Connecting the Light

06/22/2023

So much of educating parents, caregivers, and team members on communicating with their loved ones is determining the "why."
WHY would someone who has complex communication needs want to learn language to communicate? That's WHAT we teach.

It is SO easy to get caught up in our plan and what we feel we need to do. When we let go of our agenda, we can foster a motivation to communicate. There is power in effective communication - when we are actually listened to!

When we let go and follow the AAC learner's lead, the communicator starts to feel heard and can start making connections with their AAC system.

Image is a quote from Zoe Pardoe on the power of acknowledging the AAC user's message (and letting go of our plan):

"Until they find a purpose and enjoyment in communicating, they are not going to."

The quote is from the session Zoe presented at the 2023 AAC in the Cloud conference: https://www.aacconference.com/schedule.html

03/02/2023

Hope you enjoy these clips from 5 autistic advocates.

Murray explores his life as a non-speaking autistic person

02/18/2023

Need a new iPad?
The augmentative communication therapist in me is excited to see this!
About to check out the new Proloquo app. It seems to be a promising robust language system, and a subscription allows multiple users to download it on their own iPads!
Imagine - everyone modeling language on their own devices so learners won't be the only one with a device!

More good news for iPad based AAC! Target (in addition to Best Buy) is also selling 9th 10.2” iPads for $249 if you purchase online. Their sale ends Monday.

I’d imagine if you use a Target credit or debit card, you still get the extra 5% off. As we get closer to April and AAC app sales, this is so exciting!

01/17/2023

Love this post from Not An Autism Mom.

We need to "Speak AAC to Teach AAC," AND we will make mistakes.

If you've ever been in a session with me (Dr. MK), you've heard me say something like - "Whoa! You just used a word I don't even know!"

☝🏽That's my reminder that if I don't "confidently suck" at modeling, I'm probably not a) following the learner's lead or b) teaching new words.

This is something I say at every training. 👇👇👇

We don’t have to be good at AAC to model it with our kids/students.

(AAC: Augmentative/Adaptive Communication)

If we feel that type of pressure, our students will feel it, too.

If we feel the need for perfection, we are less likely to use it at all.

Have fun. Explore. Make mistakes. Enjoy learning something new together. 💜

[image description: a tweet by me… Our goal should not be to model AAC confidently with our students… Our goal should be to confidently suck at modeling AAC with our students. Make mistakes. Search for words. Take our time. Let’s model that.]

01/06/2023

Sharing Nigh.functioning.Autism's words because when we know better, we can do better. But we do need to listen.

12/07/2022

Love this accessible wrapping hack because it could help so many people, with or without motor difficulties, open presents.
Think of how many language opportunities would be more meaningful with active participation (sample core vocabulary words to model in CAPS):
WHAT's IN the box?
WHO is it from?
OPEN IT FAST!
I LOVE IT!
IT's WHAT I WANTed!
LET'S PLAY!

12/04/2022

Great suggestions for supporting our loved ones through the holiday craziness - ahem, festivities in article posted in comments. 👇🏼

Thank you Thinking Person's Guide to Autism for sharing this Washington Post article!

11/30/2022

If you celebrate Christmas, do you use an Advent Calender to count down the days?

👆🏽 Either way, we are all for fun ideas to model core vocabulary! Check out these brilliant ideas from Coughdrop.

Which one is your favorite?

NEW on our blog today!!
AAC Advent Calendar with holiday-themed activity ideas for AAC learning. Get it FREE!!

blog.mycoughdrop.com/aac-advent-calendar/

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String of lights across the top of the page. At the bottom the title in red reads "AAC Advent Calendar". Next to that is a cream-colored rabbit with tall ears that have lights strung around them. The rabbit has a red scarf and is holding an AAC device with a core word speech board showing. In the bottom left corner is the CoughDrop logo and the notation coughdrop.com. The body of the image is a calendar-type set of blocks in rows of five labeled 1-25. Each block describes a simple, holiday-themed activity to support AAC learning.

10/19/2022

It's all about connection - whatever that looks like - to promote autonomy!
Great post from The AAC Coach!

10/01/2022

So excited that Coughdrop is celebrating October is AAC Awareness month by focusing on our favorite topic: MODELING!
🧡"Milestones start with moments."

AAC Awareness Month starts TOMORROW!!!
We are excited to focus on AAC modeling this month and share some simple ways teams can build AAC modeling into their regular routine.

Communication ROCKS!!!
Communication for ALL!!!

Communication

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A large dark blue circle is in the background overlapped with a lavender circle coming from the right of the image. In the lavender circle is a hand holding a megaphone that seems to have sound coming form it. Three small salmon circles dot the edges of the blue circle. Heading at the top of the graphic reads, "AAC Month of Modeling" below that is an orange rectangle showing the words, "In Honor of AAC Awareness Month." At the bottom of the image another long orange rectange shows the words "Remember: Milestones Start with Moments."

Message of the graphic reads, "Get ideas, share insights, start a conversation. Every modeling moment makes a difference. Each day, we'll share a modeling resource, topic, or suggestion to help engage, enable, and empower AAC communicators and teams."