05 Oct It’s AAC Awareness Month!
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
(AAC) Awareness Month
October is AAC Awareness Month, and what better way to kick off the month than to share helpful information and resources! For children with apraxia of speech, the inability to effectively communicate may lead to frustration, anxiety, and/or reduced self-confidence. We at Apraxia Kids have been supporters of the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) through the information we provide online and our ongoing community partnerships.
What is AAC?
AAC stands for “Augmentative and Alternative Communication” and essentially means helping someone communicate using any form of communication other than speech. Many people associate AAC with speech tablets, like an iPad. When speech is not adequate to achieve the child’s communicative purposes, a child must find a way to close any gaps (which is especially important as the child enters school). This may be through using sign language, picture books, or a speech tablet.
Apraxia Kids – Speech Tablets for Apraxia
We are also pleased to share with our families that our Speech Tablet Program Application is now available! Applications are due January 10, 2022.
Apraxia Kids is also offering the following webinar
FREE for the month of October!
AAC Strategies for Apraxia
Presented By: Marleah Herman-Umpleby, M.S., CCC-SLP and Stephanie Ekis, M.S., CCC-SLP
This session will provide 10 easy to implement suggestions for using AAC technology, and supports to encourage language and literacy growth in individuals with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The importance of social and meaningful interactions (and not just requests!), literacy development, curriculum supports and resources will all be discussed. Information and valuable tools about being a great communication partner will also be shared to help families and teams provide optimal circumstances for growth, literacy and engagement. AAC does not have to be presented *instead* of use of natural speech for individuals with CAS. Watch this session to learn more about the benefits of using it as a part of a speech and language intervention program!
ARTICLES FROM THE APRAXIA KIDS FREE ARTICLE LIBRARY
”What About Sign Language, Speech Tablets, and Other Communication Forms?” is written by a diverse group of contributors and has a large amount of info about the use of sign language and a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication options including iPads and dedicated speech generating devices.
“Apps for Kids with Apraxia” includes a resource list of a variety of apps to use for specific needs of your child.
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/apraxia_kids_library/apps-for-kids-with-apraxia/
What apps should I use?
If you decide to use a tablet/iPad for a communication device, your SLP can likely suggest a few apps you can try! Apps should be used with therapist and/or parent supervision to support the child’s speech practice or assist them in their communication attempts. Some apps are for speech practice, while others are for providing an augmentative/alternative communication tool.
We collaborated with Penn State Health to put together a FREE App Guide to help you get started on your app search! Check it out here!
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/apraxia_kids_library/apps-for-kids-with-apraxia/
App Discounts
APP DISCOUNTS
Many app makers are offering discounts on their products during AAC Awareness Month this October. Keep your eyes out for sales on products that you’re interested in! Below are a few that have announced they will have upcoming sales. Please note that some of these sales or dates may change, and not all sales may be listed here. New apps and sales are frequently updated.
October 1-7, 2021
50% Discount on TouchChat products
TouchChat
Dialogue AAC
LAMP Words for Life
October 1-15, 2021
50% Discounts on Avaz Inc. products
Avaz AAC
MDA Avaz Reader
Avaz FreeSpeech
October 4-8, 2021
50% Discounts on CoughDrop products
October 5-9, 2021
50% Discounts on AssistiveWare products
Keeble
Pictello
Proloquo2Go
Proloquo4Text
Gateway Vocabulary
AAC Training Videos
October 5-9, 2021
50% off Choiceworks products
Choiceworks
Choiceworks Calendar
Choiceworks Bundle
October 2021
Discounts on some Attainment Company products
GoTalk Now
GoTalk Now Lite
October 2021
Discounts on some Predictable products
ChaAable
Predictable
VocaTempo
Scene & Heard
Other AAC Options
AAC just means you are communicating in a way other than speech. That doesn’t mean you need the fanciest iPad or most expensive app. You can also use sign language or picture cards.
PrAACtical AAC
Tips, resources, and free downloads
https://praacticalaac.org/
Amy Speech & Language Therapy, Inc.
Free AAC Downloads
https://www.amyspeechlanguagetherapy.com/communication-boards.html
School Health
Various AAC options for purchase
https://www.schoolhealth.com/all-products/special-education/augmentative-alternative-communication
Gallaudet University
Learn basic American Sign Language (ASL) online with free categorized videos
https://www.gallaudet.edu/asl-connect/asl-for-free/asl-by-topic
Together, we are working to help make the world a more accepting place for all children with apraxia of speech. While our vision is a world where all children with apraxia reach their highest communication potential, we must not lose sight of those children, teens, and adults who require the use of AAC to reach this potential. We must remember that everyone deserves a voice!
Disclaimer:
Aligned with our mission, Apraxia Kids does not endorse any one method, program, or approach. Rather, we share information so families and professionals can make informed choices for children with CAS as they work to find their voices.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
(AAC) Awareness Month
October is AAC Awareness Month, and what better way to kick off the month than to share helpful information and resources! For children with apraxia of speech, the inability to effectively communicate may lead to frustration, anxiety, and/or reduced self-confidence. We at Apraxia Kids have been supporters of the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) through the information we provide online and our ongoing community partnerships.
What is AAC?
AAC stands for “Augmentative and Alternative Communication” and essentially means helping someone communicate using any form of communication other than speech. Many people associate AAC with speech tablets, like an iPad. When speech is not adequate to achieve the child’s communicative purposes, a child must find a way to close any gaps (which is especially important as the child enters school). This may be through using sign language, picture books, or a speech tablet.
Apraxia Kids – Speech Tablets for Apraxia
We are also pleased to share with our families that our Speech Tablet Program Application is now available! Applications are due January 10, 2022.
Apraxia Kids is also offering the following webinar
FREE for the month of October!
AAC Strategies for Apraxia
Presented By: Marleah Herman-Umpleby, M.S., CCC-SLP and Stephanie Ekis, M.S., CCC-SLP
This session will provide 10 easy to implement suggestions for using AAC technology, and supports to encourage language and literacy growth in individuals with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The importance of social and meaningful interactions (and not just requests!), literacy development, curriculum supports and resources will all be discussed. Information and valuable tools about being a great communication partner will also be shared to help families and teams provide optimal circumstances for growth, literacy and engagement. AAC does not have to be presented *instead* of use of natural speech for individuals with CAS. Watch this session to learn more about the benefits of using it as a part of a speech and language intervention program!
ARTICLES FROM THE APRAXIA KIDS FREE ARTICLE LIBRARY
”What About Sign Language, Speech Tablets, and Other Communication Forms?” is written by a diverse group of contributors and has a large amount of info about the use of sign language and a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication options including iPads and dedicated speech generating devices.
“Apps for Kids with Apraxia” includes a resource list of a variety of apps to use for specific needs of your child.
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/apraxia_kids_library/apps-for-kids-with-apraxia/
What apps should I use?
If you decide to use a tablet/iPad for a communication device, your SLP can likely suggest a few apps you can try! Apps should be used with therapist and/or parent supervision to support the child’s speech practice or assist them in their communication attempts. Some apps are for speech practice, while others are for providing an augmentative/alternative communication tool.
We collaborated with Penn State Health to put together a FREE App Guide to help you get started on your app search! Check it out here!
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/apraxia_kids_library/apps-for-kids-with-apraxia/
App Discounts
APP DISCOUNTS
Many app makers are offering discounts on their products during AAC Awareness Month this October. Keep your eyes out for sales on products that you’re interested in! Below are a few that have announced they will have upcoming sales. Please note that some of these sales or dates may change, and not all sales may be listed here. New apps and sales are frequently updated.
October 1-7, 2021
50% Discount on TouchChat products
TouchChat
Dialogue AAC
LAMP Words for Life
October 1-15, 2021
50% Discounts on Avaz Inc. products
Avaz AAC
MDA Avaz Reader
Avaz FreeSpeech
October 4-8, 2021
50% Discounts on CoughDrop products
October 5-9, 2021
50% Discounts on AssistiveWare products
Keeble
Pictello
Proloquo2Go
Proloquo4Text
Gateway Vocabulary
AAC Training Videos
October 5-9, 2021
50% off Choiceworks products
Choiceworks
Choiceworks Calendar
Choiceworks Bundle
October 2021
Discounts on some Attainment Company products
GoTalk Now
GoTalk Now Lite
October 2021
Discounts on some Predictable products
ChaAable
Predictable
VocaTempo
Scene & Heard
Other AAC Options
AAC just means you are communicating in a way other than speech. That doesn’t mean you need the fanciest iPad or most expensive app. You can also use sign language or picture cards.
PrAACtical AAC
Tips, resources, and free downloads
https://praacticalaac.org/
Amy Speech & Language Therapy, Inc.
Free AAC Downloads
https://www.amyspeechlanguagetherapy.com/communication-boards.html
School Health
Various AAC options for purchase
https://www.schoolhealth.com/all-products/special-education/augmentative-alternative-communication
Gallaudet University
Learn basic American Sign Language (ASL) online with free categorized videos
https://www.gallaudet.edu/asl-connect/asl-for-free/asl-by-topic
Together, we are working to help make the world a more accepting place for all children with apraxia of speech. While our vision is a world where all children with apraxia reach their highest communication potential, we must not lose sight of those children, teens, and adults who require the use of AAC to reach this potential. We must remember that everyone deserves a voice!
Disclaimer:
Aligned with our mission, Apraxia Kids does not endorse any one method, program, or approach. Rather, we share information so families and professionals can make informed choices for children with CAS as they work to find their voices.
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