This week, Rachel interviews Alma Partida (@aacforyouandme on Insta), Sarah Lee (@aac_together), Melissa Tapia (@hablame_de_language), and Maria De Leon (@code.switch.slp) about Bilingüe AAC (www.bilingueaac.com), a platform that supports evidence-based, culturally affirming Spanish AAC. They discuss many aspects of bilingualism and AAC, including core word considerations and strategies for family-based AAC assessment.
Before the interview, Chris and Rachel talk about the difference between “progress” and “success” when we are talking about an AAC user’s communication journey. For some, making progress with using AAC demonstrates success. However, if we are not making progress fast enough or are using a tool that doesn’t promote language development (e.g. a 4 icon core board) then we aren’t really working towards true success, which includes independent, spontaneous communication.
🔑 When assessing a bilingual student for AAC, take a family centered approach to assessment. Try and get an interpreter involved (if necessary) and talk to the family about how they communicate in the home. If we get a bilingual word inventory of the student and discuss vocabulary with the family, we can get a better picture of what words will be most useful for that student.
🔑 Generally, we don’t want to directly translate core word lists between two languages. Depending on the languages in question, the core words may be somewhat different (e.g. English and Spanish) or completely different (e.g. English and Chinese). In either case, shouldn’t assume that the core words are exactly the same.
🔑 When assessing a bilingual student, do a home language survey that includes the amount the family uses each language. In some cases, they may speak 90% english with only little bit of Spanish, or vice versa.
Links this week:
Diverse AAC YouTube channel
AAC App Crosswalk- table with different AAC app features, including languages offered
Soto and Cooper (2021): An early Spanish vocabulary for children who use AAC: Developmental and linguistic considerations.
AAC in the Cloud Presentation on diverse AAC implementation
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Kathryn Dorney: Using Core Words and Aided Language Input to Teach Preschool Children with ASD
ATIA 2020 - Part 2: Building AAC Capacity, Dynamic AAC Assessment, Breaking Through Implementation Barriers, and More
ATIA 2020 - Part 1: AAC in the Classroom, Visual Scene Displays, & More
Hannah Foley: Full-Time AAC User & Future AAC Specialist
Jane Odom: Takeaways from the Future of Ed Tech Conference
Matt Levac & David Reno - Partnering with Students to Make New Assistive Technology
Alyssa Hillary Zisk - Experiences of a Part-Time AAC User Researching and Writing About AAC
Interviews from ASHA 2019 - Part 4
XPN Holiday Episode 2019
Interviews from ASHA 2019 - Part 3
Interviews from ASHA 2019 - Part 2
Interviews from ASHA 2019 - Part 1
Nicole Bender - Moving Abroad to Support People with Complex Communication Needs
Small Talks III: Brian Whitmer, Brandi Lee Wentland, Kathy Howery, Shaun Pearson, & Kelly Key
Catherine Fredericks - Increasing AAC Buy-in with Parents and Teachers in the Schools
Amanda Scheriff - Practical Strategies Supporting Literacy & Language for AAC Users
Sarah Gregory - Promoting Authentic Inclusion & Social Belonging for AAC Users
Lisa Erwin-Davidson: Researching Core Language & AAC for Preschool Children
David Tobin: Using Audio-Based, Wordless Stories to Generate Language & Foster Creativity
Brandi Lee Wentland: Strategies for AAC Collaboration with Behavior Analysts, SLPs, & More
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