I can...say Goodbye

The I Can Newsletter was first published in May 2007, with an issue related to playing board games. This was in response to a request for ideas to be used in a classroom. Since then, we have covered dozens of topics, including going on a road trip, using social media, talking about math and using switches. We have tried to include resources that we've found helpful in our own practice. In the early days, I Can was sent out via email blast and evolved over time to the blog you see today. Along the way, we've learned lots about blogging and have had fun exploring topics that we think might interest our clients, their families and their school teams. We have now decided that the blog has run its course and that this will be the final I Can post. 

We hope that you will still look back through the archived issues of the blog, to find answers to some of your questions, websites of interest and just to get some ideas for using AAC in everyday activities.The Blog Archive sits along the left side of the blog and has a search function at the very top so you can look up blogs on a specific topic quite easily! 


We will leave you with some of our favourite websites, blogs and resources that we go back to time and again.  Thank you for following our blog and remember, You Can.....be a difference-maker for your children who use AAC!




Something to watch out for!
"Speechless" is the new TV comedy about Maya DiMeo (Minnie Driver), a mother who is willing to do anything for her family. Her son, JJ (Micah Fowler) has cerebral palsy and uses augmentative strategies for communication. Maya will fight for justice in order to give her son what he deserves. It's on at 8:30 on Wednesday nights on ABC. 

Tar Heel Reader is a collection of free, easy-to-read, and accessible books on a wide range of topics. Each book can be speech enabled and accessed using multiple access methods including touch screens, an IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1 to 3 switches. You may write your own books using pictures from the huge collection at Flickr or pictures you upload and you can publish to the Tar Heel Reader site once they're finished so that others can enjoy your book!!!

Some new ideas every day!

Praactical AAC never fails to deliver on sharing information that is truly practical and helpful for families, educators and clinicians.  

Jane Farrell is a leader in the field of AAC and has lots of experience to pull from.  She also has an amazing blog where she shares her ideas and suggestions for supporting literacy, AAC and other Assistive Technology. 



Uncommon Sense is Dana Nieder's honest and humorous blog where she talks about her family's journey with communication, AAC and different things they've tried with their daughter Maya who uses AAC.  It's always a great read and has LOTS of great resources!


And you can't forget SET BC! 
SET BC maintains searchable databases of resources that are created and updated by dedicated professionals working with students who use assistive technology in British Columbia, Canada.  
CurriculumSET is a searchable database where you can find, download, and customize activities, templates and public domain accessible books based on the curriculum as set out by the British Columbia Ministry of Education.  
PictureSET is a collection of downloadable visual supports that can be used by students for both receptive and expressive communication in the classroom, at home, and in the community.  It allows you to find a wide range of visual supports for curriculum areas, activities, and events. 

AAC Intervention
Here you'll find years and years worth of "Tips of the Month'' with free practical suggestions for teaching & learning AAC strategies, writing using alternative tools, literacy development, participation and the list goes on and on!!!  They also have resources that you can purchase for more in depth information.  The Links section takes you to lots of other fabulous expert resources that are great to have in your communication toolbox!  


VocaliD - be a voice donor!!!

Over ten million people rely on text-to-speech devices that use synthesized speech to express themselves. There is a limited pool of voices available, so whether they are young or old, male or female, shy or outgoing — they all speak with similar voices. VocaliD is a voice company that is using voice blending technology to create unique vocal persona for any device that turns text into speech. 14,000 speakers from over 110 countries have already contributed over 6 million sentences to their growing spoken repository but in order to continue to create these unique voices, they need more!!! Please, visit the VocaliD site to learn more about how you can add to this voice bank from the comfort of your own home!


Something to inspire!  
Watch "Talk to me" -  a short video where Pheobe helps to raise awareness of living with a disability and using AAC.   

I can...play board games!

Kids love playing games with their family and friends.  Try adapting a popular game so that kids who use Augmentative Communication can increase their participation. We have chosen Don’t Spill the Beans® by Hasbro to provide you with some ideas on how you might adapt a game.  Think about the games you have in your class to see if students can take a more active role when playing.

Vocabulary Ideas:  To hear what kids really say when they play board games, invite a group of peers to play the game and make a list of what you hear.

Here are some ideas for general game vocabulary:

My turn	Move my piece please	No cheating!
Your turn	Roll the dice	This is fun!
I win	No fair	Whose turn?
Roll again	What number did you roll?	Pick a card
Do you want to play?	Can we play again?	Can I go first?
I quit	Yes/No	Hey, I was supposed to go!

Specific vocabulary for Don’t Spill the Beans® by Hasbro

Don’t spill the beans!	Uh-oh!	You spilled the beans!
Be careful	Try another one	He’s tipping
Yeah	Can you put a bean on for me?	Put it to the right/left
You have more beans	Put it in the middle	This is easy
This is getting harder	I think it’s gonna spill	Watch out
Ahhh!	You spilled them	It’s not my fault
Oh no!	It’s getting close!	I’ll get the beans out

• Try making the communication display in the form of the board game or game character.
• If there are specific characters on the board game, try colour photocopying the board and cut out the characters to use as symbols.
• Make individual Picture Communication Symbols (PCS).  Kids can either point or look at the symbol they want.
• Make or buy oversized dice – easier to throw and to see
• Use a wooden playing card holder or Playdoh® rolled out to hold the cards 

Light Tech Ideas 

Sequential Message Device: You can record a variety of phrases that allow a student to comment or ask questions about the game. For example:

• Who’s winning?
• Is someone cheating?
• Is it my turn yet?
• This is fun!

Simple voice output devices: Create communication overlays based on vocabulary needed for the game. Use intonation to make the messages more meaningful.

High Tech Ideas

• Most high tech devices will allow both recorded speech as well as synthesized voices. Try using recorded speech to make messages more expressive e.g. “I win!”, “No fair”, “Is it my turn yet?”
• Try using scanned images of the characters in the game.

Resources for playing games:

• All Turn It Spinner: The switch-activated All-Turn-It spinner has a large dial with a pointer. When a switch is pressed the dial turns and stops randomly. A great alternative to rolling dice and so much more! http://www.ablenetinc.com
• Electronic Spinner: Players push the middle button on the spinner and watch as the numbers light up. http://www.superduperinc.com
• Board Games: Here is a list of popular children’s board games http://www.boardgames.com/chgaandboga.html