This week, we share Part 2 of Rachel’s interview with SLP and host of the SLP Happy Hour podcast, Sarah Lockhart! They continue their discussion of Sarah’s clients, including a nonverbal client who uses lots of scripts to communicate. Rachel shares ideas for how to choose targets for therapy, why we should be modeling language that is important to the AAC user, and how motivating materials during AAC assessment can help get a better picture of his or her true ability.
Before the interview, Chris and Rachel finish answering the question from last week about a student with a complex medical history that includes cortical visual impairment (CVI). Chris and Rachel discuss ideas for using books and TV shows the student loves to make therapy more fun, including watching YouTube and eliciting language from the video. They also talk about what to look at when the student isn’t making progress, including whether or not the activity they are doing is fun.
Key ideas this week:
🔑 When modeling, are you showing them language they might want to use? For example, it may be better to model “I don’t want to wake up” for a teenager than “Good Morning Mom”. Both are important, but, in this case, a modeled protest may be used spontaneously more readily than a greeting.
🔑 The most valid assessment is one in which the AAC user is motivated to engage - if we are assessing but forcing the student to label something uninteresting, they may not demonstrate their true skills.
🔑 How can we figure out where to start teaching language? One idea is to look at how AAC users are communicating nonverbally. If a child is already demonstrating non-verbal communication, it is an easy transition to giving them language to use instead of that gesture or action.
🔑 What are other ideas for choosing targets? Ask the communication partners - what does the student do all the time when no one is around? It can give us insight into what they are motivated by, such as sensory seeking behavior or refusal, which can then give you insight into targets and activities.
Links from this week’s episode:
Talking with Tech Episodes related to CVI: https://www.talkingwithtech.org/search?q=CVI
For resources related to coding, go to Code.org
Kevin Williams & Lateef McLeod: Black AAC User Perspectives on Racism and Disability
Erik Raj: Apps That Make Learning Language Fun
Chris Ellis: Improving Hearing With the Audio Cardio App
Gemma White: Fostering a Growth Mindset With Core Words
Cara Walton: Action Planning for Anti-Racism and AAC
Brittyn Coleman: How Nutrition Can Affect People with Autism
Brittani Rollen: Author of “Lucas the Lion Loves the Tiny Talker”
Carson Covey: AAC User and Future SLP
Tara Wineinger: Hosting a "Virtual 5k" to Support an AAC Nonprofit
Caitlin Calder: True Confessions of a Parent of an AAC User - Part 2
Teaching with Tech: Double Time Docs
Caitlin Calder: True Confessions of a Parent of an AAC User - Part 1
Teaching with Tech: Smarty Symbols
Mike Hipple, Tami Altschuler, and Sarah Blackstone: USSAAC's Role in Policy Making & Disaster Relief
AAC in the Cloud: AAC & Telepractice
Caroline Musselwhite: Coaching Communication Partners Using Telepractice
An Hour-By-Hour Guide To Implementing AAC At Home
Elena Dukhovny: Current Research on Motor Planning & Paraeducator AAC Coaching
Teaching with Tech - Speech Blubs Speech Therapy App
Christine Tripoli & Ellen Mazel - Assessment & Treatment of Cortical Visual Impairment
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