Teens Shy to use AAC in Public? Check out Selena Gomez!

To all of you out there struggling to learn and teach the use of dynamic devices for AAC:

Here is a must-see for any hesitant users that are teens and think it is “uncool” to use a Dynavox – Selena Gomez of Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” just blew that theory all to pieces – check out this video – gave me goose bumps to see a device used conversationally – from the Dynavox Website.
Dynavox used by Selena Gomez video
Here are more videos of successful users by health diagnosis category.
Thanks to all of you that are helping kids communicate everyday!

All the best,
Lon

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Wii Therapy, AIM, AAC and Everything in Between: Welcome Back!

I have taken a huge bit of the summer to be offline and rest, spend time with family, etc. I am excited to get back to writing and bring posts that will encourage and stimulate your creative juices. We just returned from a great trip to Toronto and now - back to it!

With Labor Day is behind us, it is time for gearing up towards goals for children and for me, pressing onwards to new goals in my knowledge and professional development. I know that we are being told that stimulus funds are available for AT and I am writing and developing recommendations for items for Autism and AT for our districts. I will have to share them and get your feedback.
I am on a state AIM committee that is working on our implementation of print diability materials in a timely manner and will be developing our protcols for requests and connecting teachers and students with materials, knowing qualifications for access, etc.
My biggest surprise in the projects I have been involved in has been the interest in the Wii as therapy. We tested it out last spring and it seemed very successful. I am going to an ECSE classroom today to work with some children for their motor skill activity time. We have two local TV networks that are working on stories on what we are doing and we are continuing to develop our data collection sheets this fall and fine-tune things. I am working on developing some overlays with speech devices to incorporate with the Wii therapy so we can develop some communication goal work alongside the motor work as well.
I stumbled across some new successes using neuro-feedback for dyslexia with great results. The doctor that has been doing this work has agreed to an interview and so I will be writing about this and setting up a time this fall for him to share what they are doing with you.
There is so much to do and so little time. Just take a deep breath and remember to pursue the things that give you joy. Those will being about your greatest success...
Have a great fall and do great things out there!

All the best to you,
Lon



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Dynavox has Merged with Blink Twice!

Industry Leaders have Joined Forces to Better Serve Individuals with Speech, Language and Learning Disabilities.

DynaVox Mayer-Johnson has announced they have merged with Blink Twice, effective today, July 6, 2009. DynaVox and Blink Twice are now one company with the broadest range of products in the industry.

Here is the infomation I received today:

"DynaVox is the leading provider of symbol-based communication software and speech generating devices for children and adults with speech, language and learning disabilities. Blink Twice is the developer of the Tango, an innovative, synthesized symbol-based communication device designed primarily for children and teens. Today's merger reinforces our joint commitment to providing the appropriate communication solution for each client's unique needs.
DynaVox recognizes that augmented communicators have different needs, and our goal is to offer the right product to best meet the needs of each individual. DynaVox is excited to have the Tango as part of its product offering. We admire the innovative approach that Blink Twice has taken towards creating an easy to access, aesthetically pleasing device, along with engaging symbols and voices which are particularly appealing to children and teens.

For more information about the Tango, please visit the DynaVox Website at dynavoxtech.com.

Sales, support and manufacturing activities for the Tango will be integrated into DynaVox, with all key employees of Blink Twice joining the DynaVox team. With the Tango as part of the DynaVox family, customers will enjoy the benefits of DynaVox's industry leading support capabilities - what we like to call the DynaVox Difference. Tango customers will now benefit from:
• Increased local support through our team of over 100 North American Sales Consultants - find yours online at dynavoxtech.com
• Enhanced technical support coverage, now provided by the DynaVox Tech Support team, from 8 AM to 7 PM Eastern time. 866-DYNAVOX (396-2869)
• Expedited and accurate management of the reimbursement process, with the DynaVox Funding Team handling all Medicaid, Medicare, and insurance processing.
• Tango's inclusion in the DynaVox DREAM and rental programs.
• High quality manufacturing and the DynaCare service you've come to expect from DynaVox.

Dynavox is ready to assist you with all of your needs for the Tango.
All new orders should now be placed with the DynaVox Customer Support Team at 866-DYNAVOX (396-2869).
They are also working to expedite the delivery of all Tango devices currently on order."

Full Press Release

All the best to you!

Lon



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A "Bug" in the System: AAC Care Tip to Save You Money

I have to share a tip I found out about this week that could save you upwards of $1500 on repair costs on those expensive dynamic display touch screen AAC devices that are used for communication...
"This is the service/repair department. We have your device ready to send back. Could you call us for details on your repair?"
I had been given a mal-functioning touch screen AAC device from a high school that needed repairs for the second time on a USB port. I was glad it was done and called the service department back to find out what was up.
"Hello Mr. Thornburg. We have replaced a main board in the device. It looked new other than being dirty - more than what we could just clean. I wanted to let you know that we found what looked like roach legs and fecal matter behind the screen. Sometimes if a device isn't working properly and gets stored away in a closet, garage or basement in a box, it becomes the "home" for insects."
I was getting a little grossed out I have to say... "You are kidding me, right?"
"No" he replied. "We see a lot of damage to devices because of bug issues." He went on to say, "We are replacing the board free this time and the USB port is working fine, but we are making a note of the bug issue and the free replacement. If it gets returned again and has the same issue, we will have to charge for the replacement of the board and labor which will run about $1600.00."
"Wow. I think this device is getting stored in a snap lid box from now on. Thanks for the free repair and the word of warning."
I called a different AAC device company's rep and asked if this was a common issue. I was cautioned that although it is not probably an issue for actively used devices, that folks store them away not thinking and the little vents and holes can become an inviting "hotel for insects".
"Be careful though about reporting that this is a common issue because it just can be another factor to cause folks looking at AAC devices to decide against them." the rep advised me. "A post about this could be helpful though just to help people be more aware and care for their devices."

So...there you have it. Who would have known? I guess our repeated repair had a literal bug in the system. I have visited the classroom where this device resides many times and it is a very clean room and a neat and tidy environment. I don't have any ideas about how this could have happened except that the OT that works with the student told me that the device doesn't go home with the student in the summer. "It gets locked up at school through the summer months." I was told. There could be our issue. If you have these type of devices stored away for the summer months you might want to re-think your storage strategies.
I will be advising all our AAC device owners to get a snap lid storage box to put the whole device, charger and case in when not in use. I don't want to see a $1600 dollar repair bill next time and maybe this advice will help you avoid a costly repair bill as well.

All the best to you!
Lon



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Rocketry with AAC

3...2...1...Lift-off!

I have been "in the trenches" over the past week or so and also off to some great trainings, one on transitioning and building social capital for students and a state meeting on implementing accessible print materials. BUT...in between all this I have been building pages for a Dynavox VMax for a rocketry project with 2 of our non-verbal students. We video-taped one student last week and I will be doing another this week and next.

I built several pages, one branching off a science class page with 3 button/folders:1.) Rocket parts 2.) Building the rocket and 3.) Launching the rocket. I used a digital camera and took pictures of the parts in the package and made buttons for the main ones. I purchased a rocket kit with some pre-assembled parts so it only took about 15 minutes to build. I also took pictures of hands doing the assembly pieces and the actual launching. We even made a countdown page with 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, lift-off buttons.

Since we are using a speech output device, I am having the student using the device work with an assistant and use the device to tell the partner what items to get, and what they will do next, clear through the launch. What an exciting way to build involvement and motivation to use AAC. The student has been practicing where all the boards and buttons are. It should be great fun! I am looking forward to a sunny afternoon launch out on the football field soon!

All the best to you...

Lon

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AAC Featured on NBC's "The Today Show"

I received this email from Dynavox today on some AAC exposure on the NBC Today Show:

"Today, March 30, AAC solutions will be highlighted on NBC's Today Show. The segment features Augie Nieto, vice president and co-chairman of the ALS division of the MDA and founder of Augie's Quest, who was diagnosed with ALS almost four years ago. Augie will be communicating in the segment with a DynaVox EyeMax System. In addition, we expect the segment to discuss how AAC solutions can help people with many different conditions, including autism, Down syndrome, stroke, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injury. It will be a great introduction for anyone who knows an individual who is struggling with communication.

Augie's segment is scheduled to air between 8:30 - 9:00 AM. We hope that you will be able to watch it live or set your DVR to view it later.Later on Monday, you will find a page on the DynaVox web site with a link to the Today Show video and other information that will be of interest to those new to AAC. Please feel free to forward this on to any families, SLPs, teachers or others that might be interested. "

I will link to the video and more info when it comes out later today,

All the best to you!
Lon




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Build Your Own Free AAC with Foretype, Natural Reader and Win XP

"What free programs for text readers come with word prediction?" a special education teacher asked on an email yesterday.
I had to answer that I didn't know of any off-hand, but that got me thinking, and so I thought I would spend some time researching what was available. One free shareware program stood out - Foretype. It utilizes Microsoft Word's Autotext capabilities to let you design abbreviations easily for your own quick words and phrases. Add a text to speech tool like the free version of Natural Reader, and you have a free AAC communicator right on a Word document - running on codes and abbreviations, which saves energy on typing.

Here's what I did:
I built some custom shorthand abbreviations for comments I wanted to make within the easy Autotext engine that comes with Foretype. You enter your abbreviation shortcut and in another window you enter the text you want it to type. You can also just write and use their word prediction. It doesn't come up as much as I would like, but definitely is nice with phrases, signatures, etc. you build in.
I tried: brb=be right back, nhp=I need help please, ml=maybe later.
I opened the miniboard in Natural Reader on my screen, and as I wrote the shortcuts, I pressed "enter" for the real text when it appeared in the box. Then the real text would be on the page. I highlighted text and pressed play on the toolbar and it said my phrase.
That's all there was to it!

Some limitations:
If you have someone who is orthopedically impaired, all the key shortcuts for highlighting text could be helpful as listed on Learnthat.com . There is the free Click n type on-screen keyboard that can do scanning that could be a possibility to get to the keyboarding piece with a switch or just the use of a mouse/trackball/trackpad. Because there is a lot of navigation for the speech part with the highlighting and pressing of play with the text to speech toolbar, it might be inappropriate for certain individuals. I also did not see a version for Vista or for Mac OS.

This combination is especially ideal for someone who has lost their voice and has partial to full use of their hands to do regular navigation on the screen to write and talk - and is experiencing a tight budget.

All the best to you,
Lon




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Using AAC to Make a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich (For the First Time!)

"I have a big project for us today." an SLP I have been training to use a Dynavox said, as I entered his work area Friday. We have been working with a Down's boy who has not responded to much in the way of communication strategies or anything on a computer so far. We have been hoping that a Dynavox Vmax might be the answer, but we have been trialing the software version on a computer first and trying activities to see whether it would be an option.

"I want us to use the software on the computer to have him make a sandwich. We have a volunteer boy, a friend, that will come in to receive directions. I have the bread, a butter knife, plate, peanut butter and jelly. I need you to help me make up a page with all the buttons ready for him to use to tell us what we need and how to make it. Do you think we can do that?"

I was all for it. There was motivation with the food (what middle school boy doesn't want food 24/7? There was purpose - make the sandwich - and a friend to tell how to make it.

In the past, we had shown this student the computer and the boards and customized buttons but he would click on them a little and then get bored.

"OK," I said, "let's do it!"

We set up a 6 button page and put the symbols knife, plate, bread, peanut butter, and jelly on it. We tested it and the voice was fine - everything seemed ready. Our student's friend came in to help and the SLP had them clean off the table and then prepared the student, we'll call him Juan for easier reference, so Juan could see the button of the home kitchen, lunch and then the sandwich choice.

"Here are some things you need to make a sandwich Juan. Would you like to make one today?"

"Se," said Juan (he has a small vocabulary he uses.)

While they looked at the screen, Juan was asked to say which thing we needed first. He looked at the buttons and pointed to the plate. (We had never seen him interact quite like this before.)

"Say plate Juan," said the SLP. Juan turned to try and say plate to his friend but he couldn't say it.

"Use the mouse and click on the plate - say it with the computer." said the SLP.

Juan clicked on the plate button..."Plate," it said. He smiled. We cheered.

This went on through each item. Juan's friend would get each thing and bring it to the table and we would ask Juan, "Did he bring the right thing?"

"Se," Juan would say and smile - you could see his wheels turning inside. Someone was following what he said when he gave directions with the buttons.

Once everything was ready, we had Juan use the buttons again to tell his friend what to do: Get out what? The bread. What do you spread things with? The knife. What do you spread? Spread the peanut butter, spread the jam, put the bread together - we didn't have a button for this but Juan folded his hands together to show putting it together!

As they worked through the process, now and then Juan would get excited and say, "Go Tyler, go!" Then they cut it in half.

"Now you get to enjoy your sandwich. You worked hard for that sandwich," said the SLP.

They both sat and munched. You could see a sense of pride and new awareness in Juan's demeanor as he ate. He looked and acted very grown up. This was his sandwich and he had been able to use his own system of communication to guide someone to make it.

It was one small step - just a simple sandwich - but yet it was a giant step for this young man - the door is open and he has the world ahead of him - just you wait and see!

All the best to you!

Lon

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Assistive Technology Implementation: Keep it Simple!

Do you ever get dragged down in the mire of trying to think out each step of how to successfully implement assistive technology? Do you get into the "detail-itis" until it grows into a formidable project that you just aren't implementing well at all? Join the club!

I had a huge "Ah-ha" moment today and I want to tell you about it...
An SLP, a sped teacher and myself have been working on finding the right augmentative communication device for a middle school student. Last spring we trialed one make and model and are in the process of getting a trial kicked into gear on another. We have the software for the dynamic display device on a computer for the student to practice on until we get the real one for a 2 week loan. The problem has been that between all three of us as specialists, we have been trying to learn the software, get digital pictures on it of teachers, places around the school, etc. and find meaningful activities to practice with and see how the student responds. He is of regular cognitive ability, just has a real pronunciation and a language processing problem.
With tight schedules to work with, winter storms and closed schools before the holidays and the the holiday break, we had yet to get the student on the computer to explore the software.
Today the SLP and I sat at the computer and debated on how many folders were on the screen, how complicated it could be and confusing for him, etc. Finally, I said, "I would just like to simplify this whole process and let the student explore and look around the software awhile with me today. We are spinning our gears and making this whole thing too complicated. He can't drag this desktop computer around anywhere, so it can't be a real portable communication device for socialization in the lunchroom, etc. Let's wait until we get the real one to put some pictures and topics on. We have just got to bite the bullet and jump in - sink or swim!"
Even though the SLP agreed, she was still nervous that the student would just click around randomly on everything and not really accomplish anything. I re-assured her I would guide him
in his exploration and see what he could do. I wasn't upset with anyone and I wasn't frustrated, I was just feeling like I had been procrastinating and using "getting it right" as an excuse to not dive in where I was in unfamiliar territory. My message to you is - when you get that feeling, it is time to dive in!
So...enter the student.
We have worked together for several years and I have supported various SLP's in Elementary and now middle school that have worked with him. He is so ready for and wants a device. He has been very patient but is very motivated to communicate right now. He and I get along great and he had decided last summer that he wanted to try this new device out this year. I just felt bad that it had taken us until now to start. He sat down and I showed him the general main screen board and where it linked, how to write a sentence with the icon buttons and then click to hear it. He got excited.
We went to panels that were scenes: a classroom, a fast food restaurant, etc.
It was almost lunchtime and he began to build a sentence. "I want a hamburger." He looked at me and smiled. "I want a cheeseburger, chicken strips, pizza, pickles..."
"You must be VERY hungry!" I said. He laughed.
He checked out sizes of drinks and asked for a small drink icon and fries after it in the sentence strip, meaning a small fry. He wanted me to help him get small and large size buttons on the food menu page so he didn't have to use the cup size buttons. We set up the sizes in the foods and he was able to order sizes he wanted and build the requests.
By the time he was ready to go to lunch, he had made sense out of several of the boards, found things he wanted, was frustrated because some of the buttons didn't have the speech activated, and had me set the behaviors on them to speak the label. He watched me and by the last few, he was even doing the programming! (That says something about the software too - it was Series 5 semester ware for the V and Vmax from Dynavox.)
Do you think I felt like I shouldn't have jumped in today? No way! It was a huge success. By letting go of the fear of the unfamiliar and exploring with the student, I learned about him, the software and his potential. I found out that he can do much more than we give him credit for. He learned about me and how I can partner with him to get the most out of the device and I learned something about me too today - keep it simple and dive in. Kids are more flexible than we think and they survive more of our idiosynchrasies than we would ever wish to admit.

All the best to you!
Lon



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Thankful for New, Exciting Happenings with No Limits 2 Learning

Since it is Thanksgiving weekend here in the United States, I thought I would share with you how thankful I am for YOU as readers. I have enjoyed a wonderful year as I have started on this journey after my stroke and rehabilitation. I never thought that my passion and energy for this blog, a site and AT information would lead as far as it has. I have worked hard to write informative and personal posts and I thank all of you that are regular readers. You are appreciated for all that you do to meet the needs of those with disabilities.
I shared that I had some BIG news, well, there are two items:
Don Johnston will be my guest on No Limits 2 Learning Live, next Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 2:00 PM Pacific time, to talk about his book, Building Wings and student self-advocacy issues. I am thrilled to have this opportunity! More to come as it approaches next week.
FCTD Newsletter for October/Discussion for December:
I will be co-moderating for the Family Center on Technology and Disability - a site sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Education, on school-family partnerships and child advocacy for the month of December. The Discussion thread won't be up on their site until Dec. 1, but you can go there to read and comment towards the discussion if you want. You don't have to create an account, make up a name, etc. if you don't want to. You can read and comment without it. I will have links and more information on it next week.
I am also thankful for the FCTD October newsletter which featured myself and the issues surrounding accommodations and modifications for students, access to curriculum and AT in the General Ed classroom. If you didn't get to read it, you might want to check it out.
AAC gets an Open Door:
I have had quite a few open doors lately as we push for AAC in our districts. We have been laying a foundation for about 3 years for the acceptance and support of the implementation of dynamic devices for eligible students and we are finally seeing some major breakthroughs. I am so thankful that we are beginning to see the floodgates open and students that need these devices get them in their hands. This is making it an especially meaningful Thanksgiving for me. I am working on sharing the steps and approach we followed to get this to happen. I will share it with you and if your AAC program is stalling or floundering, maybe there will be some items we share that will help you get this going too.

I hope you have a great rest of your week and a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Lon



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AAC Single Message Switch Activities for Early Special Needs Learners, Part One

When it comes to working with Early Learners in pre-school who are low or non-communicators, a Big Mack single message device is great for encouraging speech and words through simple games and activities. Whether it is at the art table, the book center, with manipulatives or circle time, try some of the activities in this series to get your students engaged and talking. The Big Mack has a bright colored 5 inch target switch plate for making choices, requests and hearing all kinds information you want to record.

Along with this, you can begin to encourage self-accommodation even among these little ones by having communication devices and switch accessible games, books and activities in places for easy access and play. By doing this, you are encouraging a UDL approach to access in the classroom. You will find that students with disbailities that need these tools will gravitate to them and use them if they have played with them, are comfortable with them and know they are available.

We received a grant from a local casino/gaming foundation to purchase assistive equipment, which included one Big Mack and one Cheap Talk 6 level communication device for all of our Early Learning Centers. I took a Big Mack to one of our Early Learning centers last week to begin to demonstrate some things that can be done with it. I spent time with several students at the art table and at the reading center, where the students were intrigued and eager to use the switch. I will be going around to all our centers to play with the students using this device and modeling ideas for staff.

Choice and requesting activity:

I set the switch out on the art table and immediately the students wanted to know what it was and how it worked. I asked them what color they liked out of the marker tub and one of the children pulled out a blue. I pressed the top and side record button and said, "Blue please." I then pressed the switch and it said, "Blue please." They grinned ear to ear.

" You try it." I handed the switch to the little girl that picked out the blue. She hit the switch and when it asked for the blue, I handed her the marker. She made the connection and grabbed another pen, pink this time.

"Pink Please" I said into the device.

"Here you go" I said as I handed her the device.

"Pink Please" she said, using the device as her voice.

I handed her the pink.

This started a whole session of picking pen colors, recording and requestng by the three children at the art table. I would use this for students to pick chalk colors at the chalkboard, plastic animals, pots and pans and food in the kitchen play area, numbers of unifix cubes, etc. The sky is the limit and students really get the idea of associating the use of the device for various activities and tasks in their day.

Tomorrow I will share on some literacy activities from the book corner and circle time ideas.

All the best to you!

Lon

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Simplified Technology is a Gift From Linda Burkhart

80 people sat at tables, each fastening wire to a cookie sheet. Lines of would-be solderers were waiting to solder wires to a mini-plug that would complete a home-made cookie sheet switch with a large bolt on a wire. When the switch was plugged into a Powerlink latch/timer, and a radio (in our case) was plugged into the power, the contact of the metal bolt with the metal sheet created a circuit that made the radio play. We used open file folders trimmed to the size of the sheet as "stencils" to cut out tracing patterns for the kids to practice letters, mazes, any kind of fine motor and hand/eye coordination activities. The reward...music, a toy, or something that would be a response - as long as they stayed within the lines.
Even though I attended this workshop 2 years ago, I still use my cookie sheet switch. In fact, I demonstrated it to a group of early intervention and early childhood sped teachers last week and several were writing down the parts they needed to make one.
Attending one of Linda's workshops is an adventure in creating wonderful things out of everyday junk-drawer items. She uses sponges, pvc, cottage cheese containers, battery fans from the dollar store, foam place mats and velcro to create games and activities that really engage kids.
Linda has a long history as a therapist who integrated low tech and switch access to develop cause and effect games and activities. She has logged hours of video to show case histories and examples of her work with children and how she found the spark that triggered a reaction that gave a foothold for developing communication.
On "Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs", one of my favorite blogs, there was a post today on low tech eye gaze and mounting. There were some great resources there and it jogged my memory about Linda's workshop. We had built a pvc eye gaze stand that day as well, and I have it in my equipment closet. It is nice because it can break apart easily to tote with you for sessions with students and it is inexpensive to build. I will have to look for the plans or create my own from the stand so you can make one. We also made a pvc frame to wrap around a laptop base with a flat cover over the laptop so you can velcro switches to it and use them with cause and effect activites. The cover hides all the keys and buttons from children with wandering fingers.
I would go to see Linda's workshops again in a heartbeat. She has been a pioneer in switch access and has several software activities she designed in the Intellitools Classroom Suite package with overlays for the Intellikeys board. Check out her site, Simplified Technology, and look through the make it yourself and handouts area. It is full of free resources. You should also check through her books and resources for sale. I have a couple of CD's I bought that are absolutely packed with activities and guides to make and use them. Her wealth of knowledge, compassion for special needs kids and her resources online are a gift to us. If you haven 't discovered her services and resources, it is high-time you did!

All the best to you,

Lon




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A Closer Look at the Dynavox InterACCT System

Yesterday I had a great interview with Linnea McAfoose from Dynavox. She shared on the InterACCT system that is the foundation of the Series 5 software on their AAC devices. I made the comment on yesterday's blog that I thought they sold the software for laptops as a stand-alone item, but they don't. Through some comments and emails, I was alerted to my error - I stand corrected. I am so glad some of you took the time to inform me. It is nice to hear from folks and get your input on things. You can get a trial CD with the full version on a 180 day expiration through a Dynavox representative. I would suggest going to their website: http://www.dynavoxtech.com/ to find out who a representative in your area would be.

During the interview Linnea clearly shared her passion about communication development and language growth with students. I asked a couple of hard questions: "Why did you choose Dynavox?" "Being an expert, what is your conviction as to why you chose to work with the Dynavox system? What reasons do you have that support the Dynavox AAC over other devices?"
Linnea shared that the software on the devices has been developed in conjunction with researchers and groups that use devices and know what really needs to be there. She also said that the team that designed the new software had let themselves dream big as to what they would want if they could "have it all" in a high-end AAC device. They wanted to be able to make the system easily understandable and quickly accessible - not something that is always possible with technologies today.
The way that a beginner is taught to use an AAC device has just as much to do with the success of the device as the bells and whistles and elements in the system contained in the device.
Linnea stressed that we use age-appropriate content and situations to teach and use the device. There are over 2000 new vocabulary words added to a child's vocabulary each year at school and at home in the k through grade 12 years. This includes curriculum content and new trends, pop culture terms and other words that crop up in daily life as well. Trying to keep up with this is a challenge in using an AAC device, but the company is striving to work on developing a way to include this element through the InterACCT system.

The interview with Linnea is crammed full of good concepts on developing language with a device and I would recommend listening to the archive. You can access this segment on the No Limits 2 Learning live player on the sidebar of my blog or at the Blog Talk Radio Site for the show.

All the best to you!
Lon



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Options for Using a Latop for AAC

I get email questions from time to time. Folks ask a variety of questions concerning equipment, software and AT evaluations, advocacy, etc. I recently received a question that I felt might be good to share with everyone:

"What software can you purchase that would make the laptop function similarly to the Dynavox. So far, we're interested in Speaking Dynamically Pro. What do you think of this program and do you have any other suggestions?"

Great question! With the prices on dynamic display devices upwards to $7000, using a laptop can be an alternative. I have used laptops with Boardmaker Speaking Dynamically Pro, and it has a lot of potential. There is a lot of work that has to be put into building the communication sets/pages you want - but it can be done. A lot of thought and planning go into the software that comes loaded on devices and you can get ideas off of demo software and Internet sites to spark your own ideas with SDP. The program is about $649.
Dynavox sells its Series 5 software to load on a laptop. This gives you a chance to demo the whole system on the Dynavox devices on your laptop to get a feel for how it works. I got a free trial CD from our Oregon state representative from Dynavox. You might want to give the trial a try and see what you think. Also, if you do get the Boardmaker SDP, there is a CD called Velocity for about $399 that has sets ready to go - but you have to use the SDP with it and by the time you get the SDP @ $649 and the Velocity at $350 - you are in the $1000 range - maybe the Dynavox System 5 software is comporable.
Another thing to think about is that Dynavox has the Boardmaker Bridge that allows you to add sets you build with the SDP onto a Dynavox V Series. Since Mayer Johnson (which makes the Boardmaker products) and Dynavox are the same company now, there have been efforts to blend the devices with the software tools to provide a complete package. This effort has seemed to pay off. There are some great tools available through this company.

I have built speech device style branching topics with PowerPoint, although there is no way to access the choices other than a mouse. There is no scanning to make choices in PowerPoint. I am working on some basic communication pages with Powerpoint to provide in the future so check in for more on that as I get them put together. I have a video tutorial on how to assign sound and set up the basics of a communication board on the link above. You might want to check that out.
There really is no substitute for a dynamic display device, but if you are up to the challenge of building your own communication pages on a laptop to save money, it can be done.

All the best to you!
Lon




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How Early Should Children Jump into High-end AAC Devices?

Pennsylania State University is conducting a Research Project on Improving AAC Technologies for Young Children with Significant Communication Disorders.
The purpose is to respond to the urgent need for improved AAC technologies and instructional methodologies that meet the needs of toddlers and young children with significant communication disorders.
Principal investigator, Janice Light Ph.D. and c0-investigator, Kathy Drager PH.D. have been sharing their findings on AAC-RERC. In reading through the most recent findings, it was found that 4 an 5 year-olds did better at developing vocabulary and concrete language when using a dynamic display device vs. an iconic encoding method. (Read the highlights of the on-going study here).
This raises some questions in my mind that we need to ask ourselves: At what age should we start a child on AAC? What prerequisite skills should be in place-or-do they need to be there at all before a device is introduced? How do we shift our thinking to get AAC in the hands of early learners with communication disorders as early as possible?
We live in an educational landscape where price tags are scary to administrators. If we can overcome the cost barrier by establishing concrete funding options that take that load off districts, then we have a foundational platform to discuss providing AAC at an early age so we develop solid language users out of our communication-impaired student population.
I am working on establishing this platform in our districts. I want to be careful that I am not promoting one company in the device that is selected, but give several vendors opportunities to trial devices. The important thing is to have the conversation move from taboo to welcome when it comes to AAC use in our early learning and elementary school populations.
I would urge you to look over the report and have conversations with your SLP's and administrators on supporting a shift towards applying AAC for our learners that will need it at as early an age as possible.

All the best to you!
Lon

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AAC-RERC Goldmine of Free Multi Media Delivered Training on AAC

Janice Light, Ph.D shares free video webcast on AAC & Literacy

Monday I interviewed Kristin Whitfield from Dynavox on language and literacy. She mentioned the research of Janice Light Ph.D. at Penn State University and so I did a Google search and found the AAC-RERC site which is dedicated to advancing AAC use for those with impairments and to be a network of research, training and information through webcasts.

I found a webcast by Janice Light on Literacy and AAC that is a free video webcast and also has downloadable handouts.

I am excited to find this resource and pass it along. If you are interested in connecting with some nice training on AAC, this will be a place you will want to bookmark. I have put it on my Delicious AT Bookmarks.

All the best to you!

Lon

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HIghlights from Whitfield Interview Raise Interesting Questions

I had Kristin Whitfield from Dynavox as a guest yesterday on No Limits 2 Learning Live (see archive). During our conversation, we discussed some topics that raised some questions for me:
When do we introduce AAC to early learners with significant impairments in communication?
Do children REALLY need to have certain prerequisite skills before an AAC device is introduced?
How does research support the answers to these questions?
How do we move into getting AAC in the hands of toddlers and early learners as quickly as possible?
These questions and more were addressed in our interview and it spurred me on to some further research that I uncovered and am sharing the rest of this week on my blog. I hope you will check back daily as I piece together some sites, research, and further probes into these questions.
I have put together a pdf file of notes and links from Kristin's interview, that is available for you free here.
All the best to you!
Lon



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Education & AAC Implementation Expert on No Limits 2 Learning Live Segment Today

Language & Literacy: Kristin Whitfield on No Limits 2 Learning Live today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific

Do you know how to start a beginner out on an AAC device? Do you know how the Dynavox literacy program is built in to the device to foster reading as well as communication? Would like to know more on funding avenues for devices? What things do you need to consider in an AAC implementation process?
Find the answers to these questions and more this morning at 10 a.m. Pacfic, when Kristin Whitfield joins me for a half-hour of conversation. Kristin is the manager of the Education Development & Implementation Training department at Dynavox. She will be sharing on her experiences with AAC and tips for specialists, parents and users. If you have a question, go to the show link and call in with the caller number on the screen. The archive will be available here on the sidebar player after the show is over as well.
Hope you join us!
All the best to you...
Lon




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Building Language & Literacy: Kristin Whitfield to Share

"Why don't I just put you in touch with the expert?" was the response I got as I was asking our Oregon Dynavox representative to share on a podcast about some of the software and devices at the recent AT Summer Institiute on the Oregon Coast. I don't know about you, but I am always ready to talk to the expert, so Ellen Witham, who shared a few months ago on No Limits 2 Learning Live, my Blog Talk Radio show, put me in touch with Kristin Whitfield.
Kristin is the manager of the Education Development and Implementation Training department at DynaVoxMayer-Johnson. In addition to her clinical practice working with adults and children with AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), she has presented on the topic of AAC at local and national conferences and has had several articles appear in AAC publications.
Kristen will be my guest this next Monday, August 25 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time on No Limits 2 Learning Live.
I am excited to hear her share on several topics surrounding the assessment of where a beginner should start with AAC, the types of tools and techniques that are available to develop literacy and how to implement a new device. She has suggested some conversation about funding options as well.
If you are a parent or specialist looking for a device or exploring the option of AAC, this should be a very informative visit. Please go to the link above to listen to the live stream on Monday, or you can always pick up the segment on my sidebar player after the show. I will put a link and reminder on my Monday post as well.

All the best to you!
Lon



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Tango Rolls Out Tango to Literacy & Assessment Assistant

Patti King-DeBaun to host 2 free webinars on Tango to Literacy & Assessment Assistant July 22 & 24
The Tango, by Blink Twice is a great addition to the list of devices we have to choose from in the AT, speech and communication field. Its unique software, size and communication topics make it a popular choice by many for communication. I have heard some criticism of its ability to develop literacy, and now Blink Twice has an answer...Tango to Literacy (Here is a pdf flier).
Tango to Literacy contains educational materials for building literacy and language skills with the Tango. It focuses on the first 30 core words so students learn to use the core vocabulary, develop phonics and spelling skills as well as conversational competence.
It contains 6 lesson sets, six small printed stories that use the core vocabulary, CD with an "e-bookshelf and e versions of the 6 stories, core word playing cards, dry erase board and pens and sentence strip. The price is $149.
I have not personally seen or used the Tango to Literacy set yet, so I don't know how it addresses literacy in general, but it sounds like anyone who has purchased a Tango for a student, could use these materials to get the student using the built in core words and gain fluency with the Tango more quickly and effectively. I know that in the case of one student we purchased a Tango for, the SLP, special ed teacher and assistants worked with him to build stories and sequences that he wanted to say as well as being oriented on where the topics he would most use were located. I think a package of materials like Tango to Literacy would be a great help.
The Assessment Assistant is on a SD card that goes in the Tango and guides the user through the assessment steps.

Patti King-DeBaun will be hosting 2 free webinars to demonstrate the software tools she helped create. According to Tango, here is more information:

"Next week, Pati King-DeBaun, M.S. CCC-SLP, is hosting not one - but two - webinars! Completely free of charge, these interactive online lessons are hosted in real time. All you need is high-speed Internet and a phone and you're halfway there. She will discuss two fantastic new Blink Twice products that she helped create, Tango to Literacy and Assessment Assistant.
Developed in conjunction with Maureen Donnelly and Dr. Karen Erickson, Tango to Literacy is an innovative, integrated, and intuitive approach to teaching literacy. You'll see how students will work with the Tango's core vocabulary, develop phonics skills, and build language mastery. And you'll learn about all the fun extras!
Assessment Assistant is the perfect evaluation package for the Tango. It's an incredibly powerful tool designed to help professionals through the evaluation process, perfect for those who haven't done many assessments, or any at all. Assessment Assistant comes on an SD Card and even includes a guidebook so you can get familiar with it."

One participant will win a FREE Assessment Assistant. The webinars are scheduled for Tuesday, July 22nd at 10:00 EST and Thursday, July 24th at 2:00 EST. To register, simply click here. Or, visit blink-twice.com, and click on Sign Up for Training.! For those of you that can't make either of the webinars, they will be be recording the sessions so you can listen in any time. They'll be made available the following week at blink-twice.webex.com.
If you want to get in on these webinars you should register quickly because they are saying that space is limited.
Check out the link for a company pdf flier on these and other classroom tools.

All the best to you!
Lon

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