Post on 13-Apr-2022
What’s in a Bag?Northfield School District’s Solution-Based
Program for Developing the use of AAC Communication at Home
Ann Ackerman (SLP), Christine Howard (SLP), Melanie Klein (Special Education Teacher), & Lori Warner (OT/AT Consultant)
Presentation Objectives:
• Using the 4 Step Problem Solving Process participants will learn how Northfield School District was able to Bridge the Gap between home and school AAC use.
• At the conclusion of this presentation you will have an working example of a home based program geared toward increased modeling and use of AAC in the home environment.
Problem Solving Process: Define the Problem
Define the Problem:
Our students using AAC were not using AAC at home and in
the community!
Why Is It Happening?
•Google Form – Email Link
•Paper Questionnaire
•Dialogue with Parents
Roadblocks identified by parents:“Often times our daughter is tired after school & between that making/eating dinner, other night activities. Time is limited or seems to get away from us.”
“He gets fixated on his iPad, so we put the iPad up when he is at home.”
“Getting him to answer questions…”
“We just need to make the talker part of our routine.”
“Unfamiliar with the system and have multiple staff.”
Problem Solving Process: Develop a Plan
Developed a Plan:
•Reviewed survey results•Listened to parents•Developed a common PLC goal & objectives•Shared resources
Poll Results:
Parents asked for more information on the following:• How do I use it at home?• How do I add words/phrases to the device?• How long should it take for my child to learn how to use the
device?• How often should I use the system?• I know what my child wants without using the device…
should I still use it?• Where is my child going with this system?
Common PLC Goal:
We will increase expressive communication of all non-verbal LI students so that each student will demonstrate a reduction in adult support by 2 levels as measured by the adopted "chain of cues” June 2019.
Established Common PLC Objectives:
• What knowledge and skills do we expect our students to learn?
• How will we know our students have learned expected outcomes?
• How will we respond, individually and collectively, when our students have difficulty learning expected outcomes?
• How will we respond, individually and collectively, when our students have already learned expected outcomes?
• How can we use the evidence of student learning to inform and improve our practice?
Shared Resources:Tobii Dynavox Core First
https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en-US/software/content/core-first/#CoreFirstLearning
Practiacall AAC Websitehttp://praacticalaac.org/
Assistiveware Core Word Websitehttps://coreword.assistiveware.com
Project Core Websitehttp://www.project-core.com/
Fun in ECSE Websitehttps://funinecse.blogspot.com/search?q=core+vocabulary+activities
Omazing Kids Bloghttps://goo.gl/buA63E
Problem Solving Process: Implement Plan
Implementation Plan:
•Parent Survey (Paper form and email) •Review Data •Identify Present Levels •Materials List•Enact Grant Proposal & Presentation •Making the Bags •Kick Off Event
What’s in a Bag:
•Books•Video Tutorials•Static Core Word Boards•Pathway Sheets for Daily Home Activities•Activity Sheets for Each Core Word•Materials Sheet•Manipulatives for Interactive Options
The Talking Tote!
Core Word List:I
You
Want
Go
Like
It
More
Not
Help
Stop
See
Turn
Do
Have
He / She
Examples of Book Titles:
•Go Dog Go (Go)
•Brown Bear Brown Bear (See)
•Stop Doing That (Stop)
•Trashy Town (Stop)
•A Dog’s Life (Like)
Example of Video:
Bear Wants More – example of using core word “more” while reading
Link to "Bear Wants More" video
Example of a Pathway:
Link to "Turn" Pathway Sheet
Activity Sheet Example:
Materials List Example:
Expenses:Bags …………………………………………………………………………………..$110
• 20 durable canvas bagsBooks………………………………………………...………………………….……$247
• 27 books disseminated among 15 bagsToys & Activities ………………………………………………………...........$273
• 19 Interactive items disseminated among 15 bagsAccessibility Items ……………………………………………………..........$306
• Scissors, Switches, Talking Switch BrixGrand Total (approx.)….………….…………………………................. $937
*Additional miscellaneous costs include: zip ties, cardstock, printer ink, etc.
Implementation!
• Kick Off Event Photos
Problem Solving Process: Evaluate
Family Response:
•Families completed Talking Totes surveys.•Paper pencil and electronic surveys.•Survey questions included: •Survey results:
Implementation Changes:
•Marketing strategy•Time allotment •Iron-on design and method•Inventory management•Bag rotation management
Further Considerations:
• What happens next? What group of core words will be targeted.
• New students to the program.• Managing the bags.• Additional family events.• Are there additional ways we can continue to increase
family and AAC involvement at home? • Is there anything missing from the talking totes bags? • Collecting on-going parent feedback and assessment of the
totes.
Break out & Explore the Talking Tote Bags