Tobii-Dynavox Commitment

Hey Tek-ninjas! So this came in my email today, and I thought I’d pass it forward. The following came from Tobii Dynavox:

Our commitment to you

Along with the rest of the world, we have been monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). To do our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19, many of our employees are working remotely from home. However, we want to assure you that Tobii Dynavox remains fully operational.

As our customers are our #1 priority, know that we are here and available to you. Below are a few different ways to reach us:

Customer Service

Phone:1-800-344-1778 ext. 3
Email: css@tobiidynavox.com

Tech Support
Phone:
1-800-344-1778 ext. 1
Email: support.na@tobiidynavox.com

Funding
Email: Funding@TobiiDynavox.com
E-Funding: Complete funding packets online

Additionally, our Tobii Dynavox Solutions Consultants are available. To contact your local consultant, please click here.

As the Coronavirus situation continues to unfold, we will keep you updated with important information from Tobii Dynavox.

Coronavirus Communication Support Materials

To help educators, parents, and learners during this time of need, the Tobii Dynavox team has created and gathered free Coronavirus support materials.

Snap Core First
A symbol-based communication app custom designed for AAC.
60-day free trial - Download for iOS
Download for Windows

Coronavirus Topic Pages - Download now

Pathways
A free Snap Core First® companion app that provides communication partners with guidance and resources for engaging AAC users.
Download now

Boardmaker Online
Access PCS® for over 40,000 words, including Coronavirus, and behavior support templates, such as daily schedules and behavior supports.
30-day free trial - Download now

Boardmaker Activities-to-Go
Free, ready-made activities - includes games, communication boards, behavior supports, and more.
Download now

So, anyway... I hope you are all staying healthy and engaged in meaningful occupations! 

Virtual Learning for students with significant disabilities

Hey Tek-ninjas! If you live in Virginia and you are interested in assistive technology or education, likely you've heard of Old Dominion University's Training & Technical Assistance Center, aka: T-TAC.

If not, let's correct this now!

T-TAC "is part of a statewide network of assistance centers that are designed to improve educational opportunities and contribute to the success of children and youth with disabilities (birth-22 years)". T-TAC provides training and technical assistance to educators and therapists to generate improved educational opportunities for children with developmental delays in Virginia. They do good work!

Yesterday I received an email with some really great resources to facilitate Virtual Learning for students with significant disabilities. Virginia, like many states has closed schools state wide for several weeks. 

I thought it might be useful to share these resources here. If you read this, and have other suggestions, please don't hesitate to add them to the comments section below. 

· Looking for leveled reading? Try these free resources for teachers:
· Epic!
· Newsela

· Are you using Tar Heel Reader? Need a tip for how to share selected books with your students? Create a favorites list of the books you want your students to read. Open the favorites page. Copy the link and share with students and families.

· For switch access training (students can use a switch, space bar, and/or mouse click), try these free resources:
· Priory Woods
· Helpkidzlearn (free games)
· Shiny Learning

· Online Academic Activities

· ​Sheppard Software
· CK12
· Freckle
· Brain Pop
· Mystery Science
· ABCya

· Digital Books:
· Storyline Online
· Special Bites for YouTube Videos (gives switch access)

· Remember, learning can come in many forms. Take advantage of everyday activities and opportunities:
· Read to kids
· Take a walk and talk about nature, shapes, count items, sounds, etc.
· Work on social skills during play
· Let children help write grocery lists, to do list for the day, etc.

For additional resources and information, please check out the Focus Areas pages on the T-TAC ODU website. You can also access their previous newsletter articles and other publications.

Wash your hands, and happy therapy!!

Maybe it's just sinusitis, and useful tools

Hey Tek-ninjas! These are disconcerting times in the face of Covid-19. I hope you are all staying well.

Today my wife went to the physician after a week of feeling poorly. She had been reluctant, concerned she had the Corona Virus, and might be hauled off to some undisclosed quarantine location. She was diagnosed with a severe case of Sinusitis (and I did NOT take the opportunity to say 'told you so'). So, take care of yourselves, and don't assume the worst. 

In the meantime, I received an email from Tobii Dynavox with some excellent resources for some of your end-users.

PCS – Coronavirus symbols have been created and released in Boardmaker Online. The English

version is being integrated into Snap Core First today and localized versions for our standard languages will be completed soon. 

Snap Core First - The US English Coronavirus Topic Pages for Snap Core First are posted on myTobiiDynavox Pageset Central and titled “Coronavirus Topic Pages for Snap Core First.”  If someone does not currently have Snap Core First, they can trial the lite version by downloading it at no cost here. Localized versions are being created for our standard languages with Spanish, German, Norwegian and Swedish coming very soon.

Boardmaker Behavior Support Templates – Since schedules and routines are unusual, these tools and PCS can be used to create a more personalized approach to managing an individual’s behavior. These  boards can be found here, and shared within the Boardmaker Community, other channels and localized.

Boardmaker Activites-to-Go – Anyone is able to download these free, ready-made activities and supports for students who need to be homeschooled. They are available in US and UK English here.

Wash your hands, and happy therapy!! 

Upcoming Workshop in Fayetteville, NC

Hey Tek-ninjas! I've got another North Carolina learning opportunity for you! The folks at Therapy Innovations are hosting Lisa Geary and myself for a workshop titled "Communicating Beyond Requesting", Thursday, April 30, 2020. 

Where do you typically start when introducing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)? If you are like most people, you probably start with activities that involve an individual requesting a motivating object or action. But what happens next? What happens when we run out of things to request? This session, will explore key areas to go beyond requesting including vocabulary selection, goal writing, intervention strategies and communication partner tips.

This course will be offered for 0.5 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional Area).

Date & Time: Thursday, April 30, 2020 09:00 AM - 03:30 PM ET

Location: Therapy Innovations 4140 Ramsey Street Suite 111, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311, United States

Cost: Free of Charge

Currently, there are 10 open seats. These seats will fill up quickly!!

Our presenter Lisa M. Geary, M.S., CCC-SLP has over 25 years’ experience in speech-language therapy, teaching, and supervision. She previously served as Clinical Assistant Professor in a university setting where she taught clinical and didactic courses including the graduate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) class. Lisa also worked for many years in the public school, private practice, and outpatient rehabilitation settings. Lisa is currently a member of the Tobii Dynavox Learning Team where she develops and conducts trainings for professionals and customers.

Basically, she's a rock star. 

If you are interested, you can learn more here. 

 

Last call...

Hey Tek-Ninja’s! This is just a quick update, my buddy Todd’s Core Tour in the Maryland area is filling up rapidly! As of this morning, there are only seven seats left.

If you are in the area I cannot emphasize what a great learning event this will be covering AAC and Literacy. Clinicians who attended our event in Chapel Hill are still raving about what they learned and how it has positively impacted there therapy!

If you are interested, get registered ASAP!

Switch Scanning Made Easier!

Hey Tek-ninjas, today I want to share a new resource that I am excited about. Many folks struggle with the variables of, and teaching of Switch Scanning as an access mode. Recently Tobii Dynavox rolled out a Core First Scanning Page Set Implementation Guide which is available for free. By design it focuses on scanning in Snap Core First, but as usual, many aspects generalize to other tools.

This is timely, as the company also recently rolled out significant upgrades to the scanning options for the software. If you've not taken a look, I suggest you do so.

If you don't have a copy of Snap Core First, a free "editing" version can be downloaded here. There is also a Professional version available for speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals working with AAC users, which you can read about here. The software by itself retails for only $49.95.

The guide is a digital file, which you can save on any computer or print out. The contents include a thorough introduction to scanning, scan types and patterns, and switch positions. There is also a review of switches and accessories. The guide covers teaching scanning, both within a page and between pages. A section covers auditory scanning, and another looks at modeling and training. Snap Core First allows users to edit a scan group, modify scan settings, and both functions are clearly covered in the guide. Finally, the guide offers troubleshooting, resources, and even references.

Clear, articulate, free, and evidence based. What more could you ask for.

If you have further questions about the software, reach out to your Tobii Dynavox Solution Consultant.

Happy therapy!

Attaching the AAC Device to a Wheelchair

Hey Tek-ninjas! In this post I want to talk about wheelchair mounting. This is often the bane of many speech therapists. A colleague from a large mounting company made the observation in regards to slps and mounts, that "those drawn to language, may not necessarily be drawn to building". Essentially, assembling a chair mount to a chair is like building with an Erector Set from my childhood.

So not everyone is drawn towards building, and your friendly neighborhood Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist may be out of the picture, or have limited mounting experience themselves. None-the-less, wheelchair mounting is also a key factor supporting your end-users being able to consistently access their equipment, no matter their access modality. Unfortunately, there really is not an "industry standard" among wheelchair manufacturers for attaching AAC devices.

Often I sell the same chair mount, but there is an attachment piece necessary to join the mount to the chair. And those parts vary significantly. 

Regardless of which AAC vendor you are working with, your Sales Rep should be able to help you, but will be better able to do so with some specific information.

If the Rep has not been involved in choosing/selecting the appropriate device (because you are such a comfortable veteran AAC therapist) you will need to tell them what device your client wants, and what the access methods are.

Some wheelchair manufacturers are pretty cut and dry when it comes to recommending attachment parts. For example Permobil and Quickie Power Chairs have a version of channel nuts. Once I hear we are mounting to those chairs, I really don't need much other information or photos. Other manufacturers might require a 1 inch tube (side clamp, or tube clamp) and other manufacturers require different dimensions.

Photo Angles

The Rep may need pictures of the chair. I cannot tell you how many times I've asked for a picture, and received a lovely picture of a smiling child or adult suitable for a holiday card, but offering no insight regarding the chair! So, take a look at the "Photo Angles" picture to see what your Rep is likely looking for. Smiling pictures of your clients are always welcome, but not always helpful in this situation.

Other considerations may include: does the end-user have a lap tray? Is there a preference for which side the mount is on? This can be dictated by pre-existing equipment on the chair (ie: joy-stick). Or maybe a caregiver needs to do chair transfers to one side due to their own health/medical issues.

I hope this post facilitates acquiring the correct mount for your clients.

Happy therapy!