by admin | May 1, 2025 | Communication Partner Instruction, Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month and this year’s theme is “envisioning possibilities for the future.” This theme invites us to consider where have we come from and where we are going. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is...
by admin | Nov 11, 2024 | Communication Partner Instruction, Family Resources
In 2006, Sarah Blackstone wrote, “Being an effective communication partner or AAC facilitator is not intuitive. It often requires one to change long-established, unconscious ways of communicating” (p. 12). And changing habits can be hard! Does using your...
by admin | Oct 1, 2024 | Family Resources
Parents tell us that when they are out to eat, at the grocery store, and in other spaces in the community, others may approach them to ask about the AAC method that their child is using. Other times, people are timid or reluctant to approach families, but parents can...
by admin | Jul 20, 2024 | Family Fun, Tips & Tricks
It’s National Ice Cream Day and we’re thinking about making our favorite frozen treat, ice cream in a bag. No special equipment is required. With a couple of plastic zipper bags and 5 ingredients likely already in your kitchen, kids can shake milk into ice...
by admin | Aug 28, 2023 | Family Fun, Tips & Tricks
School’s back in session and kids are on the playground at recess and after school. You can still communicate outside with fast-moving children using a number of handy light-tech strategies. For the playground, we use a variety of strategies including yard...
by admin | Jul 3, 2023 | Family Fun, Tips & Tricks
Summer is officially here and your family is planning on some fun. Don’t let the splish splash and sunshine stop your child from sharing his or her ideas at the beach, pool, or even under the sprinkler. It can be hard to see a touch screen in the sun and...
by admin | May 17, 2023 | Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month and this year’s theme is Building a Strong Foundation. This theme has so much relevance to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)! How do we build strong foundations in AAC? By setting families up for...
by admin | Feb 14, 2023 | Communication Partner Instruction
If you’re using the SMoRRES® Training Program to educate families or school staff to model AAC, you already know that Controlled Practice and Feedback is Step 5. Indeed, in order for communication partners to learn a new skill, they often need practice. Perhaps...
by admin | Dec 4, 2022 | Family Fun, Tips & Tricks
The winter holidays are full of food, family and fun. Here are some ideas for including your AAC communicator in the kitchen. Core vocabulary is plentiful during cooking. Think about all of the things you “put in” “turn on,” “get,” and “open.” However...
by admin | Oct 20, 2022 | Family Fun, Tips & Tricks
Is your family planning on trick-or-treating this Halloween? If so, here are some tips and tricks to make sure your little ghoul or goblin has access to communication: If you live in Chicagoland like us, the weather on Halloween can be wet. Use a clear...
