The Southern California Augmentative and Alternative Communication Network...
...is a support group for professional development, problem solving, leadership, mentoring, and training in the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to develop communication in non-speaking and minimally verbal individuals in the Southern California Region.
Follow this blog via email at the right.
Join our email list: socalaacnetwork@gmail.com Friend us on Facebook SoCal AAC
Foothill SELPA CAC Conference "No Limit to Success"
Saturday, April 28th 8-12 p.m.
A highlight from the program:
11:00-12:00, Session 10— Assistive Technology: What Is It and How Can It Help My Child with Communication and Curriculum Access?
Presented by Diana Neskovska (a SCAAC-Networker!)
Discussion regarding appropriate levels of support through assistive
technology, from low tech to high tech. New innovations in technology
that parents can provide to enhance their child’s interests, academics,
and communication skills will also be presented. More info at: http://www.foothillselpa.org/community-advisory-committee-cac/events-2
Register
for the topics that interest you most and relate to your professional
development needs. Intended for teachers, administrators, related
service providers and parents, our interactive Webinar platform will
provide background information, strategies for effective application of
Assistive Technology, and additional resources related to the topic.
Registration
is easy and quick. Use PayPal to register online with a credit card,
or download and print our registration form and submit it with a check
or agency purchase order.
The $40 registration fee per
Webinar includes one Certificate of Contact Hours. Additional
participants at a site can register for $5 and also receive Certificates
of Contact Hours.
Webinar Topics and Schedule
AT Strategies for Written Expression: Non- and Emergent-Writers
April 24, 2012 1:00 - 2:00
Gain an understanding of typical progression of writing development
Recognize students who will not follow typical progression
Explore low- to high-tech strategies to allow students to "write", such as eye-gaze, symbol supports, and specialized software
AT Strategies for Written Expression: Struggling Writers
April 24, 2012 2:30 - 3:30
Identify barriers to the writing process
Explore low-tech supports for writing
Explore software to support writing, including word prediction, talking word processors, and speech recognition
AT Strategies to Support Literacy: Non- and Emergent-Readers
May 22, 2012 1:00 - 2:00
Use of talking books and symbol or picture support to promote literacy
Resources for obtaining pre-made adaptive books or creating your own literacy projects to promote peer engagement
AT Strategies to Support Literacy: Struggling Readers
May 22, 2012 2:30 - 3:30
Identify barriers to effective use of text
Explore low-tech supports for reading
Understand Accessible Instructional Materials and alternate text formats
Facilitating Inclusion & Social Interaction through AT
June 19, 2012 2:30 - 3:30
Review AT tools used to promote active participation by students with severe/multiple disabilities
Recognize strategies for making activities age-appropriate and meaningful for all participants
Supporting Math Instruction and Participation through AT
July 24, 2012 2:30 - 3:30
Review resources for providing scaffolded support in math instruction
Learn modifications to math manipulatives
Become familiar with software to compensate for physical access issues
Executive Function: Improving Productivity & Organization through AT
August 28, 2012 1:00 - 2:00
Review low-tech to high-tech supports for memory, multi-step directions or organization
Become familiar with readily available or free resources for executive functioning
Digital Graphic Organizers: Embedded Supports for Presentation & Expression
August 28, 2012 2:30 - 3:30
Identify who could benefit from the use of graphic organizers
Present instructional materials with support for diverse learners through embedded supports
Identify strategies to help students develop more meaningful written expression
Announcing 3 Day Introductory and 5 Day Advanced Summer PODD Courses with Gayle Porter and Linda Burkhart
There
will be 3 PODD trainings in Baltimore, Maryland this summer with Gayle
Porter and Linda Burkhart. Enrollment is limited.
1. Three
day introductory PODD training. This one is for new people and is
similar to the two day PODD trainings, but in a little more
depth. (July 23 -25, 2012)
2. Five
day Advanced PODD training. This will only be open to people who have
already attended a 2 or 3 day PODD training in the past and have been
trying to implement PODD with children. (July 16-20, 2012)
3. As
part of the 5 day training, there will be a one day partner training,
mostly for local people in Maryland who just need to know how to
implement PODD, but don’t need to know how to customize and select PODD
books. (July 19)
Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display - PODD Communication Books (Official Five Day Advanced Course) Presented by Gayle Porter (Melbourne, Australia) and Linda BurkhartJuly 16-20, 2012 Linthicum, Maryland
Communication Partner Training for Using PODD Books (One Day Workshop) Presented by Gayle Porter (Melbourne, Australia) and Linda BurkhartJuly 19, 2012 Linthicum, Maryland
Well worth the watch! (or just the listen while you're folding laundry!) A great review of autism characteristics and a presentation ripe for staff development. - Gwendolyn
Joanne Cafiero (her website, HERE), formerly a high school science teacher is currently a special education AAC teacher. Joanne was Autism Projects Coordinator at Johns Hopkins Center for Technology in Education. She is a consulting editor and contributing author for peer-reviewed periodicals and major AT media and sits on the professional advisory board for the new national organization Autism Now and the adult autism advocacy group, AutCom. She is the author of the 1st book on autism and AAC, Meaningful Exchanges for People with Autism: An Introduction to AAC. Dr. Cafiero teaches and works with schools and families nationally and internationally.
Terry Kappe turned me on to online resources from Inman Innovations. On their website, you'll find the following Therapy Materials (under Resources, links are included below):
1) Learning WordPower & Picture WordPower Vocabulary Through Music
