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
Follow us on Twitter @SCAACN

Monday, January 2, 2012

Jay Nolan Sneak Preview: Inclusion Documentary & Filmmaker Discussion

FROM:
Camille Skipper Watkins
Director, Training and Resource Center
Jay Nolan Community Services


Jan. 9, 2012 10am - 3pm, The Autry National Museum, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A., CA 90027 No cost, Community Training Event – Limited space! For L.A. Parents, Special Educators, School Administrators, Advocates, etc.

Please help us identify and make contact with parents and families in need,
who are considering or possibly considering attending this education Inclusion film
screening on Jan. 9th.  We are looking for those who could benefit from $5 cash stipend
towards their travel and free sandwich voucher.  One per family and Limited supplies.

"How can students with complex emotional and behavioral challenges
as well as disabilities be successfully included in regular education classes?"

Monday, January 9th 2012,  Sneak Preview of New Inclusion Documentary &
Discussion with opportunity to share feedback on challenges and successes with
Filmmaker (and parent of child with a disability) Dan Habib.
             
No Costs to Parents, Teachers, Self-Advocates and Direct Support Professionals!
Who Cares About Kelsey? The newest education inclusion film and Habib’s Emmy-Nominated
Including Samuel will be view and information shared with audiences.  The day concludes with
Special parent educational advocacy Session lead by Areva Martin of the Special Needs Network.


Here’s Preliminary Agenda for January 9th, 2012 
Registration  9:30 - 10:00 AM
Welcome and Introduction of Filmmaker Dan Habib 10:00 - 10:30 AM
Viewing film "Including Samuel" & Discussion   10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Lunch  12:00 noon to 12:45 PM
Presentation, "Who Cares About Kelsey?" & Discussion  12:45 - 2:30 PM Special Parent Advocacy Presentation & Conclusion 2:30 - 3:00 PM
For Families in Need
$5 cash Travel stipends to parents or families  (1 per family)
One Free sandwich voucher for the The Autry Café.
Supplies very limited.

People should already register online for Jan 9th Screening, and contact me to
request  $5 Travel stipend and/or free sandwich voucher.  I will confirm at that
time if assistance is still available.


Registration is online:



Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions. 

Thank You,
Camille

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Radiolab Archive: Words (2010)

Always a good listen (or re-listen)! Radiolab's program about loss of and creation of language.  Listen to it at their archive website (HERE).


Description:  
It’s almost impossible to imagine a world without words. But in this hour of Radiolab, we try to do just that. We meet a woman who taught a 27-year-old man the first words of his life, hear a firsthand account of what it feels like to have the language center of your brain wiped out by a stroke, and retrace the birth of a brand new language 30 years ago.

Watch a lovely short film created to accompany this episode:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Boardmaker Share - Holiday Activities!

If you are still having problems viewing this message, please click here for additional help.

 
Facebook Twitter Vimeo YouTube
Mayer-Johnson - Your Special Education Super Source
The Holidays are getting closer and your to-do list is getting longer.
Hang Lights
Buy Presents
Create Holiday Activities for your Students
 
Don't worry, BoardmakerShare.com is here to be your special holiday helper!
We have tons of pre-made activities that will keep your students in high spirits
as the holiday approaches. Check out a few below!
Boardmaker Share
     
   



 
Order by Wednesday, December 21st and get $5.99 two-day shipping,
so your gift gets to you by Christmas!
 
     



DynaVox Mayer-Johnson | 2100 Wharton Street | Suite 400 | Pittsburgh, PA 15203 | 1 (800) 588-4548
© 2011 Mayer-Johnson
Unsubscribe

Thursday, December 15, 2011

RERC - Mobile Devices Video & MORE!



Boston Children's Hospital's Howard Shane and Jessica Gosnell, chat with David McNaughton and Sam Sennott discussing the use of mobile communication technologies (e.g., the iPad) by children with complex communication needs. 
The discussion includes:
  • Benefits of Mobile Communication Technology 
  • the Assessment Process 
  • Learning about New Apps
  • Intervention 
  • Building Vocabulary and Language Skills 
  • What's Next? 
  • Additional Resources 
Some points to ponder from their discussion...
- Let's give them something to talk about (via the internal camera on the iPad2). Snapping photos in vivo easily sets the stage for later communication - one really beautiful aspect!
- The paucity of a strong language system in most available communication apps. Do we start from scratch or use and modify an out-of-the-box vocabulary set?

Future needs, musing, and resources mentioned:
  • Motion detection and vocabulary detection based on the user's location, 
  • Audio speakers for various environments,
  • Significant access needs with the capacitive touch-access screen,
  • Restricting access to apps (!) and integration of functions, such as Time Lock for school hours (love it).
Also...
ASHA Division 12 Perspectives issue on Mobile Technologies


RERC White Paper on the use of Mobile  Technologies


Full, 3-part webcast by Howard Shane, PhD and Megan O-Brien on Visual Immersion Program for Autism (comprehension and expressive language skills)

    Using Visual Sequences for Autism - SERVAM

    SERVAM for Autism is a parent training book out of Australia that has some excellent information to share. I have used their Expressive Skills Questionnaire (available in PDF online HERE) in my interview of parents and teachers of nonverbal and minimally verbal students with functional communication needs.

    SERVAM stands for...
    S - sensory processing
    E - environmental change
    R - routines and planned change
    V - visual supports
    A - autism-friendly communication
    M - motivation

    Visit the SERVAM website HERE.

    Download SERVAM's current, free How-To on Visual Sequences for Autism (HERE)

    Monday, December 12, 2011

    FREE - AAC Language Lab Webinar (PRC) Wed, 12/14/11, 1-2:00



      
    AAC Language Lab Webinar Wednesday, December 14, 2011
    1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

    Take a tour of PRC's AAC Language Lab.  In this tour you will find...
    • Descriptions of Six Language Development Stages
    • Sets of Lesson Plans for Teaching Language
    • Unity® Curriculum
    • Lessons to Use with IntelliTools Classroom Suite
    • Smart Charts with Icon Sequences for Unity
    • PowerPoint Slide Shows for Teaching Language Concepts
    • Goals and Objectives for Language Development

    Click here to reserve your FREE Webinar seat!  

    After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
    System Requirements
    Pc-based attendeesMacintosh®-based attendees
    Required:  Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 ServerRequired:  Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

    Friday, December 9, 2011

    Online AT Training Alternatives (ATACP FasTrax at CSUN cancelled)

    Due to unforeseen departmental restructuring at the Center on Disabilities at Cal State Northridge the 2012 ATACP Training Program is on hold at this time.  The scheduled FasTrax training at the San Diego AT conference February, 2012, will not happen and all funds will be returned. Rest assured, the promised discount to conference registration fees will still be honored, and there will definitely be an ATACP Program at the 2013 CSUN Conference, should registrants wish to carry over their already-paid fee for the course ($1,795).

    FEAR NOT! 

    SCAAC-N has researched some alternative, and many times FREE, options for those wishing to learn more about Assistive Technology, and not wishing to wait.  Take a look at the following links to whet your appetite, or possibly satisfy it all together.

    Texas Assistive Technology Network - FREE online printable presentation slides and transcripts with intro and closing video on the topics of: Providing Assistive Technology, Considering AT in the IEP Process, Legal Perspective, Administrators Perspective, Team Evaluation, Implementation, Reading Support, Writing Support, and Transition

    STAR Training through TASC (Alabama) - scroll down to FREE video modules online once you've created a login/password on the topics of AT Laws, ALS and Voice-Banking, Microsoft Accessibility, Adapting Books, Note Taking, AT in the Classroom, Low Tech AT, Switch IQ, Preparation for Employment, Transportation, etc.

    Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) - online, university-affiliated courses (month-long, $350) such as Barrier-free Information Technology, and Creating and Repurposing More Accessible Content

    University of Washington's DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center - FREE, web-based tutorials, streaming video training (also available in DVD format), and links to useful resources for those who prefer self-directed learning.

    Alliance for Technology Access - archived training webinars FREE online. Titles such as: AT 101 (also in Spanish), AT in recreation, Intro to Accessibility Checklist, various vendor forums, etc.

    Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) - FREE - provided by SUNY Buffalo, articles to read online targeting elementary classrooms

    Other online trainings run across through this hunt:
    Intro to Boardmaker (lots of others, arranged by topic, at Mayer-Johnson's site)
    ProLoQuo2Go iPod/iPad communication app Introductory Videos