Welcome back to the Take AACtion Podcast! This week we are joined by Nikki, a proud mom of three from New Jersey and the owner of Schultz Speech Therapy, a small practice dedicated to providing neurodiversity-affirming care. With a passion for the DIRFloortime® approach, Nikki focuses on supporting gestalt language processors and AAC users, empowering children to communicate in ways that work best for them.

(4:21) Nikki introduces us to the principles of DIRFloortime® and how the framework can be generalized into practice. (7:20) She then breaks down how AAC is incorporated into DIRFloortime®, and how the approach complements therapy. (20:22) This leads Lauren and Nikki into a discussion on how building executive functions is often the starting line for effective therapy, and coaching parents on its importance. (23:15) Nikki shares one of her success stories, where noticing individual needs supported effective intervention. (28:28) This leads Nikki and Lauren into a discussion about how we can acknowledge past mistakes so that we can learn and grow from them moving forward. (30:01) Nikki leaves us with tips on how we can support parents and clinicians when introducing individual, play-based techniques versus compliance-based approaches. As always, (38:08) Lauren gives us a TakeAACtion Step- check out the resource library to help!

Learn more about DIRFloortime®: https://bit.ly/4fgIW3g

• Instagram: @schultzspeechtherapy

• @inspireconnections.aac on Instagram

This week, Lauren is joined by Vidya, a mom to an eighteen year old son on the spectrum. Her son is non-verbal and uses AAC to communicate. She is on a mission to help fellow Autism parents to help their children with Autism without overwhelm through her blog, podcast and social media.

(1:05) Vidya introduces herself by sharing the pathway she and her son have followed, leading them to their current AAC system and supports. As her path has included a move from Canada to the US, (12:49) Vidya shares the different in supports that have been available. (18:49) She shares challenges with incorporating AAC into daily living, as well as (26:47) the rewarding aspects. (36:55) Vidya leaves us with some achievable ideas for parents and providers supporting AAC users. Lastly, (45:22) Lauren gives us a Take AACtion step to better support our community of AAC communicators.

Follow along with Vidya on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest @autismfamilystory or on her blog, https://autismfamilystory.com/. You can also listen to her podcast, autismfamilystory podcast, on your favorite podcast streamer!

• @inspireconnections.aac on Instagram

Welcome back to the Take AACtion Podcast! This week, (2:25) Lauren hosts a solo episode guiding us on how to have successful conversations about AAC. (4:42) She reminds us that goals and needs are set by AAC users, not practitioners, (5:33) which drives how we can go into challenging conversations about AAC use. (13:18) We are given three steps designed to have productive discussions and expand perspectives when team members are working from different belief systems around AAC implementation. If you need some guidance getting started with your why, what, or how, check out the resources below!

Take AACtion with Lauren:

This week we are joined by Melissa, who is both mom to an AAC user and SLP! She has been practicing for 14 years across various settings. (1:13) She walks us through her deep dive into AAC learning, as well as (2:22) her journey in pursuing services and supports for her son. (6:14) She then shares with us how she balances having her professional brain turned on while still needing to have her parent brain running, too. (7:36) This jumpstarts a discussion between Lauren and Melissa about unexpected interpersonal challenges, as you try toc f2 balance being a parent whose professional knowledge can support your parenting in a two parent home.

(9:42) Melissa shares challenges implementing at home, and how it has shaped how she coaches parents and coworkers. (12:14) She then gives some tips for creating language routines that create language opportunities. (18:42) Melissa also shares how she creates environmental supports to shape communication behaviors into language opportunities, and (23:35) some helpful ideas for whether you are a parent or an SLP supporting an AAC user. (25:46) Melissa wraps us up by sharing the most rewarding aspects of bringing AAC into their home.

Lauren leaves us with her (29:08) Take AACtion step. Need some help getting started? Follow along with Lauren!

• @inspireconnections.aac on Instagram

This week we are joined by Anna, who describes her experiences with AAC implementation as a recent graduate. Anna is a first-year speech-language pathologist in Northeast Ohio, completing her CFY, (clinical fellowship year) in a pediatric clinical setting. She primarily works with autistic individuals and AAC users.

Anna kicks off our episode (1:20) by describing her unique education pathway, where she completed a certification in Early Intervention prior to attending Speech-Language Pathology graduate school. (3:21) She describes her experience learning about AAC at the graduate level, which set the foundations for AAC evaluation and implementation in practice. However, due to the expansive nature of AAC, not everything can be covered in a semester course! This leads to (7:08) challenges when evaluating in practice and (9:23) the imposter syndrome of simultaneously being the expert on your team while still having so much more you can learn. Anna shares her tips for (12:16) having difficult conversations with team members to move toward collaboration, and away from common practices that have been mistaken for best practices.

Lauren and Anna go on to discuss the (14:24) successes and (18:54) challenges that prepared Anna for tackling her CFY. Then, Anna shares practices that have helped her feel successful as a brand new SLP both in her (20:19) work and in (28:56) developing a work-life balance. They wrap up (33:16) with tips to feel confident taking on AAC, no matter your overall level of experience. Lauren leaves us with our (38:43) Take AACtion step- this episode may have helped you take it!

This week we are joined by Laura, who shares her first-hand experience of how AAC can improve quality of life for users and their families. Laura is the parent of Ethan, a non-speaking, Autistic little boy who has been using AAC for about 6 months now. Ethan is the happiest little boy & a whizz with technology - at times it can feel like communicating via an AAC device was made for him.

By tuning in you will hear (1:35) Laura introduce herself and her son, (3:27) describe Ethan’s various methods of communication, and (6:09) their family’s journey through trialing communication apps and readiness to embed AAC into everyday life. (9:33) Laura shares the hurdles she has experienced through introducing high-tech AAC, as well as the (15:37) triumphs they have shared. (19:13) AAC has been a resource that has provided life-saving advocacy skills to Ethan through (26:26) Laura’s advocacy for Ethan’s AAC access. Last, but definitely not least, Laura shares helpful tips for (32:01) communication partners new or old, and (39:20) becoming comfortable with learning a new AAC system. (44:00) Lauren wraps us up with our Take AACtion step, reminding us to keep dispelling those AAC myths!

Continue to follow Laura & Ethan’s story on social media @SpinningWorldOfAutism

Keep learning with Lauren:

Raise your hand if you've ever felt overwhelmed by modeling without expectations 🙋

This week's solo episode is here to help reframe what that looks like so that, no matter your experience level, you can be a confident communication partner to an AAC user.

By tuning in, you will learn (1:27) basic definitions around modeling, as well as (6:29) how to reframe modeling without expectations and (9:58) set the foundation for successful implementation. Additionally, you will hear how to (12:20) creating routines for consistent access, (15:52) learn through navigating an AAC system, and (18:52) provide opportunities for communication. Our episode wraps up at (21:00) with some (23:32) helpful resources. Thanks for listening!

Resource links:

@inspireconnections on Instagram

Upcoming masterclass Wednesday Oct. 9, 8:30PM: https://bit.ly/3TMCOqT

Resource library: https://bit.ly/TakeAACtionResources24

This week we are joined by Shelley, who is a music therapist who works closely with AAC! She shares about all things music, collaboration, and learning AAC. As an intern she started to dive into the world of AAC and now it is an integral part of her professional mission. She provides practical tips and ideas for working with music and incorporating it into AAC implementation!

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This week we are joined by Christina to talk about cultural considerations with AAC. During the episode we talk about we can move culture to the forefront of the AAC process by included families from the start and feature matching. We discuss the different customization options that are available and how to navigate more challenging cultural considerations. Enjoy!

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Ready to take your learning one step further? The Take AACtion Podcast Resource Library is available for just $25! That means each week your get a resource for about $1 that extends the learning of the episode! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/takeAACtion24