#atchat Hi everyone! Here from Hershey Pennsylvania...yes, it really does smell like chocolate in this town! Excited to get everyone's feedback tonight
Welcome! Tonight's #ATchat topic was inspired by a panel discussion at the Philadelphia @CECconvention where siblings shared the challenges of learning to support their brother/sister post-secondary. I became passionate about getting sibs/peers involved.
Emily Graniero. Paeaprofessional sin from CT . Check out the Achievement Through Technology conference on March 28th 209 held by #CTtechact. Great event with lots of great minds in AT #atchat
Welcome! Tonight's #ATchat topic was inspired by a panel discussion at the Philadelphia @CECconvention where siblings shared the challenges of learning to support their brother/sister post-secondary. I became passionate about getting sibs/peers involved.
Peer interactions are a priority. My role doesn’t extend to the home so I don’t get to involve siblings. I’m want to learn more so I can encourage my teams to think about it. #atchat
I have involved older siblings who also utilize AT to support their younger siblings as the children are the ones who know the devices and tech best! They all speak the "same language" #ATchat
Same here @GeriB321#ATchat
My differentiated supervision project is to develop a sibling training for AT this year focused on AAC, but hopefully build year to year with other AT tools
#ATchat I hope to learn from everyone so that I can work to develop a model with my colleagues at Derry Township School District, but I do have some resources to share, too!
I didn’t usually manage this in a school setting. I can think of one time when I saw twins. When I did early intervention in the home, siblings were often involved. #ATchat
Same here @GeriB321#ATchat
My differentiated supervision project is to develop a sibling training for AT this year focused on AAC, but hopefully build year to year with other AT tools
A2. Absolutely YES. Like with any language, Ss learn what they see and hear in their environment. I actually think a sibling has more influence on language development than just about anyone else. #atchat
I definitely think it is important. As I teach pre-service special educators, that would be something to consider discussing with them as they move out into the profession. #atchat
A2: I believe that it is important to involve siblings/peers in the process. When my son was learning to use his AAC device, his sister was also learning with him so that she could model communication with him #atchat
A2: when I am working in the classroom, I will often have students ask about the tools that the student is using, so we end up doing a mini lesson on the tool for the group so that all students can choose to use the tech #atchat
#ATchat Especially for those working with Ss who are Transition age--- how do you generalize the skills taught in school to the integrated settings of home, school, work, and community?
#ATchat I'll be interested to here what you have to say about Q4 then, which can include this "teachable moments" that build empathy and understanding.
A2: I love involving siblings where possible, and try to encourage peer use of AT. As a sibling of an AAC user myself, they are an essential life partner #ATchat
Good question. My students are currently doing a field placement at a Career Center with HS aged students. I will need to discuss this with some of the teachers at the school. Thanks for asking. #ATchat
It did! Also, when he pre AAC when he was learning sign language, she was learning it too. 12 years later we are all still signing to each other! #atchat
Hopefully. I did this my 1st year out of grad school & was told I could only bring students on IEPs to therapy sessions. I got around that by going to the classrooms with peers. #ATchat
#ATchat Agreed! Do you think if #UDL is embedded that it can be easier to engage peers at any age or are there grade bands where you see it "more" successful?
A2: I think it is important for all family members to be involved in supporting the implementation of AT. I find the students who have the most consistent home and teacher support are the ones who typically have the most success. Siblings can model the use of the tech.
#atchat
A2: I love involving siblings where possible, and try to encourage peer use of AT. As a sibling of an AAC user myself, they are an essential life partner #ATchat
yes including siblings and peers in implementation is important because it gives them a fuller understanding of some of the challenges that their siblings or friends might face so that they understand the why behind the use. #ATchat
In this case, I also think he likes to see someone his size try out an activity before he commits to trying it and then communicating about it. #ATchat
#ATchat Agreed! Do you think if #UDL is embedded that it can be easier to engage peers at any age or are there grade bands where you see it "more" successful?
There are always work arounds! I think about the Transition plan and how we are preparing our Ss for success post-secondary. It's never too early to start Transition planning! #ATchat
I only work up to Grade 6 but I do not find a limitation of this....if anything I find it more critical the older my students are. When peers are supportive or open to it, the rate of abandonment and resistance decreases. #ATchat
My relationship with my brother has really helped my brother continue his use of AT into adulthood. We are more interested in helping him get what he needs versus what we want him to want. The SLP who worked with him at the time had us come in and that was essential. #ATchat
#ATchat fabulous points! Especially as we consider that siblings may eventually become the decision maker for their sister or brother when parents can no longer serve in that role.
It is critical that parents and siblings understand that SGDs are critical for people who don’t have a “voice” to have functional communication. #ATchat
A3: siblings and peers should know that AT is meant to help others do what hery are able to do with little efforet. Its not specias treatment or priveledge #ATchat
A3: How to use it, why the user uses it, how peer/sibling can help. I also think sharing videos of other children using the same equipment can be helpful if there is a learning curve, such as AAC or something with switches. #ATchat
Curious: What about the operational functions of the tool- is this important for siblings/peer to know (e.g., how to turn it on, change batteries, etc)? #atchat
A3: I’ve seen this more with kids using AAC eye gaze devices, but remembering the person is communicating, not the computer. Go ahead & make eye contact- don’t stare at the screen & read. #ATchat
A3: if peers/siblings are involved in the process, they can help troubleshoot and also brainstorm on ways on how to use the tech for their school work #atchat
A4: I think you need to include them as much as possible. Allowing the families/teachers know you are available for that training, and then encouraging them to take advantage of it. #ATchat
A3 - soooo late to the #ATchat but I definitely love siblings help because they think of ways to encourage device use that I wouldn't have thought of...
Agreed! Often times I have students jumping at the chance to utilize the tech and work alongside the student who has it. Hence why UDL is so critical in districts and schools.... #ATchat
Lee Ridley (winner of Britain’s got talent) & the We Speak PODD family were mentioned as they are so public via YouTube. But Lateef McCloud, who uses AAC, ran a workshop for AAC mentors & mentees the last day of the conference. #ATchat
I've been SpEd, GenEd, now a tech trainer with a family member who receives a multitude of services due to his #SotosSyndrome so I've served MANY roles in #IEP meetings. #atchat
A5 Find ways they can use the AT, too, or discuss how it could help at home. My passion project this last year has been to take tools and find ways for everyone to benefit. (Too long for a tweet, but, if interested: https://t.co/e9XYK8UhgB) #atchat
A5: Is anyone familiar with Peer Assisted Learning? If so, how could this model be used to help integrate peers in support AT use? #atchathttps://t.co/4wsXvz0yQq
A5: Older siblings = cool and everything they do is cool, "older" AT Specialist = not sure if they are cool. I've used collaborative Google doc with cowriter... and communication devices with share feature to message with siblings. (verbally premium is one that does) #ATChat
I'm thinking about AAC and teaching siblings/peers about core vocab. Maybe some mini-lessons in each of these areas. btw, this is a lesson pics graphic and you can google it. #atchat
Got a few hours? ;) I posted a blog entry after a recent #IEPhttps://t.co/jTIiyHqch4 In summary, avoid jargon. Though I taught SpEd, that doesn't mean I know the new buzzwords. #SotosSyndrome is new to me. Provide resource suggestions. Listen. His new team is AWESOME! #atchat
#ATchat It's a totally different experience being on this side of the discussion. Seriously, take a chance- @KarenJan and @mmatp will mentor you through the whole thing and it's an amazing opportunity!
A5: for students that are hesitant about using technology, I try to encourage the teachers to give the tool as a suggestion for use for all when they are presenting the assignment ex: handwriting vs typing vs STT vs annotation program #atchat
A5: I have one sibling pair w/a 10 year old AAC user & a 1 year old younger brother. It’s been challenging to find things they both enjoy doing, but it’s highly motivating. #ATchat
Q6: #ATchat What resources could you recommend (books, videos, programs, activities, websites, social media groups, etc.) for engaging siblings/peers in AT support?
Great post - that is UDL! When we make the tools and choices available to everyone, we are creating a universally designed environment. #ATchat#MicrosoftEdu
A5 for Siblings, I would have my daughter help my son with homework when introducing a new tool because if she showed him a Google tool, he was more likely to use it vs. when mom showed him #atchat
So it is really sounding like siblings are an important support for AT implementation- but how can we turn this into something that is more often supported by teams? #atchat
Seems we need to use different approaches when thinking about sibling and peer supports. It's much easier to reach peers in a school setting. Sibling supports often require an after school or out of school setting. #ATChat
