Viewing category: AAC

Literacy Interventions in Speech Therapy

Speech pathologists have an important role to play in literacy instruciton. Unfortunately, my graduate program never taught me what that role was or ... Read more

Shared Reading as Evidence-Based Practice

Did you know that shared storybook reading is an evidence-based practice for increasing expressive language skills? Not only does research support ... Read more

Core Vocabulary for Evidence-Based Practice

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 ... 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, ... 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 ... 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 ... Read more

How to use a mini core board

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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 ... Read more

Engage AAC users with a manipulative core board!

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Although picture exchange can be an effective communication system for some individuals (Tien, 2008), there are limitations to its use ... Read more

5 ways to teach the alphabet to early language learners

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Ms. T walked into the class to observe and was a little shocked. She saw the speech pathologist singing and signing the alphabet to a group of ... Read more

What is LAMP? How does it help communication?

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When my lovely Kindergarten student began school, she had an iPad and an app with 30 words on it. She was primarily using gestures, facial ... Read more

Learning core words- one letter at a time

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Have you ever had a student with almost no words but you knew that they had a lot to say? These are the students that fascinate me the most. I ... Read more

Modeling Language- A Free Course

When you work with a student who is non-verbal or minimally verbal, do you wonder what to do? During my first year out of grad school, I was ... Read more

eMerging SLPs: Merging into the self-contained classroom

As far as speech pathology jobs go, I have a tough population. I wear Kevlar sleeves as part of my uniform. I have developed wicked fast reflexes. I ... Read more