This week, Chris interviews Rebecca, a guest who requested to keep her last name anonymous. Rebecca is an assistive technology professional who supports a K-12 school district and was interested in putting together some information for her school board asking to increase the number of assistive technology specialists in her district. She and Chris break down some arguments for increasing the quality of AT in the schools, as well as topics like providing direct service minutes vs. coaching, how to calculate the impact you are having on the entire student body (not just students with IEPs), working together with staff development professionals for trainings, and more!
Before the interview, Rachel and Chris have a lively discussion about a hypothetical classroom with one AAC user who has some sensory seeking behaviors. Rachel and Chris go through their thoughts about the case, including how to approach the teacher, how to support language while also keeping the kids and the staff safe, and providing alternative sensory experiences for the student that may help avoid some of the sensory seeking behaviors.
Key ideas this week:
🔑 One argument for increasing the number of AT/AAC Specialists - there is a lot of time spent selecting the tool, but not much follow through on how to implement that tool. if you need better AAC implementation across the district, you may need to have a dedicated person for coaching.
🔑 Another argument for increasing the number of AAC Specialists - look at the numbers over the previous few years regarding the number of AT and AAC requests you are getting. In many districts, the numbers are growing rapidly.
🔑 There is a huge overlap between accommodations and assistive technology on an IEP - it may make sense to approach the IEP by writing “accommodations reflect AT considerations” under AT considerations, then exploring AT with the team as part of the accommodations discussion.
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Colleen Warn - Improving Equity in AAC Evaluation and Implementation
Amy Fleischer & Corinne Nelson - Implementing a Specific Language System First Approach to AAC Selection - Part 2
Amy Fleischer & Corinne Nelson - Implementing a Specific Language System First Approach to AAC Selection - Part 1
Kim Albrecht: Learning to Model AAC as a Family
Mary Van Donsel & Anne Kuhlmeier: Creating a Successful AAC Camp
Coaching Call w/ Nikki Stempien (Part 2): AAC Coaching Strategies
Coaching Call w/ Nikki Stempien (Part 1): Increasing High-Tech AAC Buy In
Jennifer Edge Savage - Using AAC with Alexa & Other Voice Assistants
Alissa DeSousa: Using Video to Support Cortical Visual Impairment
Julia James - Improving Special Ed Online Instruction
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Lydia Dawley: AAC User, CEO, and Co-Creator of the NadPen Stylus
AAC After Work: Digital Storytelling to Foster Communication Partner Skills - Part 2
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TWT Live: Access to Education Conference - Part 2
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Talking with Tech Year in Review 2020
Coaching Call w/ Michaela Ball: Supporting a Severely Apraxic Emergent Communicator (Part 2)
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