Simple Sentences (Books for Early Language Learners)
Simple sentence books to work on early language and sight-words. Perfect for beginner AAC users!
Search Results for: core vocabulary
AAC | Language | Speech | Uncategorized
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 shared reading, but it is one of the most natural and universally known adult/child bonding interactions! Single subject case studies have found that shared storybook reading can result in significant expressive language increases for…
Best Practice for Articulation
I don’t know about your speech pathology program, but I really wish I had taken a good evidence-based course in speech sound disorder treatment. When I accidentally fell into the role of school-based SLP, I had no background on how to do articulation therapy. So I looked to my right and my left and started…
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…
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…
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…
Modeling Language- AN AAC 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 completely lost. I had a class of severely impacted and medically fragile students, and I had no idea what to do with them. I felt so overwhelmed,…
Secrets for Modeling Language
The difficulty with verbal language for many children with language disorders is that it is fleeting and invisible. Communication boards make that language visual, and permanent and give clear delineations between different words. My students with low language skills need as many cues as possible. Modeling language with communication boards and books makes understanding language…
Building Basic Sentences with AAC
I work with three classrooms of minimally/non-verbal students. My ultimate goal for all of these students is SNUG: spontaneous novel utterance generation. Novel utterance generation of and combinations of words will enable my students endless communication possibilities. To facilitate SNUG, the following teaching tools are important for all: Model. All language learners needs hundreds and even…
Language Based Communication Boards
A little speech talk here. Wait! Don’t go! You just might learn something awesome. 😉 Language development of a typical child includes expressing: 5-20 words at 18 months of age 150-300 words at 24 months 900-1000 words at 36 months Although the vocabulary expansion throughout early childhood is tremendous, about 80% of everything that is…
Photo of the Week #2
“Photo of the Week #2” provides the SLP or educator with 40 amazing photographs for establishing routines and/or helping with hallway transitions. Students begin or end each session with a photo of the week, or use the worksheets for weekly practice. Students develop the skills to answer questions about common social skills goals (understanding feelings of self…
Trainings & Workshops
Trainings & Workshops for schools & organizations TOPICS Online trainings and workshops to support all educators, therapists, and family members, especially those around the IEP table. Learn evidence-based practice, inclusive teaching, universal design for learning, and effective communication strategies for children with complex communication and literacy needs. FOSTERING A COMMUNICATION-AFFIRMING CLASSROOM Learn steps towards the…
The Three Snow Bears (Speech Therapy Book Companion)
This unit is designed to accompany the story, “The Three Snow Bears” by Jan Brett. The activities in this unit are designed to foster language and articulation skills while also learning from a great picture book. The book is not included in this download. I highly recommend putting each section into a page…
Three Billy Goats Gruff (Speech Dynamic Assessment and RTI Unit)
A Speech/Language Dynamic Assessment and Response to Intervention Unit for children ages 4-6 or functioning at that language level. About: An effective assessment for English Language Learners (ELD) includes a Dynamic Assessment, including determining whether the student can learn new language skills as a level commensurate with other typical language learners. Additionally, as more…