The expert model doesn’t work for AT Service Delivery. Tonight we will talk about strategies to build capacity within our teams. Whether you are a consultant or employed by a school-we all have something to share! #ATchat
This will be an interesting topic for me since I'm an AT consultant and work from the expert model. Would love to work myself out of a job by building capacity in the districts where I work! #ATchat
The expert model doesn’t work for AT Service Delivery. Tonight we will talk about strategies to build capacity within our teams. Whether you are a consultant or employed by a school-we all have something to share! #ATchat
Emily Graniero from CT. Looking for some insight into the web accessibility process for a potential short term job opportunity. What skills do I need? #atchat#a11y
This of us in districts at district level would like to keep working ourselves out of a job too.. for most things, glad to say that's happening where I am! #Atchat#slowandsteady
A1: My organization used to have people come in from different districts and departments. I know due the majority of AT/AAC consults/evals in my building. It has been good to have someone in the building who has more opportunities to interact with the kiddos. #ATchat
A1: Part 2- However, I think there will always need to be someone who is willing to do the research and keep up. I typically don't see good things in AAC when a professional who does not have a languge background chooses the AAC form. #ATchat
A1: my class/team uses an integrated model with me as teacher as the axis point; the all-day every-day...then leads team in data analysis, decisions, etc. but not sure this is how it works beyond my walls. #ATchat
Great way to look at it. Is it possible to build capacity for meeting everyone's needs so experts are no longer needed? Or is that too idealistic? #ATchat
A1 not just for AT but for other training topics too, we often use a Train the Trainer model, targeting teacher leaders in schools who can then build capacity in their buildings. #atchat
I NEED YOUR HELP! I am preparing for an upcoming session on Building AT Capacity. Leave a @flipgrid video and tell us about your team: https://t.co/iyBVpoGPG8#ATchat
A1: my class/team uses an integrated model with me as teacher as the axis point; the all-day every-day...then leads team in data analysis, decisions, etc. but not sure this is how it works beyond my walls. #ATchat
I agree completely with this. People don't even know where to look to find this information without help. Everyone can't be an expert at everything. #ATchat
#Atchat I think there will always be cases here and there where you need a fresh lens from an expert when the team has run out of ideas. Always good to get a different perspective 👀
A1 part 2 We have also had great success this year in training the students as a class in how to use tools such as Read&Write for Google and Snap&Read and other GAFE tools. Then they are not dependent on the Ts knowing the tools! #atchat
As @MaegeK alluded to earlier, I think there will usually be a need to have someone who does the research & stays up to date in the rapidly evolving AT/AAC world. But many, many other tasks can be done by many, many others. #ATchat
@KarenJan I agree doing it in district or the building is much better when possible. There is stiill an expert model in my opinon, the expert is just closer. #ATchat
A2: our building has allowed us to design our own inservice learning plans, so we are able to form a group to dedicate time to AT research and implementation. This has helped in building inter-team capacity. #ATchat
A2: Lots of PD. I think it is important to combine longer overall PD with specific short PD for more complex implementation issues specific to a student. Also letting your teams know that you are looking for their feedback and being upfront throughout the consult/eval #ATchat
Does any of this PD include the IT department as well as the AT. Many AT tools only work well with good IT in place (like good internet connections or updated computers) #atchat
A2: our building has allowed us to design our own inservice learning plans, so we are able to form a group to dedicate time to AT research and implementation. This has helped in building inter-team capacity. #ATchat
A2: allowing people to opt in to the training they find relevant (with maybe some guidance) is useful, too. Not everyone needs to know switch placement; everyone should know at least basics on text-to-speech software options. #ATchat
thanks for the resources. Any ideas on who might know more. trying to do some research before I get a response back so I can make an educated decision #atchat
#atchat A2: Just as we meet our students where they are, and build skills from that starting point, we also have to meet school teams or parents where they are as well, and build capacity that point. Sometimes, that may mean we put our goals on hold...
A2A: Luckily I have a collaborative team model in other areas, so mostly it was about showing I had information in this area that was worthwhile to share. I think going in with your sources can be helpful. #ATchat
I agree! Trouble shooting glitches and other obstacles wouldn’t be tolerated. Ts don’t have time. And that leads to devices in closets. AT team members keep things rolling. #ATChat
I can't count how many times I have talked to professors/teachers who have all of the AT tools for the students to use text-to-speech but they did not know. Once I showed them they helped their students use it they were just not trained on it. #attech
That can sometimes be the biggest problem when it comes to building capacity. Sometimes, people are reluctant to learn more about AT/AAC and UDL. #ATchat
A2: For improving T's knowledge about high incidence AT tools some of our SLPs and OTs have started an informal after school monthly gathering to share info #ATchat
A2a: I found pitching a collaborative model by making an analogy to the RtI model to be helpful for administrators to understand- like the model @GeriB321 posted. Speaking their language is useful & then can push for training time. #ATchat
A3: Using tech to my advantage for collaboration... Google forms for AAC programming information (I get it all in one place this way); same with input about needs for high incidence needs #Atchat
@eyeonaxs can you give me some insight as to to what skills are needed to acess a website ir document for accessibility. Being recruited to do this and not sure if I am able See associated post for more details #atchat
A3: I talk to team members individually, and as a group during Clinical team/classroom meetings as appropraite. I try ideas they even if I'm not sure about them. #ATchat
A3: Using tech to my advantage for collaboration... Google forms for AAC programming information (I get it all in one place this way); same with input about needs for high incidence needs #Atchat
With implementation of universal tools other stakeholders saw value. Gen Ed groups are listening and learning. Building capacity on diff levels as some AT tools will become everyday tools for many. #ATChat
A4: as teacher/case mngr I am the axis point/moderator; my job to implement/ collect data across settings then bring it all together for the team, with RS spending time gathering observations/evidence, too #ATchat
That is the real trick isn't it? Understanding teams & team structure to find the most effective way to ensure my skills compliment other team members to achieve success #Atchat
That is the real trick isn't it? Understanding teams & team structure to find the most effective way to ensure my skills compliment other team members to achieve success #Atchat
A5: motivation, least dangerous assumption, presumption of competence, innovation-ready to 'think outside the box' (ps. I'm in low-incidence) Complex Instructional Needs realm #ATchat
I’ve worked in a situation where I wanted to be more collaborative whereas my coworker clung tight to the expert model. Although we typically agreed on the AT to be provided to the student, everything else was a struggle. #ATchat
I’ve worked in a situation where I wanted to be more collaborative whereas my coworker clung tight to the expert model. Although we typically agreed on the AT to be provided to the student, everything else was a struggle. #ATchat
Well, that’s part of why I started building capacity with AAC instead of more general AT- she had less say in that realm. Admin was persuaded mostly to my side & she eventually (we’re talking years) saw the benefits. #ATchat
Well, that’s part of why I started building capacity with AAC instead of more general AT- she had less say in that realm. Admin was persuaded mostly to my side & she eventually (we’re talking years) saw the benefits. #ATchat
A6:PD, fun events where staff use AT themselves, I've tried videos and pamphlets but the people I work with do better with things in person. We also do quarterly AAC parent group trainings to build family capacity-on top of time spent individually #ATchat
A6: I am so fortunate to work with an incredibly intrinsically motivated team that invests time in PD, staying current, and getting their hands "dirty"! Shout out to @KAStewart82 and @EricaRobertsSLP-- my partners in all things AT and maximizing S potential #ATchat
A6: I am so fortunate to work with an incredibly intrinsically motivated team that invests time in PD, staying current, and getting their hands "dirty"! Shout out to @KAStewart82 and @EricaRobertsSLP-- my partners in all things AT and maximizing S potential #ATchat
I get a new set of grad students to work with me & my AAC kids in clinic each semester. I can tell within the 1st session if I’m going to have to work more on attitude before addressing skills. #ATchat
