Re-Post: AAC & the Pace of Change

Officially entitled:

"Avoiding Insanity: AAC & the Pace of Change"

More fantastic reporting from PrAACtical AAC (read it on the blog HERE)

Just before the dawn of the fourth touchscreen iDevice from Apple, I hope you, like me, enjoy this walk through a history of AAC - from the 1940's to today.

"...AAC users growing up in the forties and fifties tell of communicating through grunts, vocalizations, “air writing,” and eye movements, which, though effective in some contexts, were maddening in their limitations...the service delivery profile for individuals with severe communication disabilities improved little until the mid-late 1970’s...1975, P.L. 94-142 mandated change in the educational system...1981, ASHA  developed a position paper on AAC services...

...Earlier this year, many of us read a white paper developed through the joint effort of an AT/AAC company and two university professors, which shared findings of a questionnaire circulated online to AAC stakeholders. A summary of their results included these findings:

Less than 10% of adult AAC users report receiving professional support to effectively implement AAC...Close to 20% of the professionals consider the practitioner charged with supporting the person with AAC needs as being not knowledgeable or  only slightly knowledgeable about AAC..."

PrAACtical AAC's Carole Zangari poses the following:

"What can we do differently to accelerate the pace of change in AAC?
Ideas, please. Big ones, small ones. Logical thoughts and off-the-wall sparks. Ideas for researchers, practitioners, administrators, clinical educators, bloggers, presenters. Share your thoughts. We’re listening."

Contact PrAACtical AAC via their blog, HERE.  

iPad Mini Lauch Rumor

The iPad Mini (on the right), Apple's upcoming 7.85-inch tablet, may live up to the rumors and be officially launched/announced on October 23rd, along with other new products. What a potential boon for AAC users!

Just in time for holiday pre-ordering?!? Stay tuned...

Minspeak E-Newsletter, Issue 59

	Send to Friend October 15, 2012

Pixon Teaching Tip: Pixons can be used as teaching materials for picturing the metaphors behind Unity® icon sequences. The word for this week is “look”. Compare the Pixon to the icon sequence . Teach the meaning of the word “look” by having the person request to “look” at hidden objects, pages in a book, etc. Intervention Planning: Thank you to Christina Dal Santo, Annette O’Connor, and Malia Vigil for the Intervention Plan for teaching the core verb “look”. Use it with an animated PowerPoint show they developed called LOOK! and a PDF book called At The Park. Teaching Materials Exchange: Read Apple Picking by Debbie Witkowski to practice both asking questions and giving answers-plus a recipe for making apple crisp. Yum! The book is coded with Pixons and icon sequences from Unity®45, Unity®60, Unity®84, and Unity®144. Unity® Teaching App: Have parents, teachers, and therapists practice the patterns of Unity® using a new app from TapSpeak called Practicing Unity® Patterns. PUP is available through iTunes for $29.99. Pittsburgh AAC Language Seminar Series: Register TODAY for an upcoming seminar series. Registration is FULL for the September and October presentations. Go to the Minspeak website for more information and to register for an upcoming series.

Lingraphica: Medicare, SGDs and Therapy Caps

Do your own research, but Lingraphica wants to helped understand Medicare a little better! Here are some excerpts from a recent post of theirs. (link follows)

"Recently, we’ve been getting calls from SLPs and patients with questions about Medicare therapy caps and how they might affect reimbursement for speech-generating devices (SGDs). The short answer is that they don’t—SGDs are durable medical equipment and Medicare reimburses that separately from therapy services...

For 2012, the therapy caps are $1,880 per beneficiary for Speech Therapy and/or Physical Therapy and $1,880 for Occupational Therapy, for a total cap of $3,760 per beneficiary. These figures include deductibles and co-payments made by beneficiaries, as well...[caps apply to services delivered in an outpatient setting, via private practice, hospital outpatient departments and in rehab facilities]...

Medicare is allowing providers to follow an exceptions process...if a beneficiary reaches the cap..."

Read more from Lingraphica CLICK HERE

12 Classroom Essentials for Autism (L. Hodgdon)

(Read the original post on Linda Hodgdon's blog HERE)
 Students with autism can achieve great success in environments that help them succeed. How does that work? Settings that are “autism communication friendly” provide a variety of little things that result in big positive changes in student participation.
 
Of course, there will be variations, depending on age and skill level of students. Classrooms will have differences. But these essentials are essential. We have learned so much about what students on the autism spectrum need to be successful.
One thing that we know is that the majority of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (and lots of other students, too) are visual learners. You’ll see lots of visual tools on my essentials list.
The problem is that we don’t always use what we know. That’s human nature. So here’s my challenge and here’s my list.

(1) Camera
This can be one of your most powerful communication tools. They are so common now. You probably have a camera on your phone that you carry in your pocket. Teachers can take pictures or you can teach students to use the cameras on their own phones.
Take pictures of everything. Use them in the phone or print the pictures as needed. Use your photos for conversation starters, demonstration tools or reminders to help students remember what to bring to school tomorrow.
(2) Calendar
Posted on a wall, written in a notebook or accessed on a smart phone, the calendar is an essential tool for helping students orient to their flow of life. Calendars can focus on group information at school. But many students need a personal calendar for school info or one that also includes home and family information. Does that mean one for a classroom and one for personal needs? Possibly yes.
(3) Schedule
The daily schedule has finally become one of the most used visual tools. That’s because they work really well to help students follow their daily routines. Everyone benefits from knowing what is going to be happening today.
(4) Predictable routine
Predictable does not mean rigid. Students will follow routines, demonstrate less stress and exhibit better behavior when they know what to expect. Cameras, calendars and schedules are some of the really useful tools to help students understand when something expected is changing or when something new is going to occur. Rigid means nothing changes. Predictable means giving enough information so they know what to expect.
(5) Quiet spot (not punishment)
Sometimes things get too fast, too noisy or just plain too much. There can be many causes. Those are the times when some of our students start “bouncing off the walls,” “melting down,” or showing us in many ways that things are not going well. This is when adults naturally start talking too much to try to calm things down. Instead, a goal is to teach students to use a “quiet spot” which is a designated location that will help them regroup. Use something visual to help get them there. That quiet spot can have a special name and may be equipped with some items that promote relaxation. This should not be used for punishment. It’s an opportunity for calming.
(6) Visual tools
Pictures, objects, written language and anything else VISUAL is used to support communication. The calendar and schedule are just two visual tools. A supportive environment will provide a variety of other visual supports to assist students in multiple ways for successful participation.
(7) Note pad & pencil
No matter how much pre-planning you do, stuff happens. The temptation during those times is to try to talk it through. The problem with that strategy is that it often doesn’t work. Especially when students are confused, upset or when they don’t understand, that pencil & paper can become a lifesaver.
(8) Proper work environments
Individual students may have specific needs. Think about sensory needs related to things such as sound, sight, or touch. Size or shape of furniture, location of activities, or actions of other students can be significant. What distractions or disturbances can affect a student’s success?

(9) Organized work spaces
Label the environment so students know where to go, what to do and where things belong. Make sure work places contain the correct materials or that students know appropriate procedures to solve problems in work settings.
(10) Rules
What are the rules? Everyone needs to know. Too many is not good. Some are location specific. Identify the important ones. Post them. Review them.

(11) Timer
Time management is difficult for lots of students. Transitions can be challenging. When do you need to stop? When do you prepare for change? How long is this activity going to go on and on? Timers help. There are many kinds. Visual timers like the Time Tracker or the Time Timer, kitchen timers, phones or watches with a timer function or timers on an iPad or computer are all great options.




(12) Effective communication partners
Staff who are committed to using multiple forms of communication help students achieve success. SHOWING instead of TELLING makes a huge difference for student success.

A word of caution - It’s easy to eliminate things from this list of essentials with the excuse that students are too high or low functioning or too young or too old. Another complaint is that something on the list is not “appropriate” for some reason. Sometimes strategies are declared unnecessary because the communication partners don’t feel like doing them.
Just know that all these essentials work really well for student success.

P.S. Do you have some more “must haves” or other comments? Please comment and share your ideas. (CLICK HERE for a link to Linda Hodgdon's blog)

FREE October Trainings from PRC in SoCal

Attend the PRC Workshop that Best Meets Your Needs (Torrance & Santa Ana)

Product training seminars will help you get the most from your PRC communication device.  If you have already created your personal PRC account, simply click here to login.

Overview of Implementation Strategies for AAC  Date:  October 24, 2012 Time:  9:30am - 12:30pm Facility:  Pediatric Therapy Network PTN Location:  Torrance, CA Attend This Training  October 25, 2012 Time:  9:00am - 12:00pm Facility:  Assistive Technology Exchange Location:  Santa Ana, CA Attend This Training   This condensed presentation focuses on strategies to teach and promote the use of an augmentative communication system to get students to independently initiate spontaneous, novel utterances rather than simply repeating pre-stored sentences when prompted. The strategies presented will cover a range of communication ages and abilities, including those at the level of emerging language and literacy. The teaching strategies presented are appropriate for a wide variety of devices and programs. This presentation is appropriate for anyone (teacher, SLP, parent, paraprofessional, etc.) working with a student using a communication device. Devices for this training are not required. If you choose to bring a device or laptop computer, please bring a Vantage, Vantage Lite, Vanguard, ECO, SpringBoard Lite, SpringBoard Lite, Accent 1200, or laptop computer pre-loaded with PASS Software. All software versions are welcome.   This program is offered for 0.3 CEUs (Introductory level, Professional area).

PRC PASS Software:  Tools for Teaching Unity  Date:  October 25, 2012 Time:  12:30pm - 3:30pm Facility:  Assistive Technology Exchange Center Location:  Santa Ana, CA Attend This Training This hands on seminar will provide participants with experience using PASS (Prentke Romich Application Support Software) to create, edit and share implementation materials designed to support an augmentative communication device user who is learning Unity. Practical use of 'write with icons' and the manual board creator will be offered. The vocabulary builder tool is explored, as are the features and tools for searching, viewing, and working with icons and icon sequences. Teaching strategies and implementation ideas will be shared and discussed throughout the session. While the Unity language will be briefly reviewed during this training, a basic familiarity with Unity is assumed for the participant. Devices for this training are not required. If you choose to bring a device, please bring an ECO, SpringBoard, SpringBoard Lite, Vanguard, Vantage, Vantage Lite, Accent 1200, or laptop computer pre-loaded with the appropriate PASS software. All software versions are welcome. This program is offered for 0.3 CEUs (Introductory level, Professional area).

Julie Dunbar, M.S., Ed. Email:  jad.cons@prentrom.com Phone:  (800) 262-1984 Ext. 445 Website:  prentrom.com

Focus on AT for Communication - Autism Society, Inland Empire

Special Events - Fall 2012

Focus on Assistive Technology and Communication

Last year we put on our first Technology Workshop, and heard from many educators, professionals and families about the need for more information and resources.  This year, we decided to focus on communication and assistive technology - specifically for those individuals who have little or no language.  Thanks to a grant that we have received from the California Communication Access Foundation, the Autism Society Inland Empire is partnering with local organizations to: (1) determine a baseline of knowledge and access to different types of Augmentative and Alternative Communication here in the Inland Empire; (2) provide three educational opportunities on communication and technology; and (3) give away 10 iPads complete with Proloquo to give access to communication to individuals with special needs of lower socioeconomic status.   If you have any questions about any of these projects, please let us know.  In the meantime, we would appreciate you distributing this information to your colleagues.  Thank you for your assistance in helping our families in the Inland Empire! Beth Burt Autism Society Inland Empire

Please Take 5 Min for a Survey on AAC

As technology continues to improve, we thought it would be important to gather a baseline data of knowledge and access to different types of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and techniques related specifically to communication and the special needs community here in the Inland Empire. We hope you could take 5 minutes and fill out our survey.  AAC Survey for Professionals  AAC Survey for Parents & Individuals with Special Needs AAC Survey Parents - Spanish

Free Workshop  -  Movie Wretches and Jabberers.    Mon, Oct 15th 6-8pm in Murrieta   Tues, Nov 6th 6-8 pm in San Bernardino

Official Wretches & Jabberers Trailer (Captioned) Murrieta - We are partnering again with Murrieta Valley USD and MVUSD SEPAC to bring you a free screening of the incredible movie - Wretches and Jabberers.  Two men with autism embark on a global quest to change prevailing attitudes about disability and intelligence. With limited speech, Tracy Thresher, 42, and Larry Bissonnette, 52, both faced lives of mute isolation in mental institutions or adult disability centers. When they learned as adults to communicate by typing, their lives changed dramatically. This movie will make you laugh, cry and examine your attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.  Special guest - Sydney Edmond.  A local young woman who uses AAC to communicate.  Come ask your questions about AAC!  Click here to RSVP  San Bernadino - This movie will be screened in conjunction with Inland Regional Center Mom's Supporting Moms Group. Click here to RSVP.

iPad Giveaway

We will be giving away 10 iPads fully loaded with Proloquo, insurance and a case to 10 people in the Inland Empire with limited verbal ability. A committee will determine winners based on family income, ability to attend trainings, and answers to short essay questions. Applications will be distributed starting Mon, Oct 15th at the Wretches and Jabberers showing and online starting Tues, Oct 16th.  Applications will be accepted until Fri, Nov 16th at midnight.  Winners will be announced at the Dec 1st Conference.  Click here to access online application.

Conference - Improving Communication Using AAC for Individuals with Special Needs Sat, Dec 1st, University of Redlands

Click for full size version of flyer Nationally known speakers - experts in this field in the Inland Empire! Come be inspired by the stars of the movie "Wretches and Jabberers" - Tracy Thresher, Larry Bissonnette, Harvey Lavoy and Pascal Chang.    Erna Blanche, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA. Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and an expert in pediatric occupational therapy and interventions based on occupational science will discuss how sensory and motor planning issues can effect communication. Darlene Hanson, MA, CCC. National speaker and Director of Communication Services at WAPADH, a non-profit, Non-Public Agency in California. Darlene has been a Speech and Language Pathologist for over 25 years, working with individuals with severe communication impairments. Her expertise is in working with individuals who are "non verbal" and use of alternate modes of communication, as well as in the area of speech development for persons with severe motor apraxia as it relates to autism.   Mark Woodsmall, Esquire. Mark is the founder of Woodsmall Law Group, PC a law firm based in the San Gabriel Valley area. He is a national speaker, and an Adjunct Professors at the USC Gould School of Law, teaching in the of special education law. Space is limited - registrations will not be accepted at the door.  You must RSVP and pay by Nov 15th!  Cost is $40 which includes lunch.  A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial hardships a reduced rate of $20. We are using the honor system for scholarships for this event -  when registering you may register with the discounted rate.  Purchase orders are accepted.  Click here to register