Category: Tips and Tricks


Mar
2021

AAC-SLP Tool Kit

categories: AAC, Assitive Technology, Tips and Tricks

Any other AAC-SLPs who sometimes feel like an engineer or IT tech? I often feel like I spend half my day running around fixing devices and never seem to have the tools I need on me! To make my life a little easier, I made a wearable toolkit for myself and the other SLPs I work with!

I have found the Herschel waist packs to be pretty durable!

Here’s what I included:

I love this 6 in 1 screwdriver as it should work with *most* SGDs, toys, AT equipment, etc.

The folding hex key set is essential for adjusting mounts for SGDs.

The paperclip – my best friend! I use this all the time for hard resets on SGDs.

The USB flashdrive is for saving SGD user areas and also doubles as an “unlock key” for the toolbox on the Accent devices.

I have some assorted batteries (AA, 9V, 2032), velcro dots, magnet strip, sharpie, dry erase marker, and a tape measure.

The snap bracelet and finger light are just some easy to carry items that I can use to direct a student’s attention to their device. I find these especially helpful when calibrating an eye gaze device.

A mini notebook and pen come in handy when I need to jot something down since we can’t have phones out at work!

The individual packet screen cleaning wipes are easy to carry around! I also added a stylus so that I could model on multiple devices without touching everyone’s talkers!

The hand sanitizer, chapstick, and hair tie are some personal items that I can’t live without!

What do you keep in your tool kit?


Apr
2020

AAC at Home: Video Messaging Apps

categories: AAC, Apps, Assitive Technology, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

There seem to be a million and one ways to keep in contact with friends and family floating around the internet right now. Marco Polo is one that I have been using for quick video messages to my loved ones. It is also a great resource for video messages that include AAC.

There are a few features in this app that make it a fun and easy way to communicate or use for video modeling with someone who is far away right now.

You can find Marco Polo on the App Store or Google Play.

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Apr
2020

Low Tech AAC Ideas

categories: AAC, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Today, I’d like to share some low tech AAC options you can implement at home. Working in a school, I typically have access to many resources to make AAC systems including a printer and laminator for low tech boards in addition to having access to mid tech devices and high tech loaner systems. But I also work in early intervention and don’t always have access to the same resources. Many times, while we’ve submitted for a high tech device trial, my families and I want to put some sort of AAC system in place. We often turn to no/low-tech options!

This video shares some of the ideas we’ve used. There are many ways you can use items you have at home to make simple AAC systems. In the video I shared that many robust AAC systems have a back-up manual board. I often print and laminate these (you can use packing tape if you don’t have a laminator!) and introduce them to my clients while waiting for their high tech device. Here are some manual board resources.

The AAC Language Lab has Unity, CoreScanner, and LAMP manual communication boards.

Saltillo has manual communication boards for WordPower.

Check out Gail Van Tatenhove’s resource for designing a manual communication board for your child/client.


Apr
2020

Literacy Presentation for Connections Beyond Sight and Sound

categories: Assitive Technology, Literacy, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Today I presented a webinar for Connections Beyond Sight and Sound, the Maryland Deaf-Blind Project. A big thanks to them for including me in their webinars! Here is the powerpoint for my presentation.

In case you missed it, I discussed making reading experiences accessible with story boxes, language experiences books, and book modification ideas. I also talked about alphabet instruction, phonological/phonemic awareness, and vocabulary/ concept development. A reminder that my background is in speech-language pathology and many of my accommodations and activity ideas for children with low vision come from collaborating with a TVI.

The recorded session should be posted soon through CBSS. Here is the link for the original listing. I’ll try to update this post when there is a link for the recorded presentation!


Apr
2020

AT at Home: OverDrive Read-Along

categories: Assitive Technology, Literacy, Tips and Tricks

We think the Philadelphia Museum of Art captures parenting and working from home correctly with this meme.

We understand that one of the biggest challenges right now is keeping children occupied. If your local library uses OverDrive as a service for digital content, then you have access to books that provide narration.

These books can viewed on your laptop, tablet, or phone. Simply, log-in to your library’s website and search the catalog using the advanced search or filtered option.

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Apr
2020

AAC at Home- Sensory Dough (a lot of it)

categories: AAC, Tips and Tricks

We are excited to continue sharing fun activities you can do at home and the modeling cheat-sheets to go with them.

Click the picture below for a link to my Pinterest board, “All the Dough”.

Most of these doughs can be made using common ingredients you can find in your pantry. Here are a few of my favorites:

This is a tried and true recipe.

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Mar
2020

Age Appropriate Literature-Graphic Novels & Kindle

categories: Literacy, Tips and Tricks

The current trend is to convert popular young adult literature into graphic novels. These can be a great resource when you are looking for age-appropriate and motivating literature for older readers. When using these in your virtual classroom or at home, Kindle Cloud and the Kindle App can be a helpful tool. Click the link below to view an Amazon list of our favorite titles.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RDRGQ3L7K4B8?ref_=wl_share

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Feb
2017

How To Adapt Graphic Novels in PowerPoint

categories: AAC, Assitive Technology, Literacy, Tips and Tricks

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Earlier this year, I found out that my beloved Baby-Sitters Club books had been turned into graphic novels. I immediately thought of a few pre-teen girls I know that would love to read these books on their eye-gaze devices. In our previous post, we discuss using Office 365 on Accent Devices to display adapted PowerPoint books. This would also be possible using the PowerPoint App on the iPad.

Unfortunately, I didn’t quite realize how daunting it would be to adapt the entire chapter book. I promise that it will be available for anyone who can demonstrate proof of purchase for the book when I it is complete. Until that time, I thought I would provide some instructions for how to I adapt graphic novels (I have listed a few suggestions, provided by a very helpful Barnes & Noble employee, below).

Roller Girl                              El Deafo                                        Amulet

                      

Continue reading for step-by-step instructions for adapting graphic novels in PowerPoint.

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