Welcome to tonight's #ATchat with guest @PrAACticalAAC! We are thrilled to have Carole join us once again and share her expertise and perspective on all things #AAC.
A quick intro: I'm an SLP by training & have been teaching #AAC grad classes since 1992, 1st at Purdue (Go Boilermakers!) & now at Nova Southeastern Univ in S. Florida. #ATChat
Thank you so much for adding your question to the Flipgrid. You were the only one brave enough to try it out. I just added a question myself. Wonder what stopped others? #ATchat
I also run an #autism grant that serves 5,000 families affected by autism in Broward County thanks to a wonderful collaboration w/ Univ of Miami @UMNSUCARD. In my spare time, I run the blog PrAACtical AAC. Looking forward to connecting w/ you tonight. #ATchat
Emily Graniero from Connecticut in search of a new part time or full time position as my last one didn’t work out. Current,y a Paraprofessional substitute #atchat
Hope to dialogue about AAC issues/trends with old friends/ familiar names, & make new #ATchat connections tonight. Would love to hear how AAC factors into your life.
Thank you to @cfrost_disteach who asked via the Flipgrid, "What are some unique ways to get teacher buy-in to using AAC devices across all school environments, including music, gym, etc? #ATchat
A1a: I love that Cassie asked for CREATIVE ideas. Can we crowdsource some? I have 2 suggestions to get us started. One involves using goals and the other involves recognizing what it takes for people to actually change their behavior #ATchat
Thank you to @cfrost_disteach who asked via the Flipgrid, "What are some unique ways to get teacher buy-in to using AAC devices across all school environments, including music, gym, etc? #ATchat
I’d like to share this link to 3D printable keyguards. You can click customize and make it for several diff apps and grid sizes. Printed a few yesterday! https://t.co/blZkt1XOKd#atchat
And we appreciate that! We want to do that again next week with @attipscast and wonder what is the preferred method for sharing questions ahead of time. #ATchat
A1b: One idea is to embed the supportive strategies (like ready access to AAC devices & strategies like aided language input) directly into the IEP goals. Some ppl like to do that in the Accommodations section. I also embed them into goals #ATchat
my suggestion on that first q is to make sure teachers have a chance to listen to actual aac users talk about what it feels like to have our device/picture cards/etc taken away or inaccessible
they need to understand the importance of having comm supports at all times
#ATChat
e.g., Given consistent aided language input, Student will… What I like about that is that it directly connects the supportive strategy to expectations for student performance. Very powerful! If we don't use the supportive strategies, we impede the student's progress. #ATchat
e.g., Given consistent aided language input, Student will… What I like about that is that it directly connects the supportive strategy to expectations for student performance. Very powerful! If we don't use the supportive strategies, we impede the student's progress. #ATchat
A1 I think it is critical for teachers to see that the device can be used without tons of special programing. Teachers get used to using it for reading/language arts/circle time and meals, but may not be considering how core words can be used everywhere. #atchat
One of my fav ways to get buy-in is to get people involved in message creation...e.g., phrases unique to an area, sports team, or demographic/regional lingo. Then offering a menu of options to Ss...people get a kick from hearing their 'catch phrases' by the AAC user #ATchat
#ATChat totally, caregivers give a ton of spoken language to speaking children to learn from but don't give aac users enough modeling to learn from!
like you said we need supports to meet our own goals for communication
It makes me so sad when I walk into a building and see the student's AAC device sitting on a shelf because they "are going out to recess", or "are going to PE" and we dont want it broken. #ATChat
This week was just rough with time for contributing but I agree about @Flipgrid . Found better engagement in my grad class when posting questions for discussion. #ATChat
In reply to
@cfrost_disteach, @KarenJan, @attipscast, @Flipgrid
A1 The other reason I like embedding strategies into goals is that it does double duty. There is NO WAY to do aided lang input unless the AAC system is within reach. So by pushing us all to use the strategy, we are creating an environment where the device is obligatory. #ATchat
At one of my schools, the team including teachers, speech and language pathologist, assistive technology support “cored” out the school with bulletin boards explaining core and signage/symbols throughout the school i.e. open/close in/out by door, etc. #ATchat
yes! #ATChat invest in waterproof and shockproof cases for us, this is as important as the rest of the technology
and if you really really have to take a device away like for the swimming pool, attempt to do so WITH OUR PERMISSION, & give laminated pictureboard alternative
It makes me so sad when I walk into a building and see the student's AAC device sitting on a shelf because they "are going out to recess", or "are going to PE" and we dont want it broken. #ATChat
Yesss! It's kind of a new way of thinking and it takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it, but teaching & eliciting those words across activities can become the new normal. #ATchat
At one of my schools, the team including teachers, speech and language pathologist, assistive technology support “cored” out the school with bulletin boards explaining core and signage/symbols throughout the school i.e. open/close in/out by door, etc. #ATchat
Yes! Ive also realized that quite a few people have not had an opportunity to see & interact with “fluent” AAC users- they may only have seen an early PECS stage to get a cookie. While AAC users may start that way, with support & access they can go much further! #ATchat
my suggestion on that first q is to make sure teachers have a chance to listen to actual aac users talk about what it feels like to have our device/picture cards/etc taken away or inaccessible
they need to understand the importance of having comm supports at all times
#ATChat
Consider doing a Routines-based Interview, to find out what the family feels is important to talk about at home and what they do on a regular ongoing basis. Then model and coach the parents in how to use the device in those situations. #atchat
yes! #ATChat invest in waterproof and shockproof cases for us, this is as important as the rest of the technology
and if you really really have to take a device away like for the swimming pool, attempt to do so WITH OUR PERMISSION, & give laminated pictureboard alternative
It makes me so sad when I walk into a building and see the student's AAC device sitting on a shelf because they "are going out to recess", or "are going to PE" and we dont want it broken. #ATChat
Those are great points! The permission piece is huge. Unfortunately in one case, a laminated alternative wont work because the student is an eye-gaze user and cannot access any other way. #ATChat
I really like that one, Alys. It reminds us that communication has a very personal element to it. Core words have a role, but they aren't everything. People want to talk about their passions & need the vocab to do that. #ATChat
#ATChat introduce young aac users and their families to experienced aac users who can be mentors!
it is important to see adult role models who use aac to understand it's a totally normal awesome way to communicate
I do use the videos I have linked on our symbaloo here, but also we try to get permission to film our S’s from out districts. We don’t always get YouTube permission but often can use in same district https://t.co/yB4qkZoUzo
We’ve had parents come in for an overview, then send SLP to home for visit for training and provide books/structure as to use in the home. Our SLP’s program the device for them as well. #ATChat
definitely! aac college classes and professional conferences need to prioritize paying aac users to present their perspectives so that people have more exposure to the range of our communication styles and content #ATChat
you should check out @AutismDogGirl's blog and i recently started one too at https://t.co/FMvvZeu7LP - you can use the categories on the right hand side to toggle to just the aac related posts #ATChat
my suggestion on that first q is to make sure teachers have a chance to listen to actual aac users talk about what it feels like to have our device/picture cards/etc taken away or inaccessible
they need to understand the importance of having comm supports at all times
#ATChat
Judith, that can be such a wonderful way to get staff to think about their options. We all benefit from reminders, and visual supports (on bulletin boards) are the best! #ATChat
ISAAC is the only AAC related conference I go to that always has AAC users as presenters, more than a single keynote, too. I leave that suggestion on every feedback form, though. #ATchat
A2: Such an important topic, Mary-Ann!! One thing that has always worked for me is to find out what the family's priorities are? What is something they REALLY value that AAC can help with? #ATChat
Plus it’s part of the whole school environment which then becomes universally embedded. Love it! We’re doing that with core words throughout school. #ATChat
In reply to
@JudithSchoonov1, @KarenJan, @PrAACticalAAC
very true, many people need access to eye gaze tech, it's a crucial support
in that situation i would work with the aac user to see if they have any ideas for how they might be able to indicate basic yes/no answers in a situation like swimming pool (contd) #ATchat
- for example, number of blinks to answer a question might be an option for some people - even limited alternatives like this give us more agency than just taking away the device and leaving us without a way to say anything at all :) #ATchat
A2: If I start w/ AAC that accomplishes something the family wants, they are 100% more interested in what we are doing & how they can help. It can be anything-from football cheers to prayers to talking to Grandma on the phone #ATchat
I think we might refer to these words at “key” words. These words are “key" to the student (or key to the situation, geography, or time of year). #Santa#MyPetsName#atchat Right, @SpeechDudes ?
I really like that one, Alys. It reminds us that communication has a very personal element to it. Core words have a role, but they aren't everything. People want to talk about their passions & need the vocab to do that. #ATChat
Agreed, Kevin! I have an AAC user in a kdg class. At first students laughed when she used her device, especially when she made mistakes. Once they had the opportunity 2 use device WITH her, they realized the effort it took AND they learned to communicate together #winwin#ATchat
I worked for many years with an AAC user that had a very consistent Y/N that we could use as a no tech back up. We would even spell/list with her and she would give us a Y response when we got to what she wanted. #atchat
Referencing an earlier post...what are family specific words/phrases that can be included to increase interaction? I can't help but think of The Goldberg here! #ATchat
In reply to
@PrAACticalAAC, @KarenJan, @MaryannFuduric
Has anyone else tried using an extra iPad with an AAC app in the classroom for peers to use with a student using AAC who is just beginning to engage with his device and others? We just prepared one today for a 4th grade class. #ATchat
How creative! I love that this gets us all focused on AAC, Beth! That opens avenues for conversations and helps build awareness and acceptance. #ATchat
Gen ed peers, teachers and principal all are learning how to model and interact with students. 3rd grade had a core word study as part if their gen ed curriculm and core word posters are in ALL classrooms #atchat
In reply to
@KarenJan, @PrAACticalAAC, @JudithSchoonov1
I do encourage multiple devices for class. Usually other s’s want to use devices too in school setting. And it becomes good reinforcement, modeling, and social conversation #atchat
Cathy, I haven't been in classrooms where there was a dedicated SGD for speaking peers, but several where the peers all had individual paper-based AAC tools. They loved it! #ATchat
I agree Kevin. I placed another device in a users K class. I’ve witnessed reduced stigma of using the device and our AAC user is showing friends how to spell their name, find words, explore language. #ATChat
In reply to
@JudithSchoonov1, @KevinPitt147, @attipscast
I haven’t tried that (yet) but I have given out core boards to everyone as we were waiting for device funding to go through. Lori Binko has a presentation where she talks about that with her preschool classroom, too. It was successful in both cases. #ATchat
oh, i forgot to say re: making sure kids have access to comm supports in all parts of the school day - this includes kids who use sign language interpreters for aac!
we shouldn't have to go to gym or music or lunch or recess w no interpreter #ATChat
I think both. Core = high frequency words across people and places; Key = important & poss high frequency words for a specific individual or a context. #ATchat
In reply to
@KarenJan, @attipscast, @SpeechDudes, @hillarygfphdatp
Great early literacy experience too. Correct spelling results in icon and auditory feedback & a fun cooperative activity. For our LAMP users, teachers are encouraged to show PASS software on interactive whiteboard. #ATchat
In reply to
@hillarygfphdatp, @KevinPitt147, @attipscast
Presume competence it’s really hard to show what you know when you can’t actually communicate it, more professionals need to know about the mind body disconnect autistics have, Lyon need to provide plenty of options and let us have fun
Presume competence it’s really hard to show what you know when you can’t actually communicate it, more professionals need to know about the mind body disconnect autistics have, Lyon need to provide plenty of options and let us have fun
that's poss, but keep in mind what looks like distraction to you might actually be helping them understand better
some autistic kids look at devices to filter out extraneous sensory input, other kids may be exploring their aac to look for the words being used in class #ATChat
Oh also it’s really important to keep AAC gear up to date and in proper protective gear, and we want and need accesss everywhere you can speak (and more)
All devices need to be accessible at all times, not being so is really not ok, if the concern is damage then the school needs to invest in a proper case #ATchat
In reply to
@cfrost_disteach, @KarenJan, @PrAACticalAAC
Yes- having fun with communication in therapy & school generally is super important. Without any motivation to communicate it’s less likely to happen, especially if it’s challenging. #ATchat
Karen, one trend is that more AAC devices/apps help us with data collection so that we can analyze the language to see how to improve instruction. #ATchat
This has been a really effective strategy for my students. I find that the AAC users attend to peer models more than adult models and we are using AAC as part of UDL #atchat
One thing I find tricky about the data collection aspect, though, is that if you are doing aided language input with the same device, it skews the data. #atchat How do you account for this?
Fun! Have seen people get caught up in compliance for tasks and forget purpose is communication! Random comment today from 7 year old SGD student was “iphone star” -wanted to hear Twinkle Twinkle -so she did😀#ATchat
In reply to
@VickiBostonSLP, @AutismDogGirl, @KarenJan
What are your thoughts about privacy and data collection on AAC devices? Do you see teams talking about the ethics and responsibilities of turning the data tracking on and what happens to that data? #atchat
are you allowed to toggle between user profiles to keep the data separate, or is that too buried in settings to be worth using in the average conversation? #ATChat
What are your thoughts about privacy and data collection on AAC devices? Do you see teams talking about the ethics and responsibilities of turning the data tracking on and what happens to that data? #atchat
Alys, it is a real issue. I think eventually the tech will advance to a point where we can differentiate b/w the primary user and others but for now it is a challenge. #ATchat
great question, i DON'T see this being talked about and it is important. always, always ask the aac user before invading their privacy like that #ATchat
What are your thoughts about privacy and data collection on AAC devices? Do you see teams talking about the ethics and responsibilities of turning the data tracking on and what happens to that data? #atchat
We have students/peers utilize the SGD to communicate with the student using the device. If a student used sign language we would learn it and use it....I don’t see how this is any different. It’s all about shifting mindsets. #atchat
Jessica, I am SO glad that you brought this up! We include a module on Ethics in AAC in our AAC classes and this is a topic that we've added in recently. We have to get informed consent & assent. #ATchat
Students are more willing to try new things or go outside of what they know. I call my students the “techsperts” and take any opportunity that presents itself to allow for them to lead and teach. It helps with accountability and builds confidence all at the same time #atchat
In reply to
@cfrost_disteach, @SGregorySLP, @KevinPitt147
For others we use realize language or google forms data sheets to help track but it’s far from accurate or easy to get a full picture so I try to video clips as much as I can #ATChat
In reply to
@alysstets, @PrAACticalAAC, @KarenJan, @CoughDropAAC
It's really an important practice that we should all be adopting. I have also given kids a prestored message that says 'Turn off data recording now.' They need to be able to refuse. #ATchat
In reply to
@helpotherstalk, @KarenJan, @jconradslp
That's excellent! I'd like to see some examples of written language, if anyone has some they could share. We encourage teams to have the conversation, but this is new territory for many. I think they see easy data and not what it means when we are okay with "bugging" Ss. #ATChat
Jessica, I am SO glad that you brought this up! We include a module on Ethics in AAC in our AAC classes and this is a topic that we've added in recently. We have to get informed consent & assent. #ATchat
I’ve even gone as far as to set up a macro on most devices that turns it on and off with one button so that I can take activity-based data but that it’s not big brother monitoring them 24/7 #atchat
In reply to
@PrAACticalAAC, @helpotherstalk, @KarenJan, @jconradslp
Good point! We talk about it, many of my students are emergent learners who probably don’t understand the concept-but we review the data sheets so they can develop connection between the word clouds and their talker words #ATchat
Things I would still love to see addressed in AAC: more voice options for reasonable $, more tone of voice options, ways to code shift & use dialects. (I know I’m asking a lot, but we can dream!) #atchat
i mean, i always lean towards "presume competence". if they're not giving any answer at all, assume they're capable of doing so but haven't been given the supports necessary. if they're giving an answer, honor it. #ATchat
That's a great idea, Elisa! Have you shared that anywhere? I think more people would be interested in knowing how to do that. Like any powerful tool,, data logging has to be treated with respect and, in this case, an abundance of caution. #ATchat
In reply to
@wernedat, @helpotherstalk, @KarenJan, @jconradslp
you can look into models for supported decision-making to learn about ways of ensuring people have the information necessary to make choices for themselves #ATchat
This can not be retweeted enough. Compliance is rarely (ever?) fun. It is on us, the educators, to design experiences that are fun, engaging, & motivating! #ATChat
yes! we need voices for people of all ages and genders (including trans-coded voices) and accents that reflect family/cultural backgrounds, also aac that can support aave #ATchat
Things I would still love to see addressed in AAC: more voice options for reasonable $, more tone of voice options, ways to code shift & use dialects. (I know I’m asking a lot, but we can dream!) #atchat
It’s really important To respect an AAC users autonomy and let them use their device freely, please never take away a device or shut off features, we need to stim and play with our devices #ATchat
Vicki, I don;t think this is too far off. I've been thinking a lot lately about voice & identity, particularly with adolescents who are just getting to know themselves. #ATchat
Honestly compliance training should be removed from speech therapy period! Communication isn’t about compliance, it should be about helping the person say what they want or need to say even if you don’t like it #ATchat
In reply to
@helpotherstalk, @VickiBostonSLP, @KarenJan
So glad you brought that up! It can help in the individual situation/context, but also teaches people how to get better and better at self-advocacy. #winwin#ATchat
yes that would be fun! i actually co-mod autchat so i have a little experience.
for that we set up questions in advance so that all participants have a chance to think about what they might want to bring to the conversation if they want, focused on rotating topics. #ATchat
Yes, I always do ask, but voice as identity within AAC is a tricky question, particularly in places with multiple AAC users, & we really need more individual & culturally relevant voices. #ATchat
Educators... are you listening to your students? Compliance is NOT the goal. Meaningful, personal, flexible, accessible, and FUN experiences are! #udl#atchat#aac#SLP
Honestly compliance training should be removed from speech therapy period! Communication isn’t about compliance, it should be about helping the person say what they want or need to say even if you don’t like it #ATchat
In reply to
@helpotherstalk, @VickiBostonSLP, @KarenJan
Sometimes I wonder about this for ALL students for all academics/learning. What if I don't want you to measure my progress? When does a person get the right to say "it's okay/not okay for you to measure (this aspect of) me." #assessment#ATChat
