Blogs - AssistiveWare

Overview

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Multimodal communication

We all use many different ways to communicate. Often AAC users will use the fastest and most efficient means of communication available to them in the moment. Respect every mode of communication, as they all play a part in becoming effective communicators!

2 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Use the AAC system

We can all understand the concept that AAC users may not learn how to effectively use their AAC system for communication if they do not see it used regularly and reliably by others in their world. The best way that we can support our AAC user is the use the AAC system to talk yourself!

2 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Questions

Are your questions open or closed? In any environment where questions occur naturally, like in classrooms, it is essential that open-ended questions are used for AAC users. It allows language to be modeled and gives AAC users the opportunity to learn to say what they think and feel.

7 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Modeling

The best practice for teaching AAC is modeling or Aided Language Stimulation. What are the key concepts when modeling? What can we do? What should we not do?

5 minute read

Augmentative and Alternative Communication on iOS: Survey Results

In this blog post, we share the results of a 2012 exploratory survey we conducted together with professors from the University of San Diego and the California State University at San Marcos.

5 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Wait time

Providing enough time to people who use AAC is very important, as using AAC to communicate takes time. We as communication partners need to provide enough of it for the person using AAC to claim their turn in the conversation, to process what was said and what they want to say and then compose their message.

4 minute read

Loving literacy

AssistiveWare’s Amanda, a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years experience working in schools and with families and as a technology consultant, shares her tips for literacy instruction for an AAC user.

5 minute read

Teaching with core words - two people using AAC to communicate

Teaching with core words: building blocks for communication

Core words make up the majority of everything we say. AAC systems use core words to allow non-speaking people to communicate. Read on to learn more on how to teach core words.

7 minute read

Developing apps for ALS: My personal journey

When I was about 10 years old I met a young woman, a friend of a family friend, who told exciting stories about sailing around the world with her French boyfriend. They were living the kind of life that most people only dream of. Ten years later I found out from my parents that her boyfriend, this adventurous man that used to sail the seas, had an incurable disease.

6 minute read

Lisa talking to Hunter who wears a Micky Mouse hat

Just an ordinary day

Lisa is a single mum and has a 6-year-old son called Hunter. Lisa lost her speech when she was a child. Just as so many others, she takes her son to school and then goes to university for her Business study.

1 minute read

Finding her own voice - Vanessa part 2

This is the second time we filmed Vanessa, who is diagnosed with autism and now 4 years old. Since then, her confidence level has grown, and she is approaching other children using the app.

1 minute read