AAC Conference - 11/15/14, 9:00-1:00 (Redlands)

Autism:  Technology & Communication

November 15 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | University of Redlands

For educators, professionals and families that have individuals that do not have a lot of verbalcommunication (do not talk to express basic needs and wants).  

This year's speaker will be national speaker, Gwendolyn Meier Eberhard, CCC-SLP, MT-BC, Director of Speech and Language, Speech-Language Pathologist, Music Therapist at Villa Esperanza Services in Pasadena.  Topics addressed will include:

• Difference of using apps vs AAC
• Apps that  help with language development
• Other visual supports that can be used
• "Speaking AAC" to the learner so that they may then (and only then) learn to "speak AAC" to us. Incorporating aided language modeling into school and home routines and activities 

Cost will be $20 pp before Nov 1st; $25 pp after.  Click here to register. 

JOBS! Full-time AAC SLP needed in L.A.

So. Cal. Full-Time SLP Position Available!

Non-profit, AT program (ATEC) has a full-time SLP position available to serve clients who are in the greater Los Angeles area; serving LA, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank. The program provides a range of AT and AAC services throughout So. Cal. and is growing to meeting an increasing demand for services. The position offers opportunities in AAC program development, assessment, training and education. This position requires knowledge of AAC, and strong communication and case management skills. Appropriate licensure is required and two years of AAC experience is preferred. If interested, please email resume to Lauren Wetzler at laurenw@ocgoodwill.org or call 714.361.6200 ext.226.

An additional opening - 

SLP consultant position (hrs. flexible, part-time) available for our Orange County based services. Contact Lauren for details.

AAC Tip #8 from SDUSD

Thanks to the Assistive Technology team at San Diego Unified for sharing their AAC tips!

TIP: THINK ALOUD 

• When you have trouble locating vocabulary or using the device. Express your frustration by saying something like... "Where is that word?" or "Why isn't this working?"

Re-Post: Personalizing Communication Supports for Individual Success

Every time I visit the special day preschool classroom of Timaree Hayes I see a communication or participation visual support I hadn't noticed before. She directed me to the wonderful blog, Considerate Classroom, and their wealth of printables and ideas.

Just this month, Considerate Classroom re-posted a very thorough entry about Aided Language Input using static communication books. Here is a sample page...

There are also some lovely videos of similar supports in action with a particularly sweet student named Lilly... (see all of Lindy McDaniel's YouTube videos, HERE)

Take a look at Considerate Classroom!

Join us in Pasadena, 10/21/14

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

Location: Villa Esperanza Services, 2116 E. Villa Street, Pasadena, CA 91107

Topic - "AAC New and Reviews: Share Your Experience"

• Tips and tools from the 32nd annual Closing the Gap convention (Minneapolis, MN)
• October is AAC Awareness Month - social media activity
• New products from Apple
• Primer on SGDs and MediCare coverage
• ...and more!

   FREE! Always. Bring a colleague.

FUTURE PASADENA MEETINGS: Mark your calendars!

Winter 2015 - Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Spring 2015 - Tuesday, May 19, 2015

If these meetings are not in your "territory," we may be hosting our first ever Orange County meeting in early 2015! Follow the blog (enter your email address in the cell on the right column) to receive a daily email whenever new posts are up. Contact socalaacnetwork@gmail.com to join the (less often) email list.

AAC Tip #7 from SDUSD

Thanks to the Assistive Technology team at San Diego Unified for sharing their AAC tips!

TIP: Use the device YOURSELF. 

• Use the device yourself to communicate with the student. Providing a strong language model is important for learning any mode of communication (speech, sign language, picture-based communication). Only if we speak AAC to them, can we expect them to speak AAC to us! 

October is AAC Awareness Month - Giveaways

RE-POST from PrAACticalAAC.org:

Could it really be October already?! Let’s start off AAC Awareness Month with a giveaway.

We are so grateful to the following organizations for donating raffle prizes for this drawing. Please take a moment to thank them.

• Aacorn
• Ablenet
• Alexicom
• Appy Therapy
• Choice Works/Bee Visual
• Hump Software
• Lesson Pix
• News 2 You
• Safe N Sound Mobile
• Saltillo
• Smarty Ears
• Speak For Yourself
• Speak MODalities
• SpeechPathology.com
• Speech Tree Apps
• TapSpeak
• Therapy Box
• Tobii-Dynavox

LINK to the PrAACtical AAC Blog to read more and participate!