This week on TWT, we share the second half of Rachel’s interview with Carly Stoltenberg! Carly is an SLP who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) two years ago. At one point in her recovery, Carly was paralyzed and unable to speak. In the second half of the episode, Carly shares what she has learned about valuing the uniqueness of each person in our care, and why honesty about her struggles with GBS has led to greater, more meaningful connections with others! Key ideas this episode: ...
May 21, 2019•58 min•Ep. 80
This week on TWT, we air the first half of Rachel's interview Carly Stoltenberg, an SLP who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome two years ago. At one point in her recovery, Carly was paralyzed and unable to speak. Carly shares her amazing journey to regain her ability to walk and talk, and how this has shaped her passion for positive thinking and patient advocacy! Key ideas this episode: 🔑The critical need for patients to be able to communicate with medical professionals during treatment...
May 14, 2019•49 min•Ep. 79
This week, Chris interviews Charlie Danger, an occupational therapist from the UK who specializes in assistive technology and AAC! Charlie shares from his fascinating experiences working with AT and AAC in Qatar, including how to increase our understanding of other cultures and the importance of learning about our own! Key ideas this episode: 🔑 Importance of encouraging more than requests from AAC users 🔑 Why “different but not less” applies to both cultural and neurological differences 🔑 Str...
May 08, 2019•46 min•Ep. 78
This week, Chris interviews Longwood University graduate students Shannon Graham, Courtney Kaczmarek, Lizzie Llewellyn, and Payton Yates! Key ideas this episode: 🔑 Students’ research on ways people, like teachers, learn AAC 🔑 Benefits (and challenges) of 1:1 instruction 🔑 Value of encouragement from mentors and supervisors For complete show notes and research discussed in the episode, visit bit.ly/twtpodcast Earn CEUs for listening to Talking with Tech and more at linktr.ee/talkingwithtech...
Apr 30, 2019•45 min•Ep. 77
This week, Rachel interviews speech-language pathologist and mindfulness meditation leader Melanie Pensak! Melanie offers nature-based and home-based speech-language therapy services through her business, Destination Speech. In addition to her work as an SLP, Melanie leads wellness workshops and meditation groups, and specializes in helping therapists and parents prevent burnout and increase joy! Melanie believes that being aware of the present moment is a “superpower” that everyone can use to l...
Apr 24, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 76
This week, Talking With Tech is re-broadcasting the second half of our March 31st Facebook Live episode with Matt Hott, host of the SpeechScience podcast! Continuing where they left off last week, Rachel discusses how a AAC Clinical Speciality Certification could benefit SLPs in private practice, and why we should focus on how certification affects AAC users, not just ASHA members. Chris shares ideas about possible “microcredentials” that demonstrate expertise in particular sub-specialty areas, ...
Apr 16, 2019•35 min•Ep. 75
This week, the TWT team is re-broadcasting the first half of our March 31st Facebook Live episode! Rachel, Chris, and Matt Hott of the SpeechScience podcast took questions from listeners about the ASHA AAC Clinical Specialty Certification. During this free-flowing discussion, they share concerns with the “expert” model, why Specialty Certification may help improve graduate-level AAC instruction, and how a Specialty Certification could impact private practices working with AAC. Rachel and Chris a...
Apr 09, 2019•40 min•Ep. 74
If you are interested in learning about the proposed ASHA AAC Clinical Speciality Certification, don’t miss this week’s interview with Dr. Katya Hill! Before the interview, Rachel shares why her jury duty was not as bad as she had expected, and why taking a step away from work can be so helpful. Next, Rachel and Chris discuss new AAC users who repeatedly press all (or only one) of the buttons on their device, and why this doesn’t need to be actively discouraged for the behavior to fade. Finally,...
Apr 03, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 73
In this week’s episode, Chris interviews proficient AAC user and Prentke Romich Company (PRC) Ambassador Lance McLemore! Before the interview, Chris is joined again by his wife, Melissa Bugaj! Melissa and Chris discuss the first ever International #ATChat, which focused on AAC and Access. Next, Melissa discusses her recent experiences with students who use AAC. Melissa shares about learning to increase wait time, how AAC devices are helping users to demonstrate competencies for alternative asses...
Mar 26, 2019•59 min•Ep. 72
This week, Rachel and Chris connect with Chris’ wife, Melissa Bugaj to talk about what makes a successful IEP meeting! Melissa is Dean of Special Education at Loudoun Valley High School and has lots to share about effective meetings, including the need for open and transparent communication, the importance of agendas, and why involving parents before the IEP meeting is so important! Rachel also shares about her experiences with IEP meetings, and why, whenever possible, Rachel tries to talk with ...
Mar 20, 2019•53 min•Ep. 71
On this week’s episode Rachel talks about her impromptu solo trip to Hawaii and how she balanced both disconnecting with technology and using technology to keep her connected to friends and family. Chris opens up a broader discussion about productivity hacks and minimalism with therapy materials. In this week’s interview, Chris talks with four members of the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Regional Network (WATRN) about creating a grassroots community to support AT & AAC. The four guests this...
Mar 13, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 70
On this week’s episode of Talking with Tech, Rachel interviews Sarah Whyte, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) specializing in AAC & AT for the adult neurogenic population. Sarah has instructed the AAC course at Vanderbilt University and led the AAC program for outpatient neurogenic rehabilitation at Vanderbilt Medical Center. She has presented on numerous occasions about AAC for the adult neurogenic population, including acute-care patients, ALS ...
Mar 05, 2019•46 min•Ep. 69
On this week’s episode, Rachel, Chris and Lucas answer listener questions for a second time! Topics include ideas for teaching the word “more," how to get siblings/peers involved in therapy, and how we can support AAC curriculum for home-schooled students! Interested in earning CEU’s by listening to “Talking With Tech”? Check out our course at bit.ly/twtcorepd .
Feb 26, 2019•37 min•Ep. 68
On this week’s episode Rachel and Chris discuss all things related to access with their special guest, Kelly Fonner. Chris talks about his book heading up the charts and Rachel and Chris discuss their most recent webinar, “ABC’s of AAC”. During Chris’ interview with Kelly, they talk about PODD (Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display). PODD is a unique type of AAC system where the vocabulary is organized according to pragmatic functions. This type of system is particularly useful for children wit...
Feb 20, 2019•48 min•Ep. 67
On this week’s episode, Chris talks about his recent tour of the FETC and ATIA conference circuit. Rachel and Chris discuss what it’s like preparing for a big presentation and how to get participants engaged in the material. In this week’s interviews, Chris has the pleasure of speaking with Christine Baudin (creator of the Facebook Group: “AAC for the SLP”). Chris also talks with amazing high schooler Michael Dicpinigaitis of Jericho Adapts Toys. Finally, Chris speaks with inclusive technology s...
Feb 13, 2019•49 min•Ep. 66
This week on Talking with Tech, Chris and Rachel talk about data management tools and technology that allows open lines of communication between caregivers, therapists, and parents. The TWT team also discusses the power of video clips for data collection, evidence of progress and team communication. Rachel mentions her latest obssession with the website “Loom” for video hosting and sharing. Chris and Rachel also mention a future “Listener Questions Answered” episode and ask listeners to send in ...
Feb 06, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 65
Interested in earning CEU’s for this podcast? Check out the course at bit.ly/twtcorepd . In this week’s episode, Chris and Rachel talk about balancing administrative tasks, service delivery and direct communication with parents and caregivers. Chris discusses ATIA and a session called “AAC Spotlight” where clinicians get a chance to present a problem with AAC implementation and then discuss different possible solutions. The TWT team discusses therapist and educator transitions that happen when a...
Jan 30, 2019•54 min•Ep. 64
Interested in earning CEU’s for this podcast? Check out the course at bit.ly/twtcorepd ! This week, Chris and Rachel talk about how to engage AAC users, improve their motivation, and why clinicians, not users, should be responsible for creating highly motivating activities. Rachel discusses how to utilize the iPad and augmented reality during therapy to create communication opportunities. The team also describes how to earn CEU’s for the “Talking with Tech” podcast (learn more at bit.ly/twtcorep...
Jan 23, 2019•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 63
This week, the TWT team interviews Russell Cross of the Prentke Romich Company! Russell is one of the authors of the Unity language system that’s been embedded in all PRC devices since 1996 and has spent over 30 years working in the field of AAC! Before the interview, Rachel and Chris discuss two of the important ideas covered in the interview: "phrasal verbs" and "key words". Phrasal verbs are essentially combinations of verbs with small words that, in combination, mean something new (e.g., "ge...
Jan 15, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 62
This week, Rachel and Chris discuss the recent article in the ASHA Leader, “The Pitfalls of Presumption” by Katie O’Neil and Rebecca McCarthy. They agree with some ideas in the article, including the importance a well-planned assessment and implementation. They talk about why the phrase “presuming competence” can be confusing, and why they both prefer the phrase “presume potential.” Chris and Rachel go on to share some of their concerns about this article being misused by some clinicians to defe...
Jan 08, 2019•52 min•Ep. 61
Happy New Year! This week, the TWT team would like to share five “Small Talks”, each 7 minutes or less, that we recorded with TWT guests Dana Nieder, Erin Sheldon, Lindsey Paden Cargill, Eleanor Francis, and Tabi Jones-Wohleber! In our first Small Talk, Chris chats with Dana Nieder about her 21-day modeling challenge. Dana shares about how she helped people to stay on track with the challenge, gave people new ideas for modeling, and bringing the device along with the family! Second, Erin Sheldon...
Jan 02, 2019•25 min•Ep. 60
Happy holidays from everyone here at the TWT team! This week, join Rachel, Chris, Matt Hott of the SpeechScience podcast, and Mai Ling Chan of the Xceptional Leaders podcast as they gather for a special holiday episode! These four podcast hosts tackle several “behind the scenes” questions about their podcasts, including: What is the hardest thing about being a podcast host? What is the dumbest thing you have said when recording? Why did you say “yes” to starting a podcast? We hope you enjoy list...
Dec 25, 2018•51 min•Ep. 59
This week, the TWT team interviews Curt and Ana Warner! Curt and Ana are authors, presenters and the parents of four children, including two boys with autism. Before the interview, Chris and Rachel discuss questions that Chris received during a recent assistive technology event, including: How can we hear more success stories from users? Where should we store large backups of AAC devices? Why is feature matching important? They also talk about Joy Zabala’s SETT framework (student, environment, t...
Dec 19, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 58
The TWT team is excited to bring you more interviews from ASHA - this week from Jenna Rayburn Kirk of Speech Room News, Marlene Cummings, and Matt Hott of the SpeechScience Podcast! Before the interviews, you won’t want to miss Rachel and Chris’s discussion of coordination between school and private SLPs! What happens if there is disagreement about the best AAC solution? Why do we need to communicate and come to agreement about this? How can we collaborate more effectively? How can even parents ...
Dec 11, 2018•57 min•Ep. 57
This week, the TWT team presents three live interviews from ASHA with Jill Senner & Matt Baud, Meredith Poore Harold of The Informed SLP, and TWT listener Ashley! Before the interviews, Rachel and Chris talk about all the great things that happened during Rachel's time speaking, connecting, and learning at ASHA 2018! Next, we hear from Rachel’s interview at ASHA with Jill Senner & Matt Baud! They briefly discuss Jill & Matt’s talk on parent instruction and partner-augmented input wit...
Dec 05, 2018•54 min•Ep. 56
This week, the TWT team interviews Erin Sheldon, literacy and language development specialist for AssistiveWare and school inclusion consultant! Erin shares from her experiences working with visually-impaired AAC users, both professionally and as the parent of a teenager diagnosed with autism and Angelman Syndrome. Before the interview, Rachel and Chris discuss some of their experiences with visual impairments and AAC, including teaching a student with CVI to communicate with visual & audito...
Nov 27, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 55
This week, TWT interviews Adrienne of “Learn with Adrienne”, an SLP who specializes in early intervention. Through online videos, she has taught thousands of people how to use sign language to support a child’s language development. She and Rachel discuss several topics, including how sign language and high-tech AAC can be used as part of a multi-modal approach! Before the interview, Chris and Rachel talk about motivation and why it is such an important part of any intervention. Rachel shares a ...
Nov 20, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 54
This week, TWT interviews Jenna Rayburn Kirk, the ultra-creative school-based SLP, blogger, and TPT contributor! Jenna shares about how she got started creating resources, the kinds of AAC resources and materials that she thinks are effective, and how she continues to try and create resources that people really need! Before the interview, Chris and Rachel discuss their own experiences with making materials and, in Rachel’s case, why she recently decided to create a Teachers Pay Teachers page. Ra...
Nov 14, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 53
This week, TWT interviews Dana Nieder about her journey as an advocate, writer, AAC specialist, speech-language pathologist, and AAC mom! Dana shares about how she always presumed her daughter’s potential, why she shared about her experiences on blogs and social media, and what her many experiences have taught her about AAC! Dana shares many helpful insights, including: How to deal with members of the circle of support who believe that an AAC user must “prove” they can use a high-tech device bef...
Nov 06, 2018•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 52
Join the TWT team this week for a roundtable discussion about writing Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals for students with complex communication needs (CCN). Topics discussed in this roundtable include: Why augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices should be used in early intervention and not just as an ‘intervention of last resort” for students with CCN. Using the accommodations section to detail what the student needs as part of his or her free appropriate public educatio...
Oct 30, 2018•43 min•Ep. 51
