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Free Webinar: Utilizing Resources to Overcome Challenges with AAC Implementation

Free Webinar: Utilizing Resources to Overcome Challenges with AAC Implementation

The clinicians at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have taped the second video Martha Lynch Lecture. This will be offered as a live-to-self continuing education activity for 3 hours of instruction and also offers the option of earning 0.3 ASHA CEUs. The link to view the activity is here.

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Writing a Letter of Medical Necessity for Accessories, Replacement, or Repairs

Writing a Letter of Medical Necessity for Accessories, Replacement, or Repairs

So, you just realized that you forgot to consider an accessory when ordering a speech generating device? Or your student has lost or broken something on it? Wow…that NEVER happens…right?! Yep, it happens and now you have got to figure out how to buy it, replace it, or repair it but don’t know where to start. Here is a handy guide to the general process. Tasks may be slightly different depending upon the individual’s insurance requirements, but it’s all very similar.

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FREE.......AAC in the Cloud Virtual Conference STARTS TOMORROW!

FREE.......AAC in the Cloud Virtual Conference STARTS TOMORROW!

AAC in the Cloud virtual conference will offer almost 50 educational sessions related to addressing the AAC needs of clients with communication needs. It’s absolutely FREE and CEUs are available…register TODAY!

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Data Collection with AAC Use

Data Collection with AAC Use

I am currently working with several school-based speech therapists to introduce some simple communication activities with their students through virtual outreach. Since all are at home right now, I’m spending a lot of time on the phone trying to simplify and explain the process for collecting data so these family members can actively participate. We need to know what works and what doesn’t, but we don’t want them to feel overwhelmed.

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AAC for Pediatricians

AAC for Pediatricians

This is the second in a series of blog posts highlighting the great work of the University of Memphis graduate students in speech-language pathology. For their AAC class with Vicki Haddix (one of the TN Talks project leads), they choose their own final projects, and many of those final projects are potentially very useful for those of us working with students who use AAC. With the students’ permission, the work is being shared here.

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Supporting AAC use Through Telepractice…

Supporting AAC use Through Telepractice…

While we are all staying safe at home, Tennessee Talks is working to figure out new, innovative ways to provide ongoing services to students, their families, and speech therapists through virtual outreach. And, even more importantly, we are trying to help YOU serve the AAC needs of your students while at home.

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Visual Supports at Home

Visual Supports at Home

As I have talked with parents throughout this quarantine time, I keep hearing that the kids are not focusing to do the assignments. There can be many more distractions at home. This is where I begin my talk of visual supports. These are very important as children with communication difficulties can have difficulty in processing language focus on a task and with transitions. Visual supports such as a first then task schedule, visual timer, key chain behavior support, and full visual schedule.

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Language & Literacy

Language & Literacy

As children listen, they learn to speak. Speech helps them learn to read, which helps them read to learn. A perfect snowball, right!? Not always. Many of the students we serve have communication, cognitive and/or physical challenges that impede typical development of speech and language skills…which creates a different kind of snowball.

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Autism and AAC

Autism and AAC

Information and resources shared at the East Tennessee Autism Society Conference, April 27, 2019. Resources are intended to support families and educational teams working with students with Autism who may need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

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