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AAC in the Cloud - Highlighted Sessions

Highlights For the Week of Nov 4, 2024

Modeling AAC Within Storybook Reading Activities
Cheri Dodge Chin
2020
Storybook reading activities are a natural part of the home and school day for children. By incorporating modeling with augmentative communication into these activities, research repeatedly demonstrates that communication partners can easily impact language skills!
AAC & Inclusion -- Leveraging Peer Models
Sarah Gregory
2019
It is easy to agree that all learners should be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment. But sometimes students with complex communication needs are placed in general education classroom without a robust plan for support. Inclusion is not a place, it is a concept and it is not just about physical placement. The goal of general education placement is authentic inclusion, not merely a seat at the table.

Highlights For the Week of Oct 28, 2024

AAC Features that Need to be Developed to Include Marginalized Communities
Lily Huston
2021
Money, sex, and politics are discussions that don't belong at the dinner table, but they do belong in the speech room. Let's talk about how AAC devices need to be edited and straight-up redesigned to support marginalized AAC users wholly throughout their lives!
You’ve Got This! Caregivers as the Driving Force in Early AAC Implementation
Kate Ahern
2019
All parents teach their children to communicate. Without classes or workshops or the direction of a specialist, moms, dads, and caregivers teach language. Yet, when we look at a young (or older) child who is not able to communicate fully using spoken language we become afraid. We don’t know where to start or what to do. Advice varies and everyone has an opinion. This session will focus on looking at the skills all parents draw upon to teach their children to communication and harnessing those skills to teach your child with complex communication needs.
CoughDrop Collab™ - CoughDrop AAC Management Solutions for Districts and Organizations
Scot Wahlquist
2022
Special Education Departments continue to be asked to do more with less. Nationwide, districts are faced with less resources, teachers, staff, and time, but are simultaneously tasked with an increase of heterogeneous groups of students, including those with Assistive Technology needs (including AAC needs), and documentation. Communication is a right. How can districts ensure that every students’ AAC needs are being addressed and not being lost in the shuffle? This session will examine how districts and organizations can leverage CoughDrop’s cloud technology to provide personalized AAC services to greater amounts of students. This session will: Overview the CoughDrop Collab Organization and Management Tool and Resources Explore CoughDrop’s remote management options of district licenses and student and staff users from a central dashboard Investigate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies to integrate CoughDrop’s Individual, Classroom, and Site Licensing options into district initiatives Examine CoughDrop’s integrated features for IEP AAC Goal automated tracking and data reports Discuss CoughDrop privacy controls for AAC teams

Highlights For the Week of Oct 21, 2024

Brian Whitmer - Remote Communication is no Longer an Afterthought
2020
Remote digital communication can be a valuable resource for AAC users for many reasons. With the sudden shift to remote practice it can be difficult to know how to support communicators from a remote setting, and how to best implement AAC from a distance. Come learn about some of the unique features of CoughDrop like built-in two-way texting, virtual assessments, remote editing and reporting, and screen share helping tools, and how they can help support communicators in various settings.
Keyguards to Improve Accessability on iPads & Tablets
Mark Larson
2019
In this presentation we’ll demonstrate how keyguards improve accessibility for AAC apps, how to choose a case for your device that will best suit a keyguard, and the variety of materials and manufacturing methods available today. We’ll also include a discussion of how to best configure the most popular AAC apps for use with a keyguard.

Highlights For the Week of Oct 14, 2024

AAC Assessments
Celeste Helling
2019
The ultimate goal of a comprehensive AAC assessment is effective communication. Given the complexity of AAC evaluation, the diversity of those needing assessment and the constraints imposed by time and reimbursement factors, the need for a systematic, comprehensive approach to assessment is critical to the goal of successful AAC use. But how to get there when there are few systematic assessment protocols available? This session reviews the iOS app AAC Evaluation Genie, an informal assessment framework that provides a cohesive protocol for evaluating the skills that are most commonly looked at during an AAC evaluation process.
Alternative Access Beyond Physical Disabilities
Lily Huston
2020
We know and use alternative access methods for students unable to activate a device with direct selection. But what about our other students? What if we used eye gaze, head, pointing, switch scanning, and partner-assisted scanning for students that have the motor abilities for direct selection?

Highlights For the Week of Oct 7, 2024

Insight for Updating a High-tech AAC with Cognitive Design Perspective
Naz Yilmaz
2021
Since there is no consolidated baseline or roadmap to designing high-tech AAC systems, in this presentation I want to share our one year AAC redesign story. We design AAC for two languages: English and Turkish, and had the chance to experience each step in developing and designing a high-tech AAC. This includes UX research and design, drawing of the symbol cards, arranging them, developer & admin side like coding for language engines. These insights will benefit with professionals in the AAC design field.
AAC Speaker Employment Starts Here
Chris Gibbons
2022
Augmented communicators discuss the importance of recruiting and paying AAC users as public speakers. Each will offer examples of different public speaking engagements, what they need to be successful, how they prepare, unexpected challenges encountered, what they would do differently, and how they get connected with opportunities.

Highlights For the Week of Sep 30, 2024

Eye Gaze for Communication and Independent Learning
Keith Jackson
2019
This session will offer real world experiences using eye gaze to encourage and enhance independent communication and learning skills as an additional method of communication. Through videos, examples, ideas, and resources we will demonstrate how using this method of communication allows the user the ability to participate in games, social media, communication, as well as enhance learning skills in both school and home environments.
Community Communication Supports -- Beyond the Playground
Lauren Greenlief
2023
To provide inclusive environments we need to consider communication supports, not only on the playground but at local attractions too. This presentation will discuss everything you need to know about community communication boards: where they are, how to develop one, and the impact they can have!

Highlights For the Week of Sep 23, 2024

AAC for Fun -- How to Engage & Help Others *Session in Spanish
Claudia Marimon Rigollet and Maria Soledad
2021
Share experiences in Augmentative and Alternative Communication Online in, spanish identifying strategies, activities and resources that allows keeping and development of communication skills and get lots of connection, interaction and fun, for students and communication partners.
AT/AAC in the IEP
Sharon Redmon
2020
Accommodations, Assessments, Tools, when does a UDL become AT! Where, when and how to add AT and AAC into the IEP? Writing IEP's is exhausting and not knowing if you are doing it right can be stressful. This webinar will, while not the most exciting part of what we do, help you have a better understanding of how to have AT/AAC documented and connected throughout the IEP. In this hour-long webinar, we will look at AT consideration, when UDL becomes AT, and how to ensure the Present Levels, assessments, goals, and accommodations are all connected. Examples of what and how to write goals, AT services and devices will be shared. We will also explore how to ensure your goals do not conflict with private practice goals and discuss testing accommodations for state testing. Learning Objectives: In this webinar participants will be able to... Understand the difference between UDL and AT Describe how and where to write AT/AAC into an IEP State importance of having AT/AAC in the IEP

Highlights For the Week of Sep 16, 2024

Alexa, Give me Independence
Jeanna Kakavas
2021
Smart speakers are a game changer for students who can't interact with the world typically. Students with multiple disabilities can use their AAC devices to control their environments This gives our students with the highest needs the ability to control their worlds, just like their typically developing peers.

Highlights For the Week of Sep 9, 2024

Improving AAC Support with Lessons from Distance Learning
Sarah Gregory
2020
There has been a recent pivot in the way AAC support is provided due to the need for distance learning. This is an opportunity to evaluate new and traditional strategies to decide what will be continued upon return to in person learning. Let’s allow creativity and innovation to guide implementation.
Core Communication Workshop -- Accessible Tools to Support Core Learning
Brian Whitmer
2019
Many AAC communicators can benefit from the gradual introduction and modeling of a small set of core words for the week or month. Focusing on a set of core words can also help the support team and families have a concrete area of focus. In this session we will discuss the research backing up this educational strategy and introduce the Communication Workshop, a free, open-licensed, community-driven library of books, videos and activities to support core word implementation across multiple device brands and implementations.

Highlights For the Week of Sep 2, 2024

Overnight Transformation to TeleprAACtice Due to Covid-19 -- Keeping it Real
Jill Tullman & Christie Bowers
2020
With the COVID-19 pandemic, we closed our AAC private practice offices, and we began providing telepractice services to our clients. This presentation will discuss how we accomplished this, share successes and challenges of this service delivery model, tools and strategies we use, and current outcomes. Families’ perspectives will be included.
When More is BETTER: Increasing Motor Automaticity & Decreasing Page Navigation
Amber DeVine-Stinson
2018
The are time when “less is more.” AAC is not one of those times! Increasing availability vocabulary on the main page, increases Motor automaticity and reduce key stoke and the time it takes to gereate a novel utterance.

Highlights For the Week of Aug 26, 2024

When technology breaks -- No-tech and low- tech AAC solutions
Amanda Samperi
2019
Technology fails. It’s a horrible but very real truth. Other times, technology cannot do as much as we would like (like go for a swim with us). During this presentation, we’ll discuss creating backups of systems (high-tech and paper-based), as well as creative solutions to access language across all environments.

Highlights For the Week of Aug 19, 2024

Motivational Interviewing: Cultivating Skilled Communication Partners for AAC Learners
Sarah McKim Thomas
2021
Need help convincing and encouraging communication partners to change how they interact with AAC learners? Tap into Motivational Interviewing: a counseling technique designed to help people discover their own intrinsic motivation to make positive changes in their behavior.
AAC Implementation -- Model as a MASTER PAL
Tabi Jones-Wohleber
2019
A MASTER PAL, or “skilled partner” of an individual who uses AAC engages in authentic and meaningful interactions. However, developing such skills with communication partners is an on-going, nuanced and gradual process. This session lays out a framework for meaningful team dialogue to identify, describe, and discuss interaction behaviors of exemplar communication partners, in digestible chunks. Model as a MASTER PAL has been implemented in a school-based setting, but the content and structure are relevant across environments where AAC communication partners require support to understand and engage in authentic communicative interactions. Participants will be provided access to and an overview of Model as a MASTER PAL modules on the following topics: Model AAC, Motivate, Accept Multiple Modalities, Statements more than Questions, Time, Engage Naturally, Response Not Required, Presume Competence, Appropriate Prompting, and Let the Child Lead.
AAC in the Community: Bridging Communication Gaps Beyond the Classroom
Sarah Weber
2024
Practical ideas to integrate AAC into community-based instruction, empowering individuals to communicate effectively in various real-world settings.

Highlights For the Week of Aug 12, 2024

Sorting Through Tactiles for Literacy & Communication: What Are They & How Do You Use Them?
Kelly Fonner and Donna McNear
2024
This session explores the uses of tactiles, which are growing as an effective instructional strategy. Tactile representations are used for access to literacy and learning, and as a representation of language in both expressive and receptive communication. Presenters will explore two main teaching considerations supporting integrating the use of tactiles or reviewing their use: (1) What are the properties of tactiles? and (2) How do we use them?
AAC: Success with AAC users what I didn't know 20+ years ago and many still don't know
Naomi Herman
2019
I worked with children who were non-verbal and minimally verbal 20+ years ago. There were so many things I didn't know that I wish I had and many people still don't believe now that I know would have made kids I worked with who had no communication have much more communication.
The Development of an Assessment Tool to support AAC Practitioners -- The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC
Suzanne Martin
2020
This session will summarise the origins of The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC and will be useful for AAC Practitioners who want to develop their knowledge of this Assessment tool. A case example will be presented where the Profile was used to assist practitioners working in local services.

Highlights For the Week of Aug 5, 2024

ABCs & AAC - Alphabet Books and AAC Implementation
Kelly Fonner
2018
ABC books connect literacy to communication & give us a purpose to chat. There are a large variety books that can provide a prompt for a lesson, an opportunity for a child to read to themselves, or an engaged time for a parent to read with their child.
How I Learned to Read -- the experience of an AAC user
Cristian Rosas
2019
Yesterday I posted on Facebook, took my medicine, went to class, answered emails, and went out to eat. I can do this because I can read and write. I can read my medicine bottle, my Facebook feed, my class books, emails, and the menu at the restaurant. It was hard to learn to read. I will tell my story about learning to read and how I read and write now.

Highlights For the Week of Jul 29, 2024

Helping Families Build AAC Teams Through Collaboration
Heather Roach
2024
Explore effective collaboration strategies for AAC users, families, educators, and healthcare professionals. Gain insights from a seasoned special education teacher and parent of an AAC user. Learn to create personalized action plans integrating education, therapy, and medical goals. Empower families to advocate effectively and build cohesive AAC teams, leaving with practical tools for inclusive AAC support.
Tips from Parents of Kids Who Use AAC Systems
Kelly Fonner & Moms
2019
Kelly is excited to bring together this panel of Mothers who have children of a variety of ages (from preschool to young adults) who use AAC Systems. Each Mom will give their "Top 5 Tips" from their unique, experienced based perspective on AAC.
sponsored by Forbes AAC, and OpenAAC