AAC Implementation Resources
Gail VanTatenhove
The following website is a list of free material created by an SLP with an extensive background in using dynamic display devices. Wordlists and device ideas are available.
Creator:
http://www.vantatenhove.com/materials.php
BoardMaker Share
This website allows you to create a free accout and then search for BoardMaker activities that can be downloaded and used. You must have the BoardMaker software loaded and disk inserted into your computer to open the downloads.
http://www.boardmakershare.com/default.aspx
Speaking of Speech
According to their website, " is an interactive forum for speech/language pathologists and teachers to improve communication skills in our schools All school-based speech/language pathologists are encouraged to contribute to this site's growing knowledge base." There are several AAC pre-made boards ready to download for free. You need to create an account. All boards are in pdf form so easily downloaded to any computer. Check it out at the link below.
http://www.speakingofspeech.com/Materials_Exchange.html
AAC Intervention
This website give several ideas on how to implement AAC from prompting techniques to classroom ideas. The "Tips and Tricks" section gives a wealth of ideas. Many suggestions are in PDF form so they can be downloaded and printed to give to staff and parents supporting the student. Take time to explore this site as it is appropriate for the multiply impaired to the high end device user.
http://aacintervention.com/
AAC-Rehab. Engineering Research Center
According to the website, "The AAC-RERC is a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center that functions as a collaborative research group dedicated to the development of effective AAC technology. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers to ways (other than speech) that are used to send a message from one person to another.
Research, webcasts and many more resources are available for staff to learn more.
http://aac-rerc.psu.edu/
Special Education Technology- British Columbia (SET-BC)
According to their website, "In 2007, SETBC struck a committee to develop a comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Device Curriculum which was intended to be the basis from which school districts could develop a Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) course. This would enable students to have the option of receiving high school credit for their AAC skill development. The belief was that comprehensive AAC device competency was essential for students to participate as fully as possible in their school program. Since AAC competencies are different from, and additional to, the competencies that speaking students must acquire to become effective communicators, it was believed that these competencies needed to be taught systematically and sequentially. Thus, it seemed helpful to provide a document that could be used as a provincial resource for supporting and teaching students with AAC needs in the educational system in British Columbia.
The AAC models of communicative competence by Janice Light and communication independence by Patricia Dowden, were used as a framework for offering a well-rounded AAC device language curriculum. The resulting course was broken into four levels or units which could be taken individually. In that way, those with already developed AAC skills could challenge any unit for credit.
www.setbc.org/resources/?_skills=communication
PODD Pragmatic Organization of Dynamic Displays
According to the Novita website, "
- PODD is a way of organising whole word and symbol vocabulary in a communication book or speech generating device to provide immersion and modelling for learning.
- The aim of a PODD is to provide vocabulary:
- for continuous communication all the time
- for a range of messages
- across a range of topics
- in multiple environments.
- PODDs can have different formats, depending on the individual physical, sensory and communication needs of the person who will use it.
PrAACtical AAC
This website developed by Robin Parker, SLP has many ideas for implementing AAC systems. According to the website, "One of her (Robin's) professional passions is spreading the word about PrAACtical AAC. “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." Helen Keller". If you need ideas and resources to implement AAC this is a great resource.
http://praacticalaac.org/praactical/praactically-new-success/