This week, we share a coaching call between Chris, Rachel, and our amazing Audio Engineer & SLP grad student, Michael Ball! Michaela asks the TWT team about a severely apraxic student she is working with who is a multi-modal communicator. With limited therapy time with this student, should Michaela focus more of her time on implementing a device, using sign language, or promoting verbal speech? How can she promote AAC best during the school day?
Before the interview, Rachel shares with Chris about a another apraxic student she recently consulted with. Rachel talks about her approach to the difficult conversations that occur when a family is wary of AAC and holding out hope for verbal speech without AAC. Chris poses the option of bringing in more experienced families of AAC users to talk with the new client's family about the benefits of AAC. Chris also brings up the argument that AAC can often be the “lest dangerous option”, especially when compared to doing nothing differently.
Key ideas this week:
🔑 When someone communicates in several different modalities, and we have to prioritize which modality to support, one good question to consider is “what modality will be most understood by unfamiliar listeners down the road?”
🔑 When we are choosing what word to target first when working with an AAC user, it can be helpful to choose a word that is both really motivating to them in particular and one that he or she will use in many different contexts.
🔑 When choosing between an iPad mini or a full-sized iPad for AAC, it is important to consider the extra “real estate” that the full-sized iPad screen can give. More space often means for more symbols! It can also mean more space between the symbols, which can help students with fine motor challenges.
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Yoosun Chung: Honoring an AAC User's Chosen Form of Communication
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Tiffany Joseph (Part 2): The Use of Gestalts in Acquiring Language as a Part-Time AAC User
Tiffany Joseph (Part 1): Educating and Supporting AAC Users as a Part-Time AAC User
Bob Sagoo: Empowering an AAC User as a Parent
Beth Moulam & Joanna Holmes: Recognizing AAC Users as Multimodal Communicators
Daniel O'Connor & Bradley Heaven: Creators of All Access Life, an Adaptive Product Nonprofit
Breea Rosas: Neurodivergent Affirming Practices for School-Based Practitioners
Kelley Coleman - Pushing Back Against an Incorrect AAC Evaluation
Heidi Rabe - Supporting Switch Use for Clients with Complex Physical Needs
Caitlin Armstrong: Writing a Persuasive AAC Initiative Proposal for School District Admins
Rachel Madel & Chris Bugaj: ATIA Recap 2024 (Part 2)
Rachel Madel & Chris Bugaj: ATIA 2024 Recap (Part 1)
Mercy Wolverton: Solving Real-World Problems with 3D Printers
Aaron Marsters: Supporting Assistive Technology for Students on US Military Bases Across Europe
Talking With Tech's 300th Episode/1 Million Downloads Celebration
Meredith Hankins, Morgan Payne, & Susan Lee - Creating a ”Girl Talk” AAC Social Group
Kimberly Zajac: Creating Fun & Interactive Projects That Meet Learning Objectives & IEP Goals
Emma Fischer - Preparing for a New Career in Assistive Technology
Otto Lana: Autistic Advocate, Writer, Actor, and AAC User
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