Don't Want to Miss An Episode?
Sign up to get all new episodes sent straight to your inbox.
Get notified as soon as a new epidsode drops!
We won't send spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
Listen to the show
Ep #35#35 AAC for Beginners: Understanding the Basics of Using Augmentative Alternative Communication
I was so excited when our speech and language pathologist recommended to the IEP team for one of my students to get an AAC device.
Before it came, we started her on the low-tech version of LAMP- practicing new words with just a laminated copy. And then it came and it looked so daunting to me. I hadn't been trained on this program and I wasn't sure how to support my SLP in the use of it.
One of the hardest parts about using AAC devices with children, is knowing what to do with it once you have it
I've been told that one of the hardest parts about using alternative and augmentative communication or AAC devices with children, is knowing what to do with it once you have it. AAC devices are any device that allows a child to use language to communicate other than spoken speech, and it can be tricky to figure out how to incorporate it into a child’s everyday life, either at school or at home.
Today's guest on the Sped Prep Academy Podcast is Ann Hartshorne. Ann works in a Special School in the North Island of NZ and teaches a Junior classroom of students aged 6-8 years. She serves 7 Autistic students - none of them are speaking yet and all who have significant intellectual impairment.
Ann shares her knowledge on what AAC is, who determines if it is needed and when it should be used. She also helped me understand that a communication devices is not used as a last resort and does not interfere with a student in obtaining natural speech.
Listen in as Ann helps us understand the basics of using augmentative alternative communication within a resource or self-contained classroom.
Mentioned in the Show...
The Intentional IEP Summer PD Series. Click here to get the details.
Sped Prep Academy FREE Resource Library
Episode 27 with Stephanie DeLussey
There are lots of resources available to support the teaching of AAC. All the major app companies have free downloads and they have great resources that can be used with any system. Some fab places to start are:
http://www.project-core.com/communication-systems/
https://www.assistiveware.com/blog/assistiveware-core-word-classroom
https://www.aaclanguagelab.co.uk/
You can find Ann on all the platforms as Arohaspecialed
If you want to find out more about preference assessments you can access more reading here and more on beginning core words on the website...
Free adapted interactive book for core word ‘like’ from herTPT store
JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
The Sped Prep Academy Facebook Group
Connect with Jennifer on Instagram
ENJOYING THE PODCAST?
Tag me @spedprepacademy on Instagram and tell me what you are listening to!
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW
I don’t want you to miss a thing! Be the first to know when a new episode is available by subscribing in iTunes HERE!
If you would like to support The Sped Prep Academy® podcast, a review would mean so much. By leaving a review, you are helping fellow special educators find this podcast to receive the help and support they need. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Ratings and Reviews. Click “Write a Review” and share with me how this podcast is helping you grow as an educator!