Communication Connections

Wow what a start to our #ASLTechnology25 day here at Moray House, Edinburgh. Music from Limelight Music, @SMART_Tech Kris Astle, Keynote and a real buzz in the exhibition! You can still register to receive recordings of all sessions. aslandtechnology.org.uk

Link to CALL Scotland symbolised Bookbug resources: symbolsforall.org.uk/bookbug/ Scottish teachers can also access free accessible books: booksforall.org.uk/home/

Playing with a Minecraft creeper toy (green thing, first photo), my son said it needed an 'eye computer.' I had 3D printed toy AAC devices shared by AAC for All. Added screenshots of CALL Scotland Bookbug books and writing grids. The toys had fun reading, writing & chatting!

When planning for this session, I found that the Barnsley Assistive Technology team had updated their 'Means, Reasons and Opportunities' resources which are excellent to support gathering views on communication aids. Here is the link to find out more: assistivetech.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk/resource/means…

I used different resources to get a student's opinion on the tools we were trying out to enhance access to curriculum & communication through her iPad. A combination of symbols, rating scales and her AAC app. Referring to the board at the end to summarise was very helpful! #AAC

@Hahne_Elyse @CALLScotland 🤩

@Communi_con @CALLScotland Thanks you so much! I am headed to your tpt too!

Printed resources, objects & AAC to sing 5 Little Frogs. The student wanted to use the little plastic jumping frogs, as an added bonus he worked on his fine motor skills to make them jump in the pool. With symbols & device he instructed me to sing at different volumes and speeds.

@Hahne_Elyse Hello, one of the boards is by @CALLScotland and free to download: symbolsforall.org.uk/downloads/file…; The other is available to purchase on TpT: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/5-Litt…

@Communi_con Love it! Did you make the board/visuals?

Playing with balloons while modelling paper & power-based AAC options. Between an app, this board, Makaton, speech & gestures, he said he wanted a different colour of balloon, I had to blow it up, let go then he had to find where it landed (I had to stay on the seat & not move).

We are recruiting! Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Specialist Speech and Language Therapist / Teacher To apply, email your CV and a supporting statement (700 words max) to HR@craighalbert.org.uk. For more details, visit craighalbert.org.uk/workwithus.

If you are attending Bett on Wednesday morning @kirsteensteven will presenting at the SEND Theatre 11.15-11.45am. @BettGlobal #BettUK2025

I normally stick to key words while modelling along to this song. In this video I've included all words to demonstrate the steps involved and that it will take longer to compose a message even when I know what I want to say and where the words are. 2/2

For a recent professional learning session, we had fun with 'Core-e-oke' using communication boards. I've worked with several pupils who enjoy the back & forth of 'Hello/Goodbye' using paper & powered AAC. I often burst into 'The Beatles: Hello, Goodbye' while modelling. 1/2

I asked my son to think about his favourite thing from the weekend, what else he liked and anything he didn't like. This was the first time my niece had seen Proloquo, like many children first seeing a communication app, there was lots of babbling (tapping words repeatedly).

Tried out the new 'Thinking Space' feature on Proloquo. I really like how we were able to visually organise our thoughts. Looking forward to exploring this further. Watching a Spider-Man film with my son & niece, we added a title and words to describe what we thought of it. 1/2

Are you down with the vibe? Read Ceanna's most recent blog post on how to add a "vibe" when communicating using AAC apps and devices here bit.ly/blog211024 or via the QR code below. Very fitting given the theme for #AACaware24 was "Vibes of AAC".

@HappyLilLilacs So much fun!

Love this!!!! Gotta try it out! Our class loves using canva!

@AnastasiaSongs @TobiiDynavox The TD Snap app has a cost but the additional pagesets shown are free to download and add to the app 🙂

@Communi_con @TobiiDynavox Are these paid?

If you use TD Snap, there are great pagesets to download from pageset central. Some that I've been checking out are the photo album, Jolly Phonics keyboard and songs, original topics for Motor Plan 66, Acapella Smileys and regulation. Saves a lot of time and editing! #AAC #TDSnap

• For the reading voice in Book Creator, we listened to some voices and he chose the one he wanted. As I have the CerePlay Scottish voices on my iPad, we could choose a Scottish child's voice. • On the last page he wanted to do his own typing so we explored the keyboard. 4/4

• Went back to story, he didn't like that the robot was a 'baddy' so changed it. • Using Canva, he chose images for pages (I brought up a few, he picked one he liked). • We used the ChatterKid app to add his voice to the robot. • With Book Creator, pulled it together. 3/4

Another app smash. Grid 3, Canva, ChatterKid, Book Creator & CerePlay. I've been using this amazing story grid with some pupils (if you use Grid, find it on online grids, search 'Story Grid' or 'Story Grid). Pick a phrase from each page, you have a story at the end 1/4