In my last blog, I introduced the idea of using eBooks to provide independent access to books for students with significant disabilities. eBooks are an electronic version of a printed book which can be read on a personal computer or hand-held device designed specifically for this purpose (Oxford Dictionary of English). eBooks can also be [...]
Did you know that typically developing children from literate homes have heard their favorite stories 200 to 400 times (Adams, 1990)? For some students with significant disabilities, access to books can be challenging. Many students have difficulty manipulating books due to physical disabilities (ex., cerebral palsy) while others have difficulty accessing books due to sensory [...]
Every January 1st, I set out to make resolutions for the upcoming year. But why not create resolutions for the new school year? When working with students who use AAC devices, it is often a challenge to juggle everything you need to do to support their communication and learning. I’ve tried to come up with [...]
Whether we are on Facebook or Twitter, many of us have caught the social media bug. It is a way to stay in touch with family and friends who live far away or reconnect with people from our past. We can even use social media to keep up with the latest news and trends. A [...]
With all of the hustle-bustle that happens in a typical classroom, it may be easy to become distracted while trying to keep organized in the midst of chaos. While it is often difficult to find the time, ongoing staff training is necessary to ensure that you are supporting successful AAC device use by your students. [...]
I (along with millions of other people) watched the Super Bowl this year. While I am gradually acquiring a taste for football, I mostly watch the Superbowl for the commercials, yummy snacks and good company. When I got ready to write this week’s blog posting I began to think of football and AAC were a [...]
I thought that I would share some of the most frequently asked questions (and their answers) that I have received over the past 15 years while providing consultative AAC services in the classroom. Here they are:
Question: When should we start using symbols to support language, literacy and the curriculum?
Answer: The time is now!
Using picture symbols [...]
Here we are again – the end of another school year. I can’t believe it! I like to use this time as an opportunity to reflect on the past year and spend time thinking about resolutions and goals for the next year. I’m not one to create ridiculous resolutions. I’ve been down that road before. [...]
For students who rely on AAC devices for communication, there is no such time as “speech time.” Communication happens all day long. I have witnessed this many times in my career. The AAC device comes out of the backpack when the Speech-Language Pathologist comes to fetch the student for therapy. Communication happens all day long. [...]
I’ve learned many “more or less” statements throughout my lifetime. From Weight Watchers, I learned to Move more – Eat less. From my dog, I learned to Wag more – Bark less. From my mother, I learned to Smile more – Frown less. I would have to say that I have learned the most “more [...]
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