Blogs

Overview

AAC Awareness Month 2021: Presume competence, always

At AssistiveWare, we make Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps. Still, there is far more to AAC than downloading an app to an iPad or printing out a communication board and sticking it to the wall. That’s why this AAC Awareness Month, we want to focus on one of the guiding principles of AAC - presuming competence.

3 minute read

AAC Awareness Month buzzwords illustration

AAC Awareness Month 2020: Exploring AAC buzzwords

To help us all get our heads around the common jargon we share, we have compiled a lists of over 20 AAC buzzwords. This compilation includes definitions of commonly used terms such as presume competence, modeling and attributing meaning. Each buzzword is clearly explained with some key tips and reminders. Share our buzzwords within your teams.

2 minute read

AAC and the power of language

Everyone communicates. Communicating with others gives us connection and control in our lives. There are many ways to communicate - with facial expressions, gestures, and words and sentences. A key factor in successful communication is having language. Language gives us the words and ways to share our own thoughts and ideas, desires, and wishes.

2 minute read

Getting started with Proloquo2Go

New to Proloquo2Go? Click here to learn more about setting up the app, core words, modeling, and more.

4 minute read

Moving from PECS to a communication device

Follow these recommendations to transition from PECS to a communication device.

5 minute read

An overview of the Do's and Don'ts of AAC

Implementing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is not easy so we created a poster and overview series of blog posts about the do's and don'ts of implementing AAC.

1 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Core words

AssistiveWare’s David Niemeijer and Jane Farrall teamed up on a Do’s and Don’ts of AAC Poster for International AAC Awareness Month. This blog explores one of the Do/Don’t pairs.

3 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!

3 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Access to AAC

AAC users should be able to say what they want, when they want, so they must have access to their AAC system all the time! The rest of the team also needs fast and instant access to the AAC system. How else will they model?

6 minute read

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!

3 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.

8 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

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