AT and AAC: Practical Tips and Strategies : professional issues

My Top 5 Favorite Ways to Continue Learning

Angela Desideri — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:23:00 GMT

One of the things I love about being a Speech Language Pathologist is that we never stop learning. Nowadays, with technology and all of the amazing social media sites, keeping up to date is easier than ever. All you need to do is find the time, which I know for many that may be problematic. My next set of blog posts will be a compilation of my top favorite sites and resources. They can help you keep up with the ever-expanding learning curve limiting the time you spend searching and rather use that time to continue learning.

#5: Podcasts

Do you ever miss the college experience? I do. Are you looking for some easy ways to continue the college experience on topics you are interested in learning more about? Absolutely! Have you ever dreamed of attending Yale, but didn't quite make the cut or in our case they didn't have a Speech - Language Pathology program?

Well, here's a resource that makes it easy for you to do just that any time you want-Podcasts! To listen and watch Podcasts that meet your learning yearnings, all you have to do is go to iTunes and click on iTunes University. There you will find University lectures and videos on thousands of topics. I'm particularly interested in MIT's lecture on Autism, Theory and Technology and the UC Davis MIND Institute's courses on iPads as Assistive Technology Tools. You will find lots of topics to match your own special interests, and most of them are free. Listen to a few. And please share your favorites so I can be sure to check them out!

DropBox: Are You Using It?

Angela Desideri — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:19:00 GMT

Have you ever tried sending documents, videos, or pictures but weren't able to because the file was too large? Did you ever forget to bring your flashdrive and as a result didn't have access to your documents? If this is the case, then you are going to love using Dropbox. Dropbox is a service that allows you to save and share your documents, photos and videos.

Here's how it works:

1. You join Dropbox and set up an account. Create folders that contain your documents, photos and videos. An internet connection is required to use DropBox.

2. Invite other to join your folders. By doing so they will have access to everything that's in your folder.

Ways I use Dropbox:

1. I use it to share PowerPoint presentations (and other large files) with others.

2. I share screenshots of apps I use in therapy with other teachers and SLP's that are using the same apps, all they have to do is print them.

3. I have photos in a Dropbox folder that I use to elicit descriptive language and conversation skills with my students. Using Dropbox on my iPad I can access the photos and use them without having to waste ink, paper and lamination.

4. I share sequences that I created in the Making Sequences app.

5. I have easy access to all of my work related documents from anywhere (as long as I have a computer and an internet connection) so it makes it easy to finish reports from home.

With Dropbox you will never again be without a desired document, photo or video and will be able to easily share large files with others from a Mac or PC. Start the new school year off by using Dropbox!

Teaching AAC Use: Do You Need Some Help?

Angela Desideri — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:53:00 GMT

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATiA) recently published "The Critical Need for Knowledge and Usage of AT and AAC Among Speech-Language Pathologists.

The publishing surveyed various SLP's and found the following (to see the complete list please refer to their paper):

86% need more information on the range of AT and AAC services.
74% reported that they didn't receive enough education regarding AAC while in school.
More than 90% want more information about tablets and their possible role in AT and AAC.

Based on this report, I felt it was important to provide SLP's with a resource that can help them learn more on this topic.

1) PrAACtical AAC

Created by Carole Zangari and Robin Parker, two SLP's and University professors that teach on the topic of AAC. The website provides a continual wealth of practical AAC techniques that you can use immediately in therapy including video examples and AAC teaching techniques in action.

Here's a video and a few blog posts I found very useful.

2) Webinar Learning: "Using iPad in School Based Therapy:

I will be hosting an ASHA CEU webinar titled "Using iPad in School Based Therapy" on July 28 @ 10:30 EST . This webinar teaches evidence based strategies to use the iPad as an educational tool. To learn more about the webinar click here.

Feel free to to read ATiA's white paper and let me know how you feel about technology by commenting in the section below or on the Facebook page. Also, I would love to hear what you found useful on PrAACtical AAC's website.

References

Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA). (2012). The Critical Need for Knowledge and Usage of AT and AAC Among Speech Language Pathologists. Retrieved from: http://www.atia.org/files/public/ATIA%20SLP%20Survey%20White%20Paper_6_12_12.pdf

iPad & Settings: A Tip to Enhance Learning

Angela Desideri — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:07:00 GMT

Are you aware you can adjust the general settings on your iPad? By controlling the specific settings, you can increase students' attention, decrease frustration and behaviors, and most importantly, make the most use out of your therapy time.

Settings allows you to restrict access to certain areas on your iPad and provide SLPs with the peace of mind to ensure the iPad is used for learning purposes.

Here's how you can access restrictions on your iPad (located within the general settings).

Select the Settings icon
Select General
Select Restrictions
Select Enable Restrictions and when prompted enter a passcode

Here are my setting recommendations:

Safari - off - Disables internet access.
YouTube - off - Prevents access to videos.
Installing Apps - off - Prevents apps from being installed.
Deleting Apps - off - Prevents apps from being deleted.
Allow Music and Podcasts Rated Explicit - off
Movies - Don't allow movies
TV Shows - Don't allow TV shows
In-App Purchases - off - Prevents in-app purchases from being made.

Here's a screenshot of my recommendations:

iPads in Schools: Interview with an iPad Coach Part 2

Angela Desideri — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:07:00 GMT

In my last blog, I interviewed Dawn Hallett, iPad Coach at Warringa Park School in Melbourne, Australia. As you will soon learn from Dawn's experience, it takes a considerable amount of planning, training, and support to ensure the successful use of this new technology. Here is Part 2 of my interview with Dawn.

Angela: What is your school doing to train and provide ongoing support to staff?

Dawn: An essential part of my role is to provide training for my staff. I provide professional development on the basics of the iPad itself. We also encourage teachers to provide a workshop based around an application they are currently using. This happens every Thursday after school.

Although my official title is ‘iPad Coach,' I operate as a teaching and learning coach, with a focus on technology. I work alongside teachers for a term at a time. Together, we identify the level each student is working at, plan activities to enable the student to progress onto the next level and identify opportunities for using the iPad to support these activities. I will then model some lessons that integrate the iPad and provide support to my colleagues with further lessons.

Angela: How does your school ensure the iPads are being used for educational purposes?

Dawn: This is an expectation when teachers sign up for an iPad. As we don't download applications unless they are educational, our students are only able to use the iPad for educational purposes, even if they don't stay working on the app the teacher wants them to!

Angela: How are apps purchased and distributed?

Dawn: Each student is provided with an iTunes gift card. At the start, this was $50. The teachers are then provided with a list of suggested applications that total the amount and are asked to download these applications onto each iPad. For some older students, we quickly learned that some needed the restrictions applied, as Justin Bieber had been downloaded "accidentally" onto one iPad! But this has been part of the learning process for us.

When teachers plan at the end of each term for the following term, they identify applications that will fit with their topic and are then given vouchers that total the required amount. It is more beneficial to use iTunes vouchers, as there are always special offers, for example, buying $50 for $40. However, if a teacher desperately needs an app, our IT Manager will gift it to them.

Please share in the comment section how your school is using iPads and the success and/or challenges you have encountered!

iPad : Should I Buy One?

Angela Desideri — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:09:00 GMT

I bought my iPad when they first came out over 2 years ago and have used it everyday since then with my students.

Should YOU buy an iPad?

The best way for me to answer this question is to explain the three major benefits I have found so far using the iPad with my students.

Access:

The majority of my students have learned how to access the iPad. Most have learned how to turn it on, swipe the screen, flick, scroll, and zoom while interacting with the selected apps.

Motivation:

I have witnessed a greater motivation to learn from my students. With a large selection of cost effective apps, we are able to work on many targeted areas including:

Expressive and receptive language
Social skills
Organization
Communication
Much, much more.

One of the largest motivating factors has been many students initiating preferred activities on the iPad.

Attention:

Some of my students have very short attention spans. Therefore, I find myself looking for activities that can help sustain their attention for longer periods of time. I have found many apps that can help achieve and expand my students' attention.

For me, the iPad has definitely been a game-changer. For those of you that already purchased an iPad, how has it benefitted you and your students?

AAC: Three Things Every Parent, SLP and Educator Needs to Know

Angela Desideri — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

This month I have been doing a lot of traveling and presenting on AAC and AT. During the process of preparing for these presentations, I was reminded of these important areas related to AAC. Here are three important things that every parent, SLP and educator that lives and works with individuals who have complex communication needs (CCN) should know.

1. AAC Competency Takes Time

The average 18-month-old child has been exposed to 4,380 hours of oral language development (at a rate of 8 hours a day from birth). A child who communicates using a communication system and receives speech and language therapy two times per week for 20-30 minutes a session will reach that same rate of language exposure in 84 years. (Korsten, Jane. From "Considering AAC - Speech and Language, Common Myths & Resources," on: http://bit.ly/nmpKhV).

My Thoughts: It's imperative that families, therapists and educators realize that AAC use takes time. This realization minimizes the setting of unrealistic expectations. With the proper instruction, practice, support, and encouragement individuals with CCN can progress from novel AAC users to advanced users.

2. AAC and Literacy

"Approximately 70 percent of individuals with severe communication impairments are significantly behind their peers in learning literacy." (Koopenhaver & Yoder, 1992). Literacy skills are more important than ever considering the connection to employment, socialization, leisure activities, and much more.

My Thoughts: The good news is that research has led to the development of evidence-based literacy programs for individuals with CCN. Given the proper instruction, individuals with CCN can and do learn literacy.

3. AAC and Employment

Only a small percentage of individuals who use AAC are employed (15 percent at the most). It's a well- documented fact that individuals with CCN have difficulty securing and maintaining employment due to many factors, including lack of literacy skills, little or no work preparation, skill limitations, and barriers such as attitudes, transportation, policies, and other factors.

My Thoughts: Since this impacts many, it's important to examine the success stories of individuals with CCN as their experiences may help others maintain and secure employment. I look forward to sharing some of them with you, as they are truly inspiring!

Be sure to read my upcoming blogs where I will be discussing creative solutions to each of these three things.

"Books Are So Last Year"

Angela Desideri — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, I was cleaning out my therapy room for summer break when I accidentally dropped my books. One of my students helped me pick them up and when he was finished he said, "Books are so last year."

My first thought was "wow," his language skills have really improved. My second thought brought me back to a place years ago when I would say something similar to my parents and realized those roles have now changed. I suddenly realized that I'm getting older and my "cool factor" is not what it once was.

When I asked him what he meant, he opened a book on his iPod touch®.

This got me thinking about the evolution of technology these last few years and how it has helped me to improve my speech and language therapy sessions. With a few simple clicks, I now have cost-effective accessibility to hundreds of educational books and applications, including those that address the following areas:

AAC
Literacy
Social skills
Behavioral reinforcers and much more

I'm always looking for new therapy tools to add to my toolbox. I have really enjoyed using the iPad® in therapy for over two years now. One interactive book that my younger students have enjoyed on my iPad is the Three Little Pigs by Nosy Crow. My students enjoy touching the characters and interacting with them as they listen to the story. During therapy I use it for working on story recall and "wh" question goals with my students.

An additional benefit of iPad use is it's a lot lighter to carry than books, and much more convenient!!!