CHAT Communication and Complex Learners: Before the Device 9/22/25 Linda Jordan to Host and panelists: Good afternoon friends! Sara Kitchen to Linda Jordan, host and panelists: Hi Linda! Lynne McAlister to Linda Jordan, host and panelists: Hi Linda! Christina Abbracciavento to Everyone: Good morning from Australia. Lynne McAlister to Everyone: Welcome!!! Suzette Moser to Everyone: Thank you! Tyhesha WHITLOW to Everyone: thank you and good afternoon all Christina Abbracciavento to Everyone: Wave Kathy Jakul to Everyone: S-Books, D-emotions Heather Lightfoot to Everyone: conversation hearts. Brenna Brillhart to Everyone: Typing is static, for now~ Morgan Scholl to Everyone: written communication = static Suzette Moser to Everyone: yelling, reaching for a hand Jill Smith to Everyone: nodding; eye contact Judy Alford to Everyone: Giggling Stephanie McIver to Everyone: static printed books Darlene Daniels to Everyone: hand guiding to object Heather Lightfoot to Everyone: the valentine candy. its static until you eat it. Linda Jordan to Everyone: experience books about student Stephanie McIver to Everyone: dynamic zoom calls Charlene Troy to Everyone: Static-books. Dynamic/emotional responses Jill Smith to Everyone: other kids "borrow" it Melissa Nazal to Everyone: repeatedly hitting the switch Samantha Stidham to Everyone: While they might not be using the device intentionally at first, it does give staff an opportunity to model robust language Morgan Scholl to Everyone: auditory fishing Rachel Collins to Everyone: hit all the buttons Ann-Maree Foxe to Everyone: You can be modelling without expectation tot he student Samantha Stidham to Everyone: They might explore the device by trying out lots of different words to see what they say Linda Lucas to Everyone: Limited follow through in different environments Ann-Maree Foxe to Everyone: isn't that a type of babbling on the device which is appropriate Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: do you have evidence of a device causing social isolation? Ann-Maree Foxe to Everyone: No SLP at least AAC SLP would be saying only use the device to communicate We promote total communication approach Ann-Maree Foxe to Everyone: YES Suzette Moser to Everyone: yes! Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwtyzK7SyqZyfhh8E1ZVM2mVNK1_8D_SsBublXsAoM1gmLow/viewform Please share this new SLP-BVI Google Group with your SLPs! The purpose of the listserv is to collaborate on the needs of individuals who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind. The SLP-BVI listserv is an interactive forum for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs), and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) specialists. This platform provides a space for asking questions, sharing resources, and supporting one another as we work to strengthen our clinical skills and practices to enhance the lives of the unique students we serve. The SLP-BVI listserv is managed by the Assessment Center team and the Speech-Language Pathology department at the California School for the Blind. Shout out to Rebecka Henry for creating this new resource for SLPs! Shannon Miles to Everyone: Yes!!!! Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: For SLPs Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: Hi! It is currently for SLPs, SLPAs and AT specialists :) Hillary Keys to Everyone: @Shelby, even if we TVIs/TDBs cannot have access, I'm excited that there are people in the SLP world discussing the unique needs of these students and (I assume) sharing resources. Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: Thank you Hillary! Yes- we are hoping that the group will be a space for SLPs to ask questions, share success stories, and spread information! Please send the link to any SLPs that may be interested! Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: There is also a group for school psychologists and mental health practitioners. BVIPsych Google Group sign up form https://forms.gle/vwyd1PcFjSNuF3tZ7 Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: BVPsych is having a series of free webinars. The webinars are open to anyone to attend. BVIPsych Webinar Series webpage: https://www.csb-cde.ca.gov/resources/presentations/bvipsych.aspx Brenna Brillhart to Everyone: I'm in the BVIPsych group (as a lowly diagnostician). May Nguyen runs she group, and she is as smart as she is lovely! Heather Lightfoot to Everyone: As a mom, I find that if I stop rocking after 10 rocks, my child will indicate he wanted more. Do it over again. 10. stop. request. continue another 10. repeat that cycle. Brenna Brillhart to Everyone: California School for the Blind Assessment Center Team HAS IT GOING ON Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: THANK YOU BRENNA! Lynne McAlister to Everyone: That's awesome Heather! Heather Lightfoot to Everyone: (heart emoji)!! Belinda Fayard to Host and panelists: 10 minutes left Brenna Brillhart to Everyone: I worked with a lovely child and family who were moving from objects for communication to a very simple AAC system that presented 2 or 4 options at a time, but the presented options were actual pictures of the physical objects she has mastered using Brenna Brillhart to Everyone: I do not remember the name of the specific program they were using. But it was much more appropriate that some of the little friends I have met with 100 buttons on a screen and the need to navigate through multiple menus. I'll never forget the little kiddo that had an option for alcoholic drinks built into their AAC that has not been turned off Lynne McAlister to Everyone: That's hilarious! Ann Pimentel to Everyone: When you mentioned that communication only happens when there is another person? IÕve seen my students talk to themselves do you think communication can also happen within oneself? Whether it be speaking out steps or even encouraging oneself? Kathy Jakul to Everyone: confirming choice with student Suzette Moser to Everyone: he checked for understanding by asking the student to resign "music" Shelby Zimmerman to Everyone: also - it is important to remember that if you limit a child's communication to concrete symbols, they will miss out on learning concepts such as want, don't want, yes, no, etc. Only having concrete symbols can lead to a child only being able to request things. Suzette Moser to Everyone: she totally trusts him in that interaction.. Hillary Keys to Everyone: @Shelby, concrete symbols are a jumping off point for supported conversations. Stephanie McIver to Everyone: Thank you! :) Michelle Urias to Everyone: Thank you! Suzette Moser to Everyone: Thank you for the information! Christina Abbracciavento to Everyone: Thank you Lisa Jorgensen to Everyone: Thank you Lanna Slaby to Everyone: Thank YOU! Charlene Troy to Everyone: Thank you! Heather Lightfoot to Everyone: * waving hands * Belinda Fayard to Everyone: 092225 Melissa Nazal to Everyone: Thank you! Abby Peach to Everyone: Thank Alice Young to Host and panelists: Thank you Tressie Schindler to Everyone: Thank you very informative Melissa Gonzalez to Everyone: thank you