Speech Parent Training Sessions
As stated in #AACtip 51, it is important to have parents involvedin AAC implementation. While these #AACtips are not seen byparents, since parents are a crucial part of AAC success, we willlook at some tips that might be helpful for home. Thank you to CSS Speech Supervisor Jessica Kessler, M.S. Ed., M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD for helping to guide the direction of these home-related tips!
Using a device at home requires a change in the way a parent thinks and in the home routine. Having the student(and/or parent) carry the device from one place to another within the home (within reason), or out into the community, is its own skill (ownership)and may need to take precedence to any device implementation. It is also important for the student (or parent) to charge the device each evening. Daniel Adler M.S., CCC/SLP, TSSLD
The internet can be a great place to find information about AAC in general, support groups, and implementation strategies ... However, be mindful and think critically about what you read online and on social media regarding AAC use and implementation. There are many theories, but those posting online do not know your child or his/her circumstances.
You may want to check in with your child’s team before adjusting the AAC program or implementing new ideas. Open communication will be the best way to have everyone collaborating for your child’s success!
Pick a time when you would like to begin implementing device use at home. It maybe best to begin implementation within established routines, such as bedtime,reading a story, or mealtime... Pick one or two words to model within that routine, and practice those vocabulary words in advance. Initially, model the one or two words within your conversation without expecting a response from your child. You can also use low-tech communication boards to model words at home.
If you or your child become stressed, take a break from device use. Feel free to be in touch with your SLP and school team to discuss any frustrations and for other strategies to promote device use such as wait time, or for other ideas. Check out this great video of a mother discussingsome AAC tips related to home use.
Speech Parent Training Sessions
Welcome to the Speech Training section of the website
Please click on the links below to access a parent workshop. A new topic and workshop will be added each month.
And don’t forget to fill out the commenting section. It will help us add and change workshops based on what interests you!
- Building Language when Reading At Home
- Prompting
- Cooking With Your Child At Home
- Picky Eating & Autism – A Guide for Parents
- Game Playing
AAC Do’s & Don’ts
Need an engaging way to help communication partners understand some of the basics of interacting with students who use AAC? Check out this brief video from Daniel Adler and his SLP colleagues (with support from Jessica Kessler-Rizzo), all of whom work at New York public schools.
Many thanks to Daniel, Esther Adler, Kathryn D’Agostino Russo, Stavroula Economou, Liz Foehr, Alysha Kaufman, & Tiffany Marino for creating and sharing it and to all of the student actors who participated in this helpful video.
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