Diversity PCS!

Hey Tek-ninjas! Just recently Boardmaker announced new additions to their Boardmaker Online! PCS with an emphasis on diversity. Love this so much! 

If you have an account it's very easy to add these symbols. Go visit Boardmaker Online, log in to your account, create a new activity, click the symbol tool and search for new symbols, and add them to your activity right-away.

If you don't have a Boardmaker Online account yet, they are currently offering a free 90-day trial... might be worth taking a closer look to support your students with special needs. 

Did you know that users can request new PCS symbols? The artists (whom I met and probably fan-boyed all over) are constantly adding more symbols to the software. Share your ideas with the art team using the PCS symbol request form. All suggestions will be considered, and those that are accepted will be automatically added as part of the bi-weekly

updates.

Finally, though I've shared this before, and it has zero to do with diversity... just wanted to brag once again that I was "Boardmaker-ed" awhile back. This also, makes me very happy!

Happy therapy friends!

The Compton's make AAC look doable!

Hey Tek-ninjas! I am so excited about this training! This session will be led by Erin Compton, a parent

who spends her time caring and advocating for her two children with cerebral palsy while homeschooling her other thirteen children (I could feel like an under-achiever). She mentions that it’s not an easy road to travel but one where she wouldn't change a thing!

In the "about" section of they describe the channel as "excerpts from everyday life in an average family of 15. Join us for new videos each week about faith, family, homeschooling, special needs, AAC, adoption and parenting." Whether or not they are "an average family", I'll let someone else decide, but the Compton's youtube videos are

heartwarming, funny, engaging, and most importantly show us all that "we can do this work"!

This session will offer some simple do’s and don’ts, designed to reduce the stress and increase positive communication at home.  Tuesday, June 9, 2020.  2:00 to 3:00 (ET)

Presenters: Erin Compton and Marleah Umpleby, MS CCC-Slp.

If you are interested in learning more or registering, just click here.

Just gonna leave this here...

Modern Communication

Hey Tek-ninjas! So here's an interesting development. Communicator 5 has gotten a top-notch infusion of super power! Last week, Tobii Dynavox rolled out an update that at least for now, will work solely on the new i-Series 13 and 16. This update includes a suite of apps known as Join-in.

Join-in includes pagesets or apps such as Facebook, FB Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram,
Google, Google Calendar, Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, MSN and Android Messages. This is exciting news for eye-gaze and switch access communicators. Of course, the device will need to be "unlocked" in order to access the internet.

Now personally, I really like the newer Snap Core First Literate Text pageset for my literate users in regards to talking. But... these days, communication happens in so many different environments including via text, or on social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. I am really excited to pair Snap Core First with Communicator 5 to make for a really robust offering of language and functional tools.

If you have an i-Series 13 or 16 - likely they downloaded in the latest update, and you may not even be aware of that fact. They can be added to your desktop quite simply. In the video below I show how to add Snap Core First and the Join-in apps to your Communicator 5.

Happy therapy!

June is for Learning...

Hey Tek-ninjas! Have I got some good stuff for you. Tobii Dynavox is offering a ton of great trainings in June. All remote, so you don't need to travel! Some offer CEUs, some don't, all are terrific content covering shared reading, core content, beyond requesting, games, and behavior supports. Surely there's something in here to help you be a better clinician!

Date	Time Frame (EST)	Title	CEU?	Campaign Link
6.01.20	2:00-2:30	Beat the Heat with Shared Reading	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/communication-at- home-series---beat-the-heat-with- shared-reading2/
6.01.20	3:00-3:30 ET	Using Core at Home	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/communication-at- home-series---beat-the-heat-with- shared-reading/
6.02.20	1:00 -2:00 PM	Introduction to Communicating Beyond Requesting	YES 0.1 CEUs	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/introduction-to- communicating-beyond-requesting/
6/2/2020	3:00 -3:30	Talking with Topics	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/supporting- communication-at-home-series--- talking-with-topics/
6.04.20	10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (includes 30 minute lunch)	Communicating with Core Vocabulary in Snap Core First	Yes 0.35 CEUs	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/communicating-with- core-vocabulary-in-snap-core-first/
6.04.20	7:00- 7:30 PM (Night School)	Bingo, Books and Board Games	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/night-school-series--- bingo-books-and-board-games/
6.05.20	2:00-3:00ET	Introduction to Implementing AAC for Emergent Communicators	Yes 0.1 CEUs	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/introduction-to- implementing-aac-for-emergent- communicators/

6.08.20	10:00 -10:30 AM	Talking with Topics	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/supporting- communication-at-home-series--- talking-with-topics2/
6.09.20	10:00-10:30 ET	Using Core at Home	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/communication-at- home-series--- using-core-at-home/
6.09.20	5:30-6:00 PM	Boardmaker Learning Lounge	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/boardmaker-learning- lounge/
6.11.20	11:00 - 11:30 AM	Beat the Heat with Shared Reading	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/communication-at- home-series---beat-the-heat-with- shared-reading3/
6.11.20	3:00-4:00 PM	Positive Behavior Supports in Snap Core First	Yes 0.1 CEUs	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/positive-behavior- supports-in-snap-core-first/
6.11.20	7:00 - 7:30 PM	The Magic of Modeling	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/night-school-series--- the-magic-of-modeling/
06.12.20	12:00-12:30	Learning Lounge Express	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/learning-lounge- express/
6.16.20	12:00-12:30 ET	Using Core at Home	No	https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en- US/support-training/on-location- training/events-from-sales- force/2020/6/communication-at- home-series--- using-core-at-home2/

Virtual Core Tour!

Hey Tek-Ninja’s! Back in January I had the opportunity to host a Tobii Dynavox "Core Tour" event here in Chapel Hill, NC. This event rapidly filled up, with clinicians of all types, as well as family members, and the consensus what that it was a remarkable experience.

Well, good news! The event is happening virtually on May 21st. No travel! Excellent content, and CEUs.

What’s a Core Tour? Presenters will guide you as you explore evidence-based approaches for supporting both communication and literacy development for children with complex communication needs. Discussion will revolve around Snap Core First communication software and associated Tobii Dynavox literacy tools to support symbol-based communicators and their communication partners. Presenters will target specific strategies that can positively impact engagement, literacy, and growth.

Who is this event for?
Parents/Family members, Caregivers , SLPs, OTs, PTs, & Assistants Teachers/Special educators/paraprofessionals

Where:
Zoom!!

When: Thursday, May 21, 2020 10:30 AM – 04:30 PM ET

ASHA CEUs: 0.55

Questions?
Contact: learning@tobiidynavox.com

Register now! This event is going to fill up quickly, so don’t wait to register!

After registering for this event, you will immediately receive an email with your Zoom registration. Complete that registration in order to receive your Virtual Classroom link. Remember to check your spam folder for follow up emails.
You must log in 15 minutes prior to start time.

Contact your Representative - let’s support teachers and kids

Hey Tek-ninjas! I want to take a moment to urge you to urge your legislators to use funds for special education! Your urgent action is needed to ensure new #COVID19 relief funds are used to support special education! Remote education is tough... it can be tougher for our special needs kids and their teachers. Let’s make sure they have ample funding.

Regardless of your political affiliation, you can make an impact right now by contacting your state rep, and it only takes a few minutes. Click on this link, which will take you to the website of The Council for Exceptional Children, then enter your zip code, click enter, and you will be taken to a pre-written letter, already addressed to your rep, which you can tweak to truly reflect you, or send it as is.