CommunicATor

In celebration of AAC Awareness Month October 2023, a number of app developers are once again offering deep discounts! Date ranges and sale details vary, so check the graphic linked carefully! This is a great resource for you to share with families that are wanting to buy the communication application for their child or for a school team to consider purchasing for their SSN iPads to have a school modeling device copy. CLICK HERE for all the app sale details!

Another great resource to share with staff and families is the AAC Learning Journey for at-home trainings. Click HERE for a quick video overview.

If you have a student that uses a SWAAAC iPad for communication, please make sure that the iPad is connected to the DCSD Secure Wi-Fi. Please keep the Wi-Fi on at all times so the management system can run updates. We are also asking that you check to be sure that the latest iOS is installed (currently 17.0.3 for DCSD devices).

Check out this new accessibility feature on iOS 17:

• Assistive Access, a new alternative to Guided Access that allows device users to access more than just their communication app, while still limiting access to the entire device

TouchChat and LAMP have also been updated recently. Read about the latest improvements:

Head Tracking and More in App Update 2.44

Computer Controls And Vocab Updates For Chat Software Version 2.44

The SWAAAC team is working on holiday specific vocabulary pages for our students using TouchChat WordPower 60. While it is still a work in progress, we will eventually have them available in this Google Drive folder. We do have the Halloween page ready, which you can print out as a low tech option. You can also request the file from your SWAAAC representative.

Don't forget to check out our interactive lessons on the DCSD SWAAAC website! Your students love the themed books during shared reading, as well as cool extension activities such as crafts, cooking, switch adapted games and more!

We have a wonderful Fall Interactive Lesson where your students can enjoy activities such as going on a leaf hunt and making pumpkin spice play dough.

We also have a Halloween Interactive Lesson with activities such as making pumpkin slime and masking tape mummies!

Click here to view all of our interactive lessons.

The SWAAAC team was able to purchase some new switch toys thanks to a generous grant from the CDE via Donors Choose. The team spent the recent Professional Development day getting these toys adapated for our students and ready for our new Switch Fix program.

If your student can benefit from a switch toy, join The Switch Fix today! Once the SWAAAC team receives your request, we will send out a switch toy through interoffice mail and staff will receive a notification when it is time to return the toy. Once we receive the toy back, a new toy will be sent out to your school. We want to be sure that students have access to different toys/activities throughout the year to support their learning and engagement. Please reach out to your SWAAAC representative if you have any questions.

Santa's Little Hackers is back this year for their 10th year of making fun accessible for all!

Santa’s Little Hackers is a non-profit organization that switch adapts toys and gives them away at Christmas. Please share this information with your families if you know of a child that could benefit.

Applications to sign up for an adapted toy from Santa’s Little Hackers will be open from October 15-30th this year. The link to sign up will be shared on the Santa's Little Hackers webpage and social media pages the week leading up to the 15th. Applicants will be entered into a randomized drawing. Santa's Little Hackers is able to send out as many toys as they get donations for, so be sure to share with co-workers, family, and friends!

GET INVOLVED:

Join Santa's Little Hackers on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Adams12 Five Star Schools in Thornton, CO for their Annual Little Hackers Workshoppe to make toys! A link will be shared on their webpage in November to sign up to volunteer.

To donate, please visit this page to see all the ways to give.

Santa’s Little Hackers is a seasonal program put on by MaxMods. MaxMods is s 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation chartered to ‘make the world accessible for all’ by identifying adaptions and modifications to make the world work for individuals living with disabilities.

SWAAAC team members recently volunteered at the annual Inclusive Family Fun Day at The Millhouse at Philip S. Miller Park. This event was a wonderful opportunity for families to connect and meet local providers and community resources. Different stations for inclusive play activities included music and movement, adapted art, gross motor play, sensory play, inclusive literacy and the very popular foam party!

Check out this simple, kid-friendly video for LAMP Words for Life users featuring the core words big and little. Communication partners can use these videos to model AAC and language in activities with their students. They are fun and engaging! For more videos, check out the YouTube Channel, @speechwithjoe.

• Wednesday, October 11, 2023
• 10:00 - 11:00 AM MST

Presented by Yarely Ramirez, M.S., CCC-SLP

This is an introductory course to Multimodal Communication. AAC devices are great tools for communication purposes! However, does the patient have to solely rely on the use of an AAC device to functionally communicate? A multimodal form of communication encompasses the use of signs, gestures, vocalizations, words, word approximations, and/or icons. With this method, the patient is able to use any form of communication to convey a message. As SLPs, we get into the habit of focusing on only one form of communication, whether it is telling patients “Use your words please,” “Say it again but with your device, or “Good try on saying please, now sign it.” It is time to embrace any or all forms of communication as opposed to asking the patient to just pick one.

Learner Outcomes

• Learners will identify the define the term Multimodal Communication, while also demonstrating an understanding of its practical applications.
• Learners will identify the different ways to model using Multimodal Communication
• Learners will identify how to structure an activity for parent coaching on Multimodal Communication

Register here to reserve your spot!

• Wednesday, October 18, 2023
• 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Presented by Claire Simpson, MS, OTR/L

The SWAAAC Assistive Technology (AT) Loan Library has a huge variety of switches and switch interfaces available for loan by public school and early intervention providers in Colorado. The Student, Environment, Task, Tool (SETT) Framework outlines a feature matching process that can guide assistive technology providers in determining which products might meet their students’ needs based on their features. This webinar will compare input, output, processing, and other features of many of the switches and switch interfaces available in the SWAAAC AT Loan Library, with a focus on switches and interfaces that support access to technology such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and AAC.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will…

1. Describe benefits of using the SETT framework to guide a feature matching process for assessing assistive technology needs.

2. Identify input, output, processing, and other features of at least 3 switches in the SWAAAC AT Loan Library.

3. Identify input, output, processing, and other features of at least 2 switch interfaces in the SWAAAC AT Loan Library.

4. Identify 3 resources for further learning about switch assessment and training available through the SWAAAC AT Loan Library or SWAAAC website.

Register by October 4th to reserve your spot!

• Tuesday, October 24, 2023
• 12:00 - 1:00 PM MST

Presented by Tanna Neufeld, Speech-Language Pathologist

We know how important early intervention is for optimal outcomes, but it can be tricky to know just how early to bring AAC tools and strategies into the IFSP. In this webinar, we will explore a framework to help early intervention providers identify children who may benefit from early access to AAC tools and strategies. You'll gain basic tips for integrating an AAC perspective into your assessment and family support practices, as well as resources to continue your learning in these areas.

Learner Outcomes

• Learners will identify three strategies to include in your assessment process that can help you plan for early integration of AAC tools and strategies
• Learners will identify three resources to help you obtain AAC tools to try with children and famailies
• Learners will identify three factors to consider when sharing information about AAC with team members and families

Register here to reserve your spot!

• Tuesday, October 24, 2023
• 12:30 - 4:30 PM

Presented by Kieva D’Angelo of KIEVA Speech Therapy

Over the last few years, it seems the terms “Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)” and “Natural Language Acquisition (NLA)” have been increasingly discussed amongst professionals, even though the research surrounding these topics has been around for several decades. One might ask, “why now?” Why does it seem Gestalt Language Processing has flown under the radar for so many years? How does this information affect my practice as a provider or educator, and how can I support this language processing style? Specific training on these topics feels limited, especially when considerations for Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) are added to the discussion. This 4-hour workshop will explore the literature on Gestalt Language Processing, Analytic Language Processing, and how evaluation and implementation processes for Augmentative Alternative Communication may look different for each. Incorporated throughout this presentation, Kieva D’Angelo will share ideas, and video content demonstrating different approaches and considerations for making AAC more inclusive for those who are Gestalt Language Processors.

Register by October 10th to reserve your spot!

What's Happening with AI and Assistive Technology

• Wednesday, November 15, 2023
• 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Registration link and more information about this webinar will be in our November newsletter!

Please appropriately package and return any equipment you no longer need through INTEROFFICE MAIL. Send to SWAAAC @ WSC. Thank you!

Email: swaaac@dcsdk12.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/dcsdk12.org/dcsdatteam
Location: 701 Prairie Hawk Drive, Castle Rock, CO, USA
Phone: 720-433-0200