The following is a portion of a research paper combined with additional thoughts about using core vocabulary boards in my school. Communication is a basic right for all individuals (Hendricks, 2007; Unicef, 1989). Not everyone, however, enjoys easy communication. Children with complex communication needs (CCN) may need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to express… Read more
Viewing category: Speech
Why Pursue a Clinical Doctorate Degree?
Growing up, I had always assumed that I would have the highest degree possible. I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, with the requisite Ph.D., of course. It was only after taking my first teaching job that the dream fizzled and died. After a year of teaching, I decided to get my master’s degree in… Read more
Create a home away from home (in your classroom)
(Amazon affiliate links included in this post) Let’s face it, we spend a lot of time in our classrooms! Most of us are there not only during contract hours, but also before and after school, summer, conference times, and even weekends! For years I put up rules and posters around my room. It was functional…. Read more
Data Driven Language Therapy
As I sat at yet another “procedures and paperwork” meeting (aka the training that administrators force you to attend on an all too often basis), I sighed. I am painfully aware that IEPs need to be written to be measurable and precise, but I struggle conceptually and sometimes ethically with this concept. Unlike learning 26… Read more
Core or PECS for students with ASD?
At the beginning of this year, multiple people in my district began discussing communication for children with autism. The early childhood program is primarily using picture exchange communication with their students. However, once these same students enter elementary school, the elementary-high school SLPs begin using core vocabulary as our primary communication modality. At that… Read more
Low-tech AAC: Picture Exchange (Pros and Cons)
Please note before I begin this post that I am aware that PECS is a specific and trademarked system. I have been through the formal training, however, like most, I have adapted it and can no longer officially call it PECS. Over the years, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with picture exchange. I have gone… Read more
Low-tech AAC: Core Vocabulary (Pros and Cons)
Last year, several SLPs in my district attended a fantastic conference by Gail Van Tatenhove. By the end of the two days, we were ready to make some district-wide changes to AAC in our district. Although I have been using core boards and core vocabulary for years, this was going to be a radical collaborative… Read more
Low-tech AAC: PODD (Pros and Cons)
Seventeen years ago I was a brand new SLP graduate. I accepted the only mid-year job that I could find (overage for 2 SLPs with high caseloads) and began on a crazy adventure. One of the classrooms that I was to be serving contained students who were profoundly impacted by a variety of disabilities. I… Read more
SLP Book Club: Ginny Moon
Welcome to the SLP Book Club! This book club has been my dream and my baby as an SLP and a bibliophile. I am so excited to find others out there that want to explore new books with me and discuss them in the comfort of your jammies and slippers! Now…Let’s get this book party… Read more
Progress Monitoring in Speech Therapy
For most of my career as a speech pathologist, I have based my progress reports on the daily data that I take in speech. What I’ve always loved about this method is that it is super quick. I glance down my columns of data for each goal and report on how the student has been… Read more
Speech Data Collection
I have a confession to make. In the 17+ years that I have been a speech therapist, I have never been completely satisfied with my data collection. I consistently take data, and some say take it well, but I know I could do better. Every year (often multiple times in the year) I spend too… Read more
10 Years of Blogging!
Please scroll to the bottom of this post to enter the BIG giveaways! 10 years ago I had a 4 year old and 2 year old toddling about my home. My husband was somewhat healthy and studying for his Master’s of Divinity. And I decided to dip my hand into blogging. Instead of just a… Read more
How to use a mini core board
Have you ever considered attaching a core board to your body? Since we are often on the move with students, having one on you at all times would be amazing. But short of tattooing the board to your arm, how could one ensure constant access to core communication boards? This is the question I was… Read more
Amazing organization for easy lesson planning
Watch the video above before reading this post 🙂 Years ago I began lesson planning by the month. Not only does it make my life a whole lot easier, but it provides my SLPA with the structure needed for her groups. This year I’ve taken lesson planning a step further. I am creating 3… Read more
