Communication
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Description: TIES Center - Increasing the time, instructional effectiveness, engagement, and state and district support for inclusive practices is the goal to eliminate the research to practice gap for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Realizing this goal requires high expectations and a presumption of competence for each student, which then leads to the provision of equitable opportunities and collaborative support. These expectations, opportunities, and support are critical in the...
Description: The 2020-2021 school year is starting amid a great deal of uncertainty. As instruction begins in-person, online, and with hybrid formats, teachers, families and caregivers, students and instructional teams may need to reconsider the accommodations and supports that students receive. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) along with the Assistive Technology Network (AT Network) has adapted this resource from the Indiana Department of Education that lists common daily accommodations for...
Description: Significant Cognitive Disabilities - This program serves as a resource to local education agencies, including charter schools. The program supports LEAs in curriculum adaptations to address the Extended Content Standards, methodology and best practices, and other issues regarding students with severe/profound or multiple disabilities. NC Extended Content Standards Extended Content Standards Support Tools
Description: Project Success offers research-based, targeted professional development and coaching for teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals who support students with disabilities. By focusing on the expansion of inclusive practices and the integration of academic standards and functional skills, educators receive the support they need to be successful in improving student outcomes. Whether they are new to supporting students with disabilities or have decades of experience, Project Success meets...
Description: Project Core is a stepping-up technology implementation grant directed by the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, Department of Allied Health Sciences, UNC-Chapel Hill. The primary goals of Project Core are two-fold: Empower teachers and classroom professionals to deliver access to a Universal Core vocabulary and communication instruction during the naturally occurring academic and daily routines of the school day. Improve the academic achievement of students with significant...
Description: A Picture Schedule is a series of pictures that are sequenced in an order either horizontally or vertically for a specific purpose. They can be used in many different ways. Lesson Pix provides users many types of picture schedules to meet a variety of needs. Users can choose from over 50,000 images or upload their own pictures to use within their custom schedule. This "Picture Schedule" material allows 2 to 10 images in the schedule.
Description: This is an AAC page on facebook. It is hosted by Kate McLaughlin, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, AAC Enthusiast.
Description: Welcome to Speech without Limits! Jeanna Antrim has been an ASHA certified SLP for the past 9 years. Since undergrad she has had experience working with AAC and she currently works as an AAC Facilitator in a school system. Her videos provide tips and tricks for implementing AAC and providing ALI in the home, while reading books, and during various other activities.
Description: Assistiveware - Everyone has something to say. Working closely with the AAC community, they build apps and share best practices to help you communicate with the world.
Description: Distance Learning for Special Education - Resources on this page are provided by educators and families from around the world. We are collaborating to support the needs of students with significant disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These materials are open source and may be adapted to fit your child or student's need. They may not be used for purchase. We are updating this site often. Please email distancelearning4sped@gmail.com if you have a resource to share that would support...
Description: This guide designed to support professionals and families in understanding assistive technology (AT) and identifying possible AT tools for students from preschool through high school. (Updated 9/2023) “I have severe dyslexia and it's hard for me to read and write. In the eighth grade, I could not write down a single word. The first time I used a program with voice recognition, I wrote a whole short story. Using AT means I can do things myself and I don't have to depend on someone else to...
Description: Teach more efficiently with the world’s leading symbol-based special education solution. Support learning and communication in the classroom, therapy room or home with this trove of customizable material, including access to over 40,000 Picture Communication Symbols® (PCS). Boardmaker 7 is offered as a Standard or Subscription option.
Description: Position Statement: Facilitated Communication It is the position of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) that Facilitated Communication (FC) is a discredited technique that should not be used. There is no scientific evidence of the validity of FC, and there is extensive scientific evidence—produced over several decades and across several countries—that messages are authored by the "facilitator" rather than the person with a disability. Furthermore, there is...
Description: A cell phone contract is an agreement that outlines what families will do to make sure kids take care of their cell phone and use it responsibly — like not texting while driving. Another goal is to help kids speak up if they see or receive anything on their phone that makes them feel uncomfortable. These contracts include steps that kids promise to take. They also include steps that parents or caregivers promise to take. A cell phone contract can also help set limits on how much...
Description: Virginia Family Special Education Connection provides a one-stop-shop for parents, families and caregivers of children with special needs to: Access local school system contacts and disability services in your community Explore an abundance of resources, including assistive technology and behavioral supports to help your child succeed. Learn about and plan your child's educational program Understand your legal rights and responsibilities POWER (Parent Organizer with Educational...
Description: This is a post by Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty, mother to two sons on the autism spectrum and an Autism Family Partner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Summer vacation is ending all too fast, and before we know it those bright yellow school busses will be darting through our neighborhoods and a new school year will commence. Moving to a different classroom, grade, or school can be stressful for any child; for those on the autism spectrum, handling anxiety about the...
Description: EZPic2Txt is a texting app that provides a simple picture-based format for individuals with disabilities, who are non-readers or who are not able to text using a standard touch screen keyboard. The user can send important preset messages (created by a family member, caregiver, educator or employment specialist) to necessary preset contacts as e-mail messages or text messages with one swipe. Texts sent or received by the user can be read out loud using text-to-speech technology. Messages may be...
Description: If you have just recently found out about your child’s hearing loss or know of a child who has been recently diagnosed with a hearing loss you are on the right track to finding more information for Virginia residents. Knowledge is power! Being informed in the area of deafness/hearing impairment and teaching your child or children with hearing losses to be independent is important. On the Center for Family Involvement website, go to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 1-3-6 Family Educator Page and...
Description: The Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA) is a Commonwealth of Virginia State Authority created with public funds to help Virginians with disabilities obtain assistive technology. The ATLFA provides affordable financing alternatives (loans with below-market interest rates, no down payments, longer repayment terms, etc.) to help make adaptive equipment a possibility for individuals who might not otherwise be eligible for borrowing. Any type of equipment can be financed as long as...
Description: Social communication and social skill difficulties are core characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Deficits in social skills often have negative consequences that impact individuals’ outcomes in inclusive learning opportunities in schools and inclusive engagement in the communities. Though this social component is a widely known hallmark of ASD, intervention to support individuals’ mastery of these skills is still emerging in classroom and community environments across...
Description: Improving the Communication Abilities of all Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder We have developed Communication Guidelines and Resources to support educational team members in enhancing the communication abilities of students with ASD and to create lifelong learners. The Communication Guidelines and Resources are designed to: Enhance understanding of what communication is, Enhance understanding of why communication is important, and Advance expectations, knowledge, and skills related to...
Description: Emergency chat can be used in any situation where speech is impossible but communication is still necessary. The splash screen has a base text that explains to the person you gave your phone to that you can't use speech and want to use this app to communicate. The default text is aimed at people experiencing an autistic meltdown, where their speech centres stay non-functional for a while even after they've recovered.Both the title and text can be adjusted in the settings to be whatever you want...
Description: What Makes Us Unique? 100% online Varied Degree & Certificate Levels of Learning Coursework Spans Consumer Needs, Abilities, Environments & Age Groups Electives Allow for Focused Learning Paths Dynamic Online Learning Environments Nationally-recognized AT faculty The Assistive Technology Program at George Mason University offers coursework at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level. This program is designed to develop professionals who can effectively implement, assess, and...
Description: We are pleased to provide English speakers with quick access to the wealth of information in Spanish on this website. For those of you who don’t speak Spanish, use this page to easily find and share important information with the Spanish speakers you serve in their own language. Use the alphabetical jumps below to search the list for topics in English. Each item starts with the topic/title in English and a link to information in English on that topic. This is followed by the...
Description: What do Federal laws require of a public school to meet the communication needs of students with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities? Will the aids and services required be the same under both Federal laws? Does the school have to give a student the aid or service the parents request? What types of aids or services could be required for students? Where can I get more information about the rights of students with hearing, vision or speech disabilities? (Available in Spanish)
Description: Información en español en este sitio, Nos complacemos en facilitar su acceso rápido a nuestra información en español a través de esta lista alfabética organizada por Tema de Discapacidad.
Description: Students on the autism spectrum (and a lot of other students, too) frequently have challenges or behavior difficulties because they don’t understand their world very well. Because they are easily frustrated and regularly misunderstood, their behavior is often not like other students. Sometimes they do not understand how to do what other students do. Sometimes they try to control the world using behaviors and strategies other students don’t usually need to use. When trying to sort...
Description: Building effective communication skills is a critical component of the education of all students with ASD. It requires a systematic plan that ensures communication instruction is individualized to fit the short term and long term needs of the student. This involves individualized communication instruction, team collaboration, a system of communication that allows for effective and efficient communication, and implementation of evidence-based strategies and supports.
Description: All children are able to learn, just not in the same way. Autism is an information-processing difference that affects: communication, social interaction, sensory response, and learning and thinking. In part 1, we discussed academic strategies for the classroom. This presentation will address strategies for the unstructured time within the school day, environmental supports, social supports, and communication supports. Dr. Webb will also discuss strategies for managing behavioral challenges.
Description: Our goal in education must be to create a rich educational setting for all children. Special Education was originally designed as a "resource" to educational programs, not as a separate placement. Research indicates that removing children from their typical peers, undermines their capacity to learn the skills that will enable them to belong. Statistics from the CDC show a dramatic rise in Autism; therefore we must prepare our inclusive classrooms to create the educational setting to address the...
Description: A connection to the world and to the people around us is life sustaining. But for some individuals with complex learning needs, that connection can be limited. More than 20 years ago, when speech-language pathologist Jacquie Clark discovered that students with autism and other unique learning needs lacked accessible materials connecting them to current events, she created the symbol-supported newspaper, News2you. Today, this online weekly newspaper, differentiated to four levels, is...
Description: AbleNet is a world leader in assistive technology, curriculum, and services to help individuals with disabilities lead productive and fulfilling lives. We believe that all people deserve the tools to help them learn about, interact with, and participate in the world around them. Whether that’s a child in the classroom, an adult recovering from an injury, a veteran with a permanent disability, or a senior who wants to remain at home, AbleNet is there helping improve their lives. We develop,...
Description: Since 1979, Attainment Company has been helping people with disabilities achieve independence at school, work, home, and in the community. Attainment's print curriculum, software, apps, and videos compbine for a uniquely blended approach to accommodate individual student needs.
Description: As technology has come to play an increasingly important role in the lives of all persons in the United States, in the conduct of business, in the functioning of government, in the fostering of communication, in the conduct of commerce, and in the provision of education, its impact upon the lives of the more than 50,000,000 individuals with disabilities in the United States has been comparable to its impact upon the remainder of the citizens of the United States. Any development in mainstream...
Description: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) lists five special factors that the IEP team must consider in the development, review, and revision of each child’s IEP. The discussion below will highlight the importance of these special factors in the education of children with disabilities and the need for individualized consideration of these factors in IEP development and revision. The special factors are: Behavior, Limited English proficiency, Blindness or visual impairment,...
Description: The central “Hub” of information and products created for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities All the materials found on the CPIR Hub have been created and archived for Parent Centers around the country to help them provide support and services to the families they serve. The CPIR employs a user-centered process, gathering the perspectives of our experienced audience—Parent Center staff members and other...
Description: The VCU Autism Center for Education is committed to providing resources for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Resources consists of items which may be checked out from our extensive Lending Library as well as electronic materials you can download directly from our website. The electronic materials include fact sheets, peer reviewed journal articles, manuals, website links as well as other materials and information that expand the knowledge of ASD and facilitate implementation of...
Description: The Code of Virginia at section 22.1-129.1 permits any Virginia school division that has provided a “child with a disability” with an “assistive technology device” to transfer that device to another school division or a state agency that will be serving the child, or to the student or the student’s parent. The permissive transfer may occur when the student exits the school division and the device continues to be necessary to the student’s functional...
Description: This is a tool for creating visual supports. The Different Uses section includes tips sheets on Choice Boards, Circle Time Boards, Labels, Rules, Schedules, Mini Schedules, First/Then Boards, I Want Board, Personal Stories and Token Economy.
Description: CDC has FREE brochures, posters, fact sheets, and more for parents, health care providers, and public health professionals. These include: EHDI Program Update: CDC’s Progress in Detecting Infant Hearing Loss Decision Guide to Communication Choices Making a Plan for Your Child And more..
Description: How to use this board - This Paramedic & EMS Symbol Board was developed as a means to support two-way conversation. To gather information from a person who cannot communicate easily, simply show the individual the board, point to an appropriate picture and verbally ask the question that fits the symbol. It is important for the professional to consider that the individual, although nonverbal, may be able to read, write or use a keyboard to answer questions. Offering access to a...
Description: How to use this board - This School Nurse Symbol Board was developed as a means to support two-way conversation. To gather information from a person who cannot communicate easily, simply show the individual the board, point to an appropriate picture and verbally ask the question that fits the symbol. It is important for the professional to consider that the individual, although nonverbal, may be able to read, write or use a keyboard to answer questions. Offering access to a keyboard, paper...
Description: Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything - As an educational technologist, I continue to learn each day. When I develop new presentations or explore a new passion, I create a page of resources. This site will serve as the entry point to these resources, ideas, tips, and tricks. Topics include: Assessment Creativity Devices Emerging Technology Information/Digital Literacy Pedagogy Professional Growth Workshops
Description: The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) works to reduce the communication barriers between persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who are hearing, including family members, service providers, and the general public.
Description: Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. We’re a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing...
Description: A free public service, Virginia Relay connects people who are deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind or speech disabled with standard telephone users, relaying the conversation between both parties. Relay services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no limit on the number or length of calls a user may make.
Description: FamilyConnect is a service offered by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) to give parents and other family members of children who are visually impaired–and professionals who work with them–a supportive place for sharing and finding resources on raising their children from birth to adulthood. Every parent wonders, “Will I do a good job raising my child?” If your child is blind or visually impaired, you’ll have the same question…and many more....
Description: WonderBaby.org is dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments as well as children with multiple disabilities. Here you’ll find a database of articles written by parents who want to share with others what they’ve learned about playing with and teaching a blind child, as well as links to meaningful resources and ways to connect with other families.
Description: Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE) Assistive Technology Network (AT Network) addresses priorities of VDOE with centralized coordination, implementation, and dissemination of information about the laws which define AT devices and services, the process of consideration of AT by Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams, and AT assessment and resources. It includes a section on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In support of these priorities, the network has several...
Description: Communication is an essential part of everyday life and is considered to be a profound and indisputable individual right. Impairment in communication is one of the diagnostic characteristics of ASD. This means that every student identified with an ASD will experience communication difficulties. It is now widely regarded that communication is an essential life skill and should be a primary goal for students with ASD.