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AAC Voices Online
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Starting in the time of crisis related to the Novel Corona Virus/Covid19 AAC Voices is offering inexpensive, online group sessions for children and young adults who use AAC. All groups/classes are 40 minutes long. The majority of participants are emerging to context depending communicators. Many, but not all, have developmental or intellectual disabilities, or a neurodevelopmental syndrome. The expectation is a helper is available to model language and assist the AAC user in navigating their device. It is understood that some children may need assistance with regulating their sensory system, as well. We do NOT model AAC during the group as there is such a wide variety of language systems in use, which is why we hope every child has a helper to model language. If your child is new to the group please give a few days for the child to adjust to the group, try not to compare your child to children who have had weeks or months to get to know the teacher and other students, it takes time to build connection and routine. If your child has a specific need or if you need guidance we offer a bi-weekly parent/helper Q&A session. Finally, professionals are welcome to observe groups if they provide prior notice and keep their mic and camera off.
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Class Offerings
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Starting 1/22/24 AAC Users (at any level) ages 5 and up can take:
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Other Classes That May Be Offered/Have Been Offered
Price Structure
See Rate Sheet
Registration fee (billed per semester, this is only required for families needing itemized receipts, monthly invoices or other documentation because the family is seeking reimbursement from a third party (school districts, etc.) $100
Late registration fee, per week $10
- Calendar with Kate (M, W, F only) This group addresses pointing, eye tracking and yes and no through song as well as working on time concepts and weather. For AAC users of any level, ages are flexible but may be best suited for ages 3-10.
- Friends and Fun The topics of Friends and Fun rotate daily. On Monday we work on social skills and sharing. On Tuesdays we take a virtual field trip or tour. On Wednesdays we play a group game. Thursdays we write poetry and on Fridays we cook a simple no cook or microwave only snack or dessert.
- Music, Art, Drama aka MAD This class offers a variety of musical activities, art (not craft) projects based on the work of famous artists and drama therapy sessions with licensed drama therapist Lauren Basler
- Let’s Talk About Sex: Sexuality Education for Teens and Adults with developmental disabilities and complex communication needs uses an adapted version of the Curriculum: Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities, which is an Evidence Informed/Trauma Informed Curriculum
- Drama Club is a group that works on developing communication and social skills through drama activities. These activities include improv, and acting and creativity building games. Taught by Lauren Basler, a drama therapist, and Kate Ahern, AAC teacher.
- Science with Dr. Sarah Taught by guest teacher Sarah Weirich this class introduces students to the scientific process by having them complete fun, exciting yet simple science experiments
- Talker Power Designed to improve communication skils in AAC users with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Complex Communication Needs and their caregivers. Caregivers are a vital part of this class and take an active part. This class addresses empowerment (through self-esteem, self-regulation and self-talk) using parts of the Zones of Regulation program (we use the zones, and coping skills; we do not use Superflex/Rock Brain or Size of the Problem) as well as the four communication competencies in AAC, as researched by Janice Light. These are:
- Linguistic (ability to use expressive and receptive language well)
- Operational (ability to operate the speech system)
- Social (ability to use social and pragmatic skills to connect with others)
- Strategic (the ability to think about and use skills to increase others understanding what you are saying)
Price Structure
See Rate Sheet
Registration fee (billed per semester, this is only required for families needing itemized receipts, monthly invoices or other documentation because the family is seeking reimbursement from a third party (school districts, etc.) $100
Late registration fee, per week $10