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.
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The University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Autism Treatment Network would like to invite you to celebrate the launch of our Interacting with Autism website. We will host a special event featuring both the website and local autism research initiatives.
Interacting with Autism is a video intensive source of information on understanding, treating, and living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Please Save the Date:
Saturday September 28th 2013 10AM -3PM at USC’s new Interactive Media Building Drop in any time, panels will be held at 11am, 1pm, and 2pm
The event will feature: Multi-screen Presentations of the Website 3 Panels with Experts on Autism Display of USC Research Projects on Autism Book Signing by Authors on Autism Art Activities for Children Picnic Lunches and Other Refreshments
Please visit our Facebook page or interactingwithautism.com/launch for additional updates including parking info, live-streaming and descriptions of our panels for those who cannot attend. You can also check out our Facebook page for sneak previews of the films!
There are interesting conversations happening on the ASHA SIG 12/AAC Community page! Knowing that you all might not follow it, let me entice you with some fun finds here... Linda Burkhart has knowledge, tips, and ideas to spare. Linda is a regular at the Closing the Gap conference in Minneapolis each Fall, but for those of us who can't make it out to see her, Linda posts a selection of handouts on her website. This handout from 2012, entitled Two Switches for Success, touches on much more than switch use. I love how she talks about motivation - which applies to ALL learners! Take a look at Linda's entire list of handouts including IEP goals, CVI, Aided Language, Rett, etc. - HERE. From WATI, the fabulous document Assistive Technology Supports for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders has been shared - and (wow!) is it a great resource. From Meher Banajee, a 2012 presentation on AAC in Acute Care Setting.
New from RJ Cooper. This combo looks like it could really help uses who sit and type (single-fingered) to achieve ideal positioning every time!
iPad/Tablet Combo (keyboard & iPad/Tablet) Stand ($99) This pic shows the small tray which angles the keyboard at a steep angle - but is adjustable to less steep levels. (shown with my BIG Blue-Tooth Keyboard and my Ultimate II Case)
Join IRSF and families around the country as we unite to hear how YOU can become involved in October Rett Syndrome Awareness Month for our October Awareness Webinar on Sepetmber 5th at 1:00p.m. EDT. Our month only becomes meaningful when we raise awareness. Join us to learn tips on how you can do this in your community. It’s easy to take part! Please plan to join us for IRSF’s annual “Open Call” to hear ideas of what you can do to make this October the most meaningful one yet. You will hear from IRSF board member, Barry Rinehart as well as Lemonade Stand guru, Ariane McMahan. You will also learn about the IRSF PSA, IRSF’s signature event, the Strollathon, and how to obtain a governor proclamation. You don’t want to miss out! Click here to register for the session now: Thu, Sep 5, 2013 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar.
System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Mac®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer
Mobile attendees Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet
Sincerely, The IRSF Family Support Staff www.rettsyndrome.org
I Have A Question: "Where can I get lesson plans that are specific to teaching Minspeak and Unity?" The Minspeak website has a variety of different intervention plans to help you plan goals and objectives, as well as teaching activities for the new school year! Plus, visit the renovated AAC Language Lab for a variety of free and subscription-only resources.
Core in the Classroom: Use the Contraction Action worksheet to help your students understand and practice contractions that are part of the Unity® program. The AAC Language Lab also has a clinical lesson plan for teaching contractions.
The Pixon Project: Pixons can be used as teaching materials for picturing the metaphors behind Unity®84 icon sequences. The word for this week is "stop." Compare the Pixon for stop to the icon sequence, using the appropriate verb endings. Teach the meaning of the word stop by making a stop sign and using it in various activities that involve movement and other actions. Extend the meaning of the word stop into other contexts that don't involve obvious physical actions or movements (e.g., your nose is stopped up, our team stopped them from scoring, the music stopped, etc.).
Pixon Permission: It's the start of another school year and if you have a Pixon Project Kit, you will want to copy the CDs to your computer. If you work in a facility where the IT department monitors your computers and requires written permission to copy things to the computer, go to the Minspeak website for a copy of a permission form.
Spotlight: Mackenzie Kench, from New Zealand, has used AAC tools and strategies most of her life. As part of a University assignment she had to create a 10-minute documentary. She chose to do it on Minspeak in order to help educate others on how she communicates.
Staring at the coastal California stars last night has taken my interest skyward. I was reminded of this charming song about the planets and some visual supports I made for a buddy of mine who attended Colonial House Preschool in South Pasadena. We tried to make the lyrics come alive for her with some visuals. Watch the original Planets song from the Blue's Clues program on NickJr.com (HERE, there are ads to endure). Buy the original recording of the Planets song for $0.99 at Amazon, CLICK HERE. Below is a special performance of the song with no ads, sung by Toni Braxton.
Well, the sun's a hot star... Mercury's hot too.
Venus is the brightest planet... Earth's home to me and you.
Mars is the red one. Jupiter's most wide.
Saturn's got those icy ring's, and Uranus spins on its side.
Neptune's really windy, and Pluto's really small.
Well, you wanted to name the planets, and now you've named them all!
Visual scene displays (VSDs) offer a display option with a high level of contextual support for users who respond best to real photos. VSDs offer a way to (1) capture events in the individual’s life, (2) offer interactants a greater degree of contextual information to support interaction and (3) enable communication partners to participate more actively in the communication process (from AAC RERC). TouchChat HD, my favorite AAC app for the iPad, can be used to create VSDs through a simple process I'd like to share with you now...(thanks to Terry Kappe, SLP for use of her toy shelf pic!)
to the icon sequence, 
using the appropriate verb endings. Teach the meaning of the word stop by making a stop sign and using it in various activities that involve movement and other actions. Extend the meaning of the word stop into other contexts that don't involve obvious physical actions or movements (e.g., your nose is stopped up, our team stopped them from scoring, the music stopped, etc.).
