PrACCtical Augmentative & Alternative Communication

Class Assignment

Answers:

1.Communication is the conveying of information or exchange of information to share information, needs, opinions, ideas, beliefs, feelings, emotions, experiences and values. Communication is more than just talking and listening; it involves understanding and interpreting. Communication is any act from which one person receives from another and can be intentional or non-intentional. The effectiveness of this communication varies from person to person depending on many variables.

Communication can be divided into 4 different categories but delivered in a variety of ways.

1. Verbal communication

2. Non-verbal communication

3. Written communication

4. Visual communication

2. Ways people communicate include…

• with their eyes
• orally via face to face interactions, telephone, radio, television, etc
• physically through touch, body gestures
• sign language
• pictorially through the use of programs like Board Maker or PECs
• in writing via letters, emails, books, magazines
• technology devices with programming including iPad with Proloquo2go or Picture Card Maker Plus
• visually with charts, graphs, maps, logos, etc
• acting out, meltdown

3. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is an umbrella term that encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language. AAC is used by individuals with a wide range of speech and language impairments including congenital impairments such as cerebral palsy, intellectual impairments and autism. In addition, AAC is used by individuals who have acquired conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

4. AAC systems are diverse but as with any device, ensuring an appropriate match is made between user and device is critical to its effectiveness and success.

5. Three criteria for effective communication:

• a communication partner (receiver)
• joint attention
• a common language

6. There are two categories of AAC Systems:

• Unaided communication systems - rely on the user's body to convey messages gestures, facial expressions, vocalizations, speech, and sign language
• Aided communication systems –require the use of tools or equipment in addition to the user's body. Examples are using an actual object to convey meaning; for example, your child hands you a cup to let you know she is thirsty pointing to , such as pictures or textures on a communication board or in a book activating a device; for example, your child presses a switch or button on a recorded speech device, initiating auditory output that says "I'm thirsty."

More examples include Communication board, Communication books, Recorded speech devices, Keyboards (The symbols on the keyboard might be letters, words, or picture symbols), iPads.

7. 

8.                                                    Maya Finds Her Voice

Linda J. Burkhart

Links:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication

http://www.lburkhart.com/

Evening # 8 - The Writing Process

APPS for Reluctant Readers - a quick recap!

Montesouri Crossword
Teach me to Read - Montesourri
Hooked on Phonics
aaLuminate
Reading Rainbow

• 123 Genius
• ABC Ninja
• ABC Genius
• Toddler
• I Like Books

Others include:

Let the child "decide"
Remember the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books? Brush of Truth by Story Bayou might be just the techie answer for encouraging a love of reading. From iTunes description

Use Musical Story Apps
Cassandra the Cow by Animalations is a huge hit with students, as are some of the apps from Perplext - this is from the developer The Little Red Hen.  The Perplext apps have a great pause feature so we can stop and practice each part of the story at our own pace.

Writing Process Task Analysis

                                 

We had the opportunity to perform a writing task analysis which entailed constructing a persuasive letter to out school board asking for iPads. We were then required to compose a list of EVERY STEP that we went through in order to complete the task....what a process!!! Here is a Summary (provided by Barbara Welsford) of the skill and processes involved in the Writing Process!

 Below, I experimented with PollEV while attempting to show the MANY Assisitve Technology options that are available to support our struggling writers:

We had the opportunity to watch a student using Clicker Sentence App and in comparison to his writing and typing output, his ability to "show what he knows" was overwhelming!! Barbara also showed him using Lego Junior...

This is a great graphic that provides Assistive Technology and the skills for which it can compensate in the Writing Process:

• Below are 2 videos we watched...the first really breaks down the MANY necessary components necessary for handwriting that most of us do not even realize are essential components and that the majority of people take for granted giving an up close perspective on what many of our learners struggle with on a regular basis as they attempt to produce written output product. In the second, Wade talks to Carol to discuss viable "low tech" options with which we can support these students and how they are used!

                                         

                                       Pencil Grip, Positioning & Handwriting OT Perspectives

Low Tech AT for Handwriting

Here is one of Barbara's video tutorials from You Tube                                                                                                                that provides a quick walk through of Cowriter App.

                                                                                                                     

Students who that struggle with written output need Assistive Technology to become independent learners that can COMMUNICATE WHAT THEY KNOW...and the great news is....THAT TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE!

Class # 7

Video of the Night: Life on iPad

This video helps to really let us think about the wide world of possibilities that the i Pad has to offer. 

Here is a Wordle I created containing all the reaction words we had as a class following the video:

Here is our class PollEV when asked "Share different ways you as a teacher can REPRESENT information to students to reach ALL learners."

READING Software & READING WEBSITES TREASURE HUNT:

Our task was to go on an online Scavenger Hunt in search of 5 Websites and 5 Software Products that offer Reading Remediation (aiding students to read).

Below are some examples of what Nicole & I found, what they have to offer and who would benefit from them, in other words, what reading difficulty is addressed.

Word Makerprovides phonics instruction through activities, including: matching, sorting, making and finding words, games, and progress tracking for teachers. This is sound, research-based practice, but with a price.

Into the Book is an interactive site for developing reading comprehension strategies.   Users are not required to download software or create an account...all they have to do is choose "kids" on the main page, enter their name, and they are ready to learn and practice a variety of strategies on pieces of text on the site.  The text can also be read aloud. Students who may need to widen their repertoire of comprehension strategies could benefit from using this site.  Responding to some of the prompts may require support.

Click here to see a short overview video of Lexia

Lexia Reading Core5 provides personalized learning on foundational reading skills for students of all abilities in grades pre-K–5 and delivers norm-referenced performance data without interrupting the flow of instruction to administer a test.

Merit Software Solutions

Reading skills software can be a great tool to accomplish these tasks. Particularly if the programs offer students constructive feedback and provide teachers with measurable results. Merit Software reading skills programs were designed with these features in mind. Many teachers have reported that they have been effective in helping them teach critical reading in classroom and lab settings. Some of the programs they offer are: Intensive Reading Web Suite, Complete English Web Suite, English Basic Web Suite and focus on a variety of skills such as reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing all in a fun engaging format for a variety of learners.

Reading Horizons

Why Does it Work for Beginning Readers in Grades K-3?

What Reading Skills Are Addressed?

By including exercises, activities, and games that build phonics, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension skills, this time-tested, research-driven approach helps students master decoding skills and grow in every area needed for reading success.

Simon Sounds It Out is a package, which provides phonics, practice for students who have learning disabilities. It assists in children learning the alphabet, letters sounds and words. Children can practice and work independently, concentrating on upper and lower case characters and phonics. 

Here is a Video that describes the Computer Assisted Technology "Simon Sounds it Out"

The BBC Schools website has many free games and activities linked to the main page of their site.  Students of all different ages can access activities to reinforce reading skills.  I really like the Magic Key and Bitesize Literacy links as these are  fun, engaging and can be differentiated for a range of ability levels.  Some of the activities, however, are not available outside of the UK and it can take several clicks to get to an activity.

This website is so kid appropriate because it's funny and so engaging..

you can also purchase the software, Earobics but this is the free online game area called Game Goo different levels so can be tailored to the student... letter sounds, poetry are part of the games covers a variety of skills...word sounds, sentence structure, following directions

phonetics, decoding skills and fun, so kids want to use it!

ABC Mouse 

Starfall

 Compensatory - "Strategies that provide alternate access to information"

Also introduced during Class #7 were:

• i Book - Life on Earth - UDL Enhanced Textbooks that provide different settings to access tailored to all students →can read to students (text to speech), built in interactive dictionary simply by selecting the word, interactive images, zoom feature, note maker option with voice to text using SIRI, interactive quizzes, study guide & cards option in addition to pre-made study cards, study options are available → great for students with ADD, decoding, visible impairments.

Crack the Books has a multi-leveled

read aloud option, text size options...

it also reads image descriptions

and teacher can assign reading levels tailored to each student!

There's an APP for that!

Here are some phenomenal Apps...Remember, once text is digitized, it is so malleable and can easily made more accessible to struggling readers! and is absolutely necessary for UDL to promote engagement and access for ALL

Scribiz - like Netflix but for BOOKS!

Signed Stories App