By - Heather Prenovost, M.S., CCC-SLP & Melissa Hoy, ClinScD, CCC-SLP, PRC-Saltillo AAC Consultants
If you have not had a chance to check out the 2022 calendar, it is not too late! In fact, the calendar activities can be used at any time and in any order. PRC-Saltillo's calendar most closely supports the WordPower vocabularies available on NovaChat devices and the iOS TouchChat application, but the activities and strategies can be used with individuals using other vocabulary files like Unity and LAMP Words for Life. Each year has a different theme that takes us on a new adventure! This year we are putting our science caps on and diving into different experiments and learning experiences. You can find the digital version of the 2022 calendar and lab book here.
As part of the 2022 calendar, we introduced TAAP. TAAP is a great strategy to use with AAC learners to create communication and language growth opportunities. Let’s break this down:
T: Talk about it! You can talk about what’s happening in front of you. We can comment or state an opinion to encourage our learners to join in with their thoughts. It is a great way to share and show things too.
A: Ask a question. Remember to ask open-ended questions (“What do you think about this?”) versus a question that only has two potential answers (“Do you like it?”). These kinds of questions encourage communication and participation in the conversation.
A: Acknowledge via response. Let your AAC learner know that we hear them by responding to what they say. We want them to know that they have been heard and that we want them to be part of the conversation. If what they say doesn’t exactly fit the context, you can help them by reframing or redirecting their message.
P: Propel the conversation and/or predict. Continue to talk and model by predicting what may happen next. This keeps the conversation going and creates conversational turn taking. This is also a great way to model our thoughts and ideas of the AAC learner.
Use the TAAP strategy and the suggested word tips in the table to model while reading the recommended book for the month. Next, move beyond the reading activity and TAAP your way throughout the day. You can TAAP during your morning or evening routines, TAAP at the playground, or TAAP during a peer activity. Make sure to add in other words that will make sense for your learner and keep the interaction going.
Whether you are playing with magnets or making snow, our science-themed calendar has a variety of new experiences to create, enjoy, and TAAP all year round!
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