We had our second session of our monthly AAC groups as part of our Rett Syndrome and Related Disorders Communication Program. This time we had our group for 5-9 year olds and our group for 12-16 year olds. We read a book and did some predictable chart writing, and then we painted pots and planted flowers. So much fun!
Meet Tanya, our pediatric speech language pathologist and AAC specialist. Tanya moved from Boston to San Diego. She earned her Master's degree from Emerson College in Boston, in Communication Disorders in 2004 and a second master's degree in Assistive Technology from Simmons College in Boston, in 2012. Tanya has provided speech and language services for children who have complex communication needs, using low and/or high tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with varying diagnoses. Tanya has been mentored by experts in Rett Syndrome and complex communication needs. She is PODD trained and attends the yearly assistive technology conferences. She has experience using a variety of AAC devices and working with alternative access, including eye gaze and switch use. In her free time, Tanya enjoys exploring San Diego, going to the beach and spending time with her dog.
What is aided language input? During aided language input, communication partners highlight symbols on the AAC system as they interact verbally with the person using AAC with a goal to teach language. (Goosens, Crain, Elder, Read more…
We had our first monthly group as part of our new Rett Syndrome and Related Disorders Communication Program! We made flower crowns, had a dance party and explored different colors and flavors of chapstick, using Read more…
Today in the clinic, I have been busy putting some AAC printouts around the space, and creating some core word tables to give communication partners ideas as to what core vocabulary could be used within Read more…