Archie's Story - The Center for AAC & Autism

Like many 13-year-old boys, Archie Pollock has found a passion for a particular sport – surfing... But Archie didn’t always enjoy surfing – or any activities. At age 3, Archie was diagnosed with autistic spectrum condition and dyspraxia, which severely limited his ability to socialize and communicate. It wasn’t until he began working with the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) approach and a device featuring Unity language software that life started to change for the Pollock family...

Searching for the Right Approach

Following his diagnosis, Archie began working with a speech therapist who introduced the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) as a way to help him communicate, "but Archie would still become very frustrated, and he preferred to rely on his own vocalizations. The problem was, those outside of our family still had trouble understanding him.”
At age 8, Archie’s therapist reintroduced sign language as another communication option...but... his signs weren’t very accurate, which, again, produced greater frustration... “He always was very attracted to the computer"...Because of this interest, they decided to try introducing Archie to a new speech language app on the iPad. Chris said she was very hopeful that this method would finally help.

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

In 2010, Chris met Nikki Blundell, a speech and language therapist in the United Kingdom...she initially set a goal for Archie to be able to use a set of 10 to 20 core words that he could verbally say and would be recognized by people who were less familiar with him.  Nikki organized a trial loan of the Vantage Light communication device containing the Unity language software. Within 20 minutes of their first session, Archie made a three-word phrase...“Right from the beginning, it was clear that he was interested”...an anonymous donor wanted to purchase a talker on Archie’s behalf. Chris explains that she was “absolutely staggered"...
Read Archie's full article, HERE.

JOBS! (Pittsburgh, PA) SLP Supervisor w/AAC Experience

ICAN™ Talk Clinics of the AAC Institute is an innovative speech-language assessment, intervention, treatment, and training non-profit agency specializing in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services. Our main office is located in uptown Pittsburgh, PA. We serve a wide variety of clients with developmental, acquired, and degenerative conditions across the life span. Services are provided in the out-patient, home-based, and school based settings.

Job Description:  Speech Language Pathologist Supervisor
25-hour per week ASHA certified speech-language pathologist to help supervisor our clinic to provide supervisory tasks, patient related services in the home-based and out-patient based settings. The primary focus of service delivery will be AAC related for both children and adult; however, we see a wide range of clients with variety of communication disorders. Competitive salary rates, health benefits package, and mileage reimbursement offered. ICAN™ Talk Clinics of the AAC Institute provides equal opportunities to those working for and with our organization. We strive to promote opportunities of work that do not discriminate based on age,race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and/or marital status.

Supervisory tasks include but are not limited to:
• Monitor that all documentation is being completed on time by staff members
• Oversee that staff is fulfilling requirements for all contracts
• Review and approve time off for staff
• Help organize and conduct monthly meetings and training for staff with the Exective Director

Requirements:
• Knowledge and experience working in the field of AAC
• Masters Degree from an accredited Communication Sciences and Disorders program
• At least 2 years field experience
• ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence
• Pennsylvania state license or eligibility for a Pennsylvania state license
• Child abuse, Criminal, and FBI clearances or ability to obtain clearances
• Previous supervisory experience is a plus

Interested SLPs please contact Rachel Harkawik at 412-402-0900 or email your resume to khill@aacinstitute.org or fax it to 412-402-0909.

PRC: Alternative Access & FREE training 1/24/13, Santa Ana, CA

Go to PRC's Website HERE

Using Alternative Access

Using Alternative Access?  Here are the top five little known features in the PRC 'Access Method Menu' that can have a big impact on alternative access.

#5  OFF SCREEN KEY SETTINGS

To avoid unnecessary distraction for early learners using a joystick, a trackball, head tracking or eye gaze, limiting their selections to just the words on the screen can help.  Items like the toolbox, drop down menus, user keys, the manual pause, and even the text area can be made inactive by simply setting each item to 'off' in the access method menu.

#4  SCAN AUTO RESTART

One of the most challenging aspects of using a single switch for scanning is the timing element.  By turning scan auto restart 'off', the individual will be able to manually restart the scan after making a selection.  While this step will add a significant number of required switch activations over time, it may make a big difference for the early learner.

#3  MANUAL SELECTION

Having trouble with accidental activations with a joystick, trackball, or eye gaze?  Changing the selection type from 'auto' or 'dwell' to 'manual' will allow for control that is much like clicking a mouse.  While it requires more motor control, a manual selection may be something to try for early learners or individuals who otherwise struggle to make a selection within a set timeframe.

#2  RELEASE TIME

Especially with switch scanners and touch access, increasing the release time by just 1 or 2 tenths of a second can make all the difference for someone who is making multiple activations when only one is intended.

#1 PREDICTIVE SELECTION

Turning this function 'on' will allow blank keys to be ignored by the access method.  If you are scanning with a switch, these keys get skipped.  When using direct selection, blank keys cannot be selected.  For someone using touch, they become essentially 'dead', and when using head tracking or a joystick they will provide 'rest stops'.

PRC TRAINING AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA

Unity Language for LifeDate:  January 24, 2013 Time:  9:00am - 3:30pm Facility:  Assistive Technology Exchange Center Location:  Santa Ana, CAAttend This Training This course will focus on the features of Unity for Unity 60, 84, and 144 (Accent, ECO, or Vantage Lite devices). Participant will review overlays and icon features/functions, Unity Pattern 1 (verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs) and Unity Pattern 2 (pronouns). You will also learn Unity Pattern 3 (pronoun phrases), Unity Pattern 4 (noun categories), Unity Pattern 5 (closed class categories), and strategies for teaching Unity vocabularies. Devices for this training are not required. If you choose to bring a device, please bring an ECO, Accent 1200, Vanguard, Vantage, Vantage Lite, or laptop computer pre-loaded with the appropriate PASS software.

Julie Dunbar, M.S., Ed.

Email:  jad.cons@prentrom.com

Phone:  (800) 262-1984 Ext. 445

Website:  prentrom.com

ATI Conference, 2/2/13, $25

Registration is now open for the 9th Annual ATI Conference on Saturday, February 2nd at the Orange County Dept of Ed.

The Assistive Technology Institute (ATI) conference provides an opportunity to learn about assistive technology and interact with professionals and vendors in this specialized field.

For more information, please visit the conference website: http://ati.atec-oc.org

Full Day Conference Details:
Date: Saturday, February 2nd, 2013
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $25
Location: Orange County Department of Education (200 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626)

Description: Various AT speaker breakout sessions offered throughout the day, vendor fair and keynote speaker. For more information on speaker sessions and vendors participating in the full day conference, please visit the conference website at http://ati.atec-oc.org.

Keynote: We will be having a parent panel for the "keynote." Three sets of parents who have a child or children who use AT will share their stories. As a part of the registration process we are welcoming attendees to submit suggested questions for the parent panel. Please feel free to enter a question for the parents when entering your registration information (this is optional).

(Preconference is SOLD OUT for Friday 2/1/13. Limit was 20 registrants)

Singapore Rehabilitation Conference - Call for Abstracts

The Scientific Sub-committee of the 2nd Singapore Rehabilitation Conference invites participants to submit their abstracts of original, unpublished works, case reports, and reviews for oral or poster presentation. The Sub-committee will decide on the form of presentation for all abstract submissions. 

 

One workshop offering of interest (in case you happen to be in the area):

Fundamentals Course In Assistive Technology by RESNA: 1-2 March 2013

Singapore Rehabilitation Conference singaporerehab.com.sg

27 to 28 February 2013, MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO

Posted by Natalie Leung on the LinkedIn AAC Professionals forum. Join in the LinkedIn conversation HERE.

FREE - All About iDevices - Feb 21, 2013

(From Jenn Park, West San Gab. SELPA)
Back by popular demand is the All About iDevices Workshop provided free of charge to classroom teachers, administrators, and other direct service providers from Private Schools, Public Schools and Non – Public Schools. February 21, 2013 from 8:00 - 3:00 pm at the West San Gabriel Valley SELPA offices in Alhambra, CA. 
 
This is the same workshop that was held in November 2012 so if you would like to attend again, you may...
Please pass this information on to those you know that may benefit from this workshop. The link is available on our website www.wsgvselpa.org  under the Registration-Trainings/Workshop. A direct link to the registration form is: http://tinyurl.com/idev22113
If possible, sending at least two from each site would be beneficial as the content can be quite heavy to digest alone. Participants will also need an iPad/iPod along with the Apple ID and password in order to install/delete apps.
If you have questions please let me know. Thank you and have a Happy Holiday season!
--
Jenn Park
Program Specialist
Assistive Technology Specialist
jennpark03@gmail.com

West San Gabriel Valley SELPA
15 W. Alhambra Rd.
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 943-3435
(626) 943-7459 (Fax)
www.wsgvselpa.org

Job Announcement: ATEC Orange County

Position: Technology Specialist, Part-Time

Location: Santa Ana, CA

From Lauren Wetzler at ATEC:

We are proud of our reputation as a leader in rehabilitation services. Our Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC) provides comprehensive assistive technology (AT) services for persons with a broad range of disabilities throughout Southern California.  The ATEC team is growing to meet the increasing demand for services. We have an opportunity for a new team member.

ATEC currently has an position available for a Technology Specialist. The position would be a part-time position located at our office in Santa Ana, CA. The main job responsibilities would be to provide technical support for people with disabilities and clinical staff, market/outreach program services, and coordinate AT services.

If you are someone you know is interested or would like more information, please have them email me their resume to my attention at laurenw@ocgoodwill.org.