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STRATEGIES FOR SLPS WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH AAC NEEDS IN THE SCHOOLS. SOME AAC MYTHS. Many times, we feel responsible for all elements of a student's life: language academics verbal/non-verbal speech pragmatics/behavior technology components to support all this!.
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STRATEGIES FOR SLPS WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH AAC NEEDS IN THE SCHOOLS
SOME AAC MYTHS • Many times, we feel responsible for all elements of a student's life: • language • academics • verbal/non-verbal speech • pragmatics/behavior • technology components to support all this!
MYTH #1THE AAC SPECIALIST/SLP IS THE SOLE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR AAC • We didn't go to Programming School! • We direct language - not necessarily implement it • Take yourself out of the day to day...
Support Team Future Growth of Skill SLP AAC Day to day team student Teacher Para Parent RSP OT
MYTH #2:EVERY TEAM HAS THE SAME ROLES • Each year is different as staff changes • Don't assume roles • Assess strengths and weaknesses of the team • Collective agreement on who is doing what
In order to be effective, a system must be • Simple - don't build in lots of extra work for team members • Easy to Modify - the world rapidly changes- makes sure your system is adaptable • Agreed upon by all members - we help build this system, but it needs to be a combined effort • Cover all areas of language needs • Language needs for today • Language growth for tomorrow
MYTH #3:ALL OF OUR TIME SHOULD BE SPENT IN DIRECT SERVICE TO OUR CLIENTS • With the world of AAC, there are many "behind the scenes" duties: • Coordination of the team • Creating a communication system (for the client AND the team) • Troubleshooting technology and determining best tech tools to use • TRAINING
THE POWER OF "THE CLOUD" • Use cloud based systems to keep everyone informed • Stop endless emails and attachments • Use what people are doing anyway - don't create extra steps • Use all available resources for things that you don't "have to do" • volunteers (create icons) • parents (upload photos/videos of life) • teacher (weekly curriculum/activities)
MYTH #4: AAC INTERVENTION TAKES PLACE IN OUR 60 MINUTE A WEEK TIME SLOT • Front load your time - beginning of the year we are in "set up" mode • Don't start your intervention until all pieces are in place • If you are time driven, make sure to build in the "extras" - or at least add monthly service time slots
MYTH #5:AAC INTERVENTION IS EXPECTED TO HAPPEN IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE • To empower your team, break down expectations • Pick a single element (journal time, circle time, structured language group) and start there • Let the AAC device use grow as members become more confident • Create a quick and easy way of recording and monitoring progress
MYTH #6:AAC DOESN'T CHANGE • Our technology world is evolving (how we communicate with others) - AAC is no different • AAC is not just DynaVoxes and Minspeak • Mobile technology has opened the world to our clients as to the possibilities and methods of communication • AAC is not just communication boards • Don't be selfish!
WHAT IS AAC? • Texting • Emailing • Skyping/FaceTime • Abbreviation/expansion for text • Photographs - videos • "Sharing" your work!
HOW TO MAKE SURE AAC IS HAPPENING • Choose non-content apps - customize on your own! • Use tools that you are expecting for future use in daily activities for different purposes (journal writing using an AAC device as a writing tool) • Simple things (take a picture or video and share it) are easy to implement and ACTUALLY HAPPEN! (K.I.S.S.) • Include the family as much as possible - AAC is not just for school!
IDEAS - APPS • Build and practice vocabulary • Flashcards - www.flashcardapps.info • Bitsboard app • Special Words app • Practice Syntax • Sentence Maker • Clicker apps - Connect/Sentences • Daily Journal - AAC app with emailing capabilities • Narrative Skills • Book Creation Apps • Pictello (Accessible - links to cloud) • Book Creator - cheaper - creates iBooks to share
THANK YOU! Gloria Soto - gsoto@sfsu.edu Michaela Sullivan - sullivan.martha@att.net Dan Phillips - dphillips@marinschools.org To download this workshop: http://trc.marinschools.org/TrainingPresentations.htm