Embedded Files
1/31/22
Students need their own AAC iPad at home
NOW is the time to start working to get home AAC iPads for your students who are relying on a school device for communication. Students need their own AAC device over school breaks, during the summer, or if they move to another district. Once you know that a student can use AAC at school, it's time to get them their own!
Possible funding options include:
Ablenet Quicktalker Freestyle: a funding program that works with insurance to streamline the process of getting an AAC iPad funded. They send a trial device with ALL additional equipment necessary (keyguards, switches, etc), provide templates for letters of medical necessity, and support families and school SLPs from start to finish.
Medicaid: students who are covered by Medicaid can get one speech generating device every 2 years. School SLPs work with the family and case manager to get approval for an iPad, case, and AAC app.
Ben's Fund: Autistic students can apply for a grant through Ben's Fund to pay for an iPad, AAC app, and case. "We provide support to children and young adults with autism through financial assistance. From therapies to equipment, we support Washington families by easing some of the financial strain associated with autism. Ben’s Fund grants are available for up to $1,000 per qualifying child or young adult, per award year."
1/24/22 - AAC Modeling 101:
This 1-hour training is on many IEPs as a support for staff who work with students who use AAC to communicate.
It will be offered on the para training day (January 31st), during block 1 session 6. Please encourage your paras to attend, if they have not done this training yet!
You can also set up a time to do the training over zoom with your whole classroom. Fill out an AT Coaching Request and the AT team will schedule that with you.
1.10.22: Boardmaker 7 Editor update
Boardmaker 7 Editor will be deployed using the district Software Center.
Remember to be on district wifi when using the software center. You cannot do the update from home.
EVERYONE who uses Boardmaker needs to install this update.
Looking for evidence-based strategies to teach all students to read and write?
Looking for evidence-based strategies to teach all students to read and write?
You can still join the book study. Not only will you learn great strategies that you can immediately use and have some wonderful discussions with co:workers-you can earn complete a Professional Growth Plan and earn 25 extra clock hours!!
Email Heidi Brislin or Melissa Petersen to get a copy of the book sent to your work location.
Here is the information sheet that has all the specifics!
11/1/21
Useful SETC Webinar TOMORROW:
Coaching Communication with Sensory Seekers, November 2nd, 12-1pm.
REGISTER HERE to get the zoom link. FREE.
Learning Objectives:
Learn key coaching principles and techniques for adult learning as they relate to supporting AAC users
Identify and describe important elements for coaching sensory seekers such as device settings, gross motor and sensory considerations, and communication board vocabulary considerations.
Explore tools to use in your classroom to support sensory seekers.
10/18/21
BOOK STUDY starting soon: This book study for preschool, DK, and elementary IS staff will cover the new book Comprehensive Literacy for All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write. Join us on select Wednesdays (8:15am, 2:40pm, or 3:10pm) to review and discuss sections from this book and learn how to implement research based strategies for comprehensive literacy instruction (emergent and conventional) for your most significantly impacted students.
The book AND clock hours are provided. Together, we CAN teach every student the literacy skills they need to read and write. Email Melissa Petersen or Heidi Brislin to get a copy of the book. Our first meeting is November 10th!
10/11/21
6th Generation iPads: If you work with a *student* who still has a 6th generation iPad assigned to them (probably in a foam case), please contact Heidi Brislin so we can swap it out with a newer 8th generation iPad.
10/4/21
Universal Reading and Writing Supports: Are you looking for tools to support struggling writers and readers? Click here to learn more about tools available to help students who struggle with writing. To learn more about tools to support struggling readers click here. If you would like some training for you and your staff about how to use this tool, complete this form and the AT team is here to help!
9/20/21
AAC Committee: We will be exploring the "specific language system first" approach, along with the TouchChat+WordPower app, this year in the AAC committee. If you would like to be part of this group, email Melissa Petersen (AT/SLP). Clock hours will be available.
Some folks are having difficulty with the stand on the back of the new iPad cases. Here is a 30 second video showing you how to do it!
9/13/2021
AAC Modeling Training
Check your students' accommodations to see if any of them have "AAC modeling training for staff" as one of your training supports. If you do, use the AT/AAC Training request form and we will set that up for you. AAC modeling training takes 1 hour and can be synchronous (zoom) or asynchronous (online professional development module).
Missing iPads?
If you or a student should have an iPad, and don't, fill out the iPad request form and we will get that sorted for you.
Need CORE Boards?
Use the ordering core flipbooks form to order core flipbooks, or staff or student lanyards, to be sent to your worksite.
Boardmaker?
Use the Add a student to Boardmaker form to add or remove students from your Boardmaker roster for Student Center activities. Contact Melissa Petersen if you need more information about Boardmaker.
AAC iPad swap
If you receive a new AAC iPad for a student who is currently using one, please send the older iPad back to Heidi Brislin at the ESC as soon as you are able to swap it out.
AAC iPads
If your student just got a new AAC iPad from assistive tech, make sure that the SLP SETS IT UP before you give it to a student. The appropriate app should be installed, but you will need to install the vocabulary before a student can use it.
Special Education Technology Center (SETC) Information
SETC has a great fall conference scheduled for 9/29/21 (afternoon) and 9/30/21 (all day). They also have a great fall schedule of free webinars.
Page updated
Report abuse