AT for Preschool

Preschool Categories

AT Systems/AAC

The AAC section contains links related to augmentative and alternative communication strategies at the preschool level. There are several Web sites that address AAC and young children that are included in this section. The various links include information on classroom environments, curriculum, use of AAC in the preschool setting and other issues relating to AAC and the young child.

AAC Intervention, Inc.
The AAC Intervention Web site provides resources for EC professionals to create communication and visual environments for children through emerging literacy approaches. Links and key resources for where to begin with early AAC are listed, including books and demonstrated strategies by Pati King DeBaun, Carol Goosens, and Linda Burkhart.
AT Basics: Communication Needs by Julie Maro and Lori Tufte
An introduction to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for students 5-10 years old is addressed in this training module. However, the information can be adapted and applied with preschool children. The focus of the training module is designing quality programs for students who have AAC needs, engineering communication environments, organizing and training team members, and developing appropriate lessons and materials.
AT Discussion Page/CA Dept. of Education
Jill Rivers, Speech/Language and Assistive Technology Specialists in California answers questions about AT preschool including using a communication device with a preschooler and a review of AAC with young children.
Georgia Project for Assistive Technology
Valdosta State University in GPAT. GPAT provides a range of assistive technology professional development and technical support services to local school system staff, students, and their families. The Assistive Technology Resource Charts, particularly the AAC Devices for Preschool, is a downloadable resource guide to determine appropriate devices for individual children.
JFK AT Quick Guides
The AT Quick Guides were carefully developed by an interdisciplinary group of experienced health care providers and educators form both JFK Partners At University of Colorado at Denver. They are intended to provide a very brief overview of when and how assistive technology (AT) might be beneficial for a child who has developmental delays in one or more of the following domains: communication, adaptive skills and cognition, fine motor, gross motor, self-help, and sensory.
Preschool AAC Checklist by Judy Henderson
The Preschool AAC Checklist and video "Getting Ready for ABCs with AAC" was developed through a grant from United Cerebral Palsy and is designed to monitor a student's development in AAC skills and technology use through the developmental ages of nine years. This tracking system is to be used by teachers, parents, and therapists. Distributed through Mayer-Johnson Co. (800-588-4548 or www.mayer-johnson.com) and Saltillo Corporation (800-382-8622 or www.saltillo.com).
Project Participate
Project Participate is a federally-funded project under the JFK Partners at University of Colorado. It provides ideas for low-tech communication aids using inexpensive materials that are readily available in addition to low-tech devices that are relatively inexpensive for beginning communicators and supplemental communication aids for more advanced AAC users.
Simplified Technology
The Linda Burkhart site called Simplified Technology includes handouts on making a mouse house and making a talking switch from radio shack. The site also reviews AAC suggestions for classrooms. The site lists other resources available for purchase on AAC.
Speaking of Speech
Speaking of Speech offers ready-made overlays for songs, games, activities in Boardmaker and PDF formats. The Web site is an exchange site that allows users to provide their own versions of Boardmaker ideas.
University of Nebraska Web Site on AAC
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies assist people with severe communication disabilities to participate more fully in their social roles including interpersonal interaction, learning, education, community activities, employment, volunteerism, care management, and so on. This AAC Web site is designed to provide access to a wide range of information and resources related to the AAC effort. It is maintained by the Barkley AAC Center and the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska. Several useful links for preschool communication development are provided, including Early Vocabulary lists to assist in the development of communication aids.
YAACK
“Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Connecting Young Kids (YAACK)” (Ruth Balinger, 1999) is a Web site that covers issues related to AAC and young children. Its purpose is to provide information and guidance to families, teachers, speech/language pathologists and anyone else who is involved with a child with special communication needs. It is intended to be easy to understand and practical, and to cover a wide range of topics dealing with AAC and AAC-related issues of children at various ages and stages of communication ability, and with different strengths, disabilities and learning characteristics.” The Web site was produced as part of her Master’s project.

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