our practice uses an oral motor approach” – Buts about resources “AAC is a great idea… …but we don’t have that kind of funding” …but I’m too busy to make all that stuff” …but we’re lucky to get a laminator” …but I’m spread too thin as it is” …-. Enough with... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: excuses, rant
May 20, 2012
by Carole Zangari -
– Awhile back I heard from a frustrated student SLP who was in despair over a clinical placement. Great kids. Lots of opportunity for AAC. Experienced supervisor. Motivated student. — So what’s the problem? In this case, it was a student who knew more than her supervisor about AAC. Talk about a sticky situation! Ugh!! – Cleo Clinician felt that if she didn’t use AAC with her young clients, then she wasn’t putting her knowledge of best practices to use and, in the end, the children would be the losers. On the other hand, if she pushed her experienced but somewhat rigid supervisor on the issue, Cleo feared a defensive response. She didn’t want the kids to lose out, but Cleo didn’t want to get on her supervisor’s bad side, either. — So what’s an aspiring clinician to do?? Here are a few tips. — 1. It’s not what you say, it’s how you say... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: rant