Tag Archive: resources
March 24, 2015
by Carole Zangari -
You don’t have to do AAC work for very long before you become acutely aware that many of our prAACtical friends experience chronic pain. We can all relate to the ways in which pain impacts a person’s behavior and participation in life experiences. Even very low-level pain can be terribly distracting, highly annoying, and cause us to have difficulty concentrating. From GERD to muscle spasms to constipation, children with AAC needs often experience pain that goes undetected or inadequately treated. In today’s post we look at some resources for assessing pain in children with disabilities. Thanks to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for these fine resources. You can access their resources here and watch a brief video on pain in children with cerebral palsy here.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: family, pain, resources
September 26, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
This resource from AAC Scotland has lots of great tips and strategies for helping to make communication exchanges with people who use AAC more successful. We love that many of them are straight from people who communicate with AAC. It is very interactive so make sure to click and explore. You can also download a pamphlet explaining AAC here.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: AAC Scotland, interaction, partners, resources
July 31, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We are so pleased to have a return visit by SLP Jeanne Tuthill. In this post, she shares an informal assessment activity based around a Book of Favorites. Enjoy! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Greetings from Massachusetts! My work at the Collaborative for Educational Services is on a school-year contract so I’m currently on summer break with my three girls. We’ve been plenty busy with fun summer activities but my learning and growing as an AAC therapist isn’t tied to my contract dates. I’ve also been busy watching webinars, reading some great books (educational as well as pleasure-reading), and following the Facebook feeds of some of my favorite AAC peeps! I really wish I could have attended ISAAC in Lisbon, Portugal this year…I loved seeing everyone’s photos and posts from what looked to be a spectacular conference! In my last post on assessment I shared with you an ice-breaker activity that is low-stress for... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment, Books, download, Jeanne Tuthill, resources
July 9, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
We had a real chuckle when this photo came across our Twitterfeed (@PrAACticalAAC-Robin, @CommGreenhouse-Carole). The discussion that followed led us to think about our favorite ways of storing those little gems. Slide protectors and sports card protectors Hanging jewelry organizers Tackle and utility boxes Craft boxes for beads Tabbed coupon wallets Do you have a favorite way of storing the icons and picture symbols that you use in your therapy? We’d love to know about it.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: picture symbols, pictures, resources, storage
June 24, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
If you’re like most SLPs, you didn’t learn a lot about teaching clients to use alternative access in your graduate program. This resource document from the ACE Centre North provides a great overview of switch skills and includes a number of prAACtical intervention tips. Take a look! Direct link to handout: http://acecentre.org.uk/Websites/aceoldham/images/InfoSheets/DevelopingSwitchingSkills.pdf
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: access, ACE Centre North, alternative access, resources, switch
May 26, 2014
by Robin Parker -
This month’s ‘Strategy of the Month’ has been focused on supporting families. To fully support families, it is essential to provide family friendly resources that can aid in creating Personal Learning Networks (PLN’s). The more families know and learn, the more likely the AAC learner will progress in their communication skills. Also, the more information families have, the better advocates they will become. And since families are one of the only constants in an AAC learner’s educational and life journey, the family is really the most important part the communication team. About AAC About AAC- ASHA AAC Institute- Parent’s Corner Center for AAC & Autism AAC -Family Resources Assistive Technology Resources- Autism Speaks Communication Matters Communication Books & Boards ConnectAbility http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/ Pre-made Communication Boards Help Designing Communication Books Free & Discounted AAC Apps Appy Malls Smart Apps for Kids Moms with Apps The iMums Apps Wheel *(categorized wheel of apps to... [Read More...]
Filed under: Strategy of the Month
Tagged With: Apps, communication boards, COmmunication Books, Family support, resources
May 15, 2014
by Robin Parker -
About Teaching Core Words Teaching Core Vocabulary Core Vocabulary All Day Long 5 Things To Do If You’re Not Confident Teaching Core Vocabulary Joining Core and Fringe Vocabulary What’s The Connection: Visual Schedules and Core Vocabulary Core Words and the Curriculum Core Words, Direct Vocabulary Instruction, & The Beginning Communicator Core Vocabulary: Making Sense of Symbols More on Teaching Core Vocabulary Thoughts on Teaching Core Vocabulary Teaching Core Vocabulary with Direct Instruction Strategies Core Vocabulary- Specific Teaching Ideas PrAACtical AAC Core Words & July Fourth: Get Ready, Get Set, Go Cookies and Core August Core Word PrAACtice Ideas September PrAACtice With A Year of Core Words October PrAACtice With A Year of Core Words November Core Word PrAACtice Ideas December Core Word PrAACtice Ideas Core Word Vocabulary Words A Year of Core Vocabulary Another Year of Core Vocabulary The First 12: Getting Started With Core Words More on Core Words:... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: core vocabulary, resources, teaching strategies
May 14, 2014
by Robin Parker -
Learn with AbleNet University. Watch excellent free AAC webinars. There are live and recorded webinars so you can learn at your convenience. Share the information with colleagues and families. Give an AAC Gift. Create AAC informational bookmarks and distribute to educators, staff, and families. Print some free communication boards. Go to the PrAACtical AAC e-Tool Box and print out some great core word or activity specific communication boards. Put in your AAC clinic tool box or share with educators or families. Debunk AAC Myths. Use our AAC Myth buster quotes. Print and hang in public spaces so everyone can be an AAC myth buster. Learn and PrAACtice a New AAC System (device or app). Go to prAACtical AAC’s Teach Me Tuesdays and choose an app or device to learn- (Alexicom, Proloquo2go, PRC Accent, The Grid, Tap Speak Button & Sequence, Avaz, Tobii C8, Proloquo4Text, Go Talk Now Text, Nova... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Learning, resources
March 24, 2014
by Robin Parker -
Literacy instruction involves lots of reading and writing. Last week, Carole discussed using storybook reading and the RAAP (Read, Ask, Answer, Prompt) strategy by Drs. Cathy Binger and Jennifer Kent-Walsh to teach communication and literacy. To use storybooks with all learners we need to have lots of books that are easily accessible. Books need to be accessible physically as well as through content and interest. It is lucky that with all of today’s on-line resources there is an abundance of ways to obtain as well as make and write storybooks. All learners can and should be be involved in both the reading and writing process. Not only do literacy skills improve but so do communication skills. Involving Learners in the Storybook Process Reader & Writer Vocabulary- Facilitate involvement by using reader and writer vocabulary. Refer to learners as “readers”, “authors”, “editors”, “publishers”, “critics”, etc. When you are treated and referred... [Read More...]
Filed under: Strategy of the Month
Tagged With: adapted books, literacy, resources, writing
January 18, 2014
by Robin Parker -
It’s been an awesome PrAACtical Week. Take a look: Sunday: PrAACtical Communication and a Business Monday: PrAACtical Communication Opportunities in SLP Sessions Tuesday: Does AAC Really Work with Infants and Toddlers? Wednesday: Watch It Wednesday – Creating and Using Routines to Promote Interaction Thursday: Throwback Thursday – Visual Schedule Round-Up Friday: A PrAACtical Note of Appreciation (Don’t miss the downloads!)
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: resources