If you use TD Snap and want to tell some festive jokes over the holidays, I've added these pagesets to Pageset Central, search 'Christmas Cracker Jokes.'
The jokes come from the National Geographic for Kids website.
My son and nephew had a great time trying them out!
#AAC #AugComm #TdSnap
Story readalongs for TD Snap, now on Pageset Central. Search 'Bookbug.'
@scottishbooktrust.bsky.social gifts books to primary 1 children each year. @callscotland.org.uk provide symbol resources.
Purchase the books and download symbol resources for free at:
https://f.mtr.cool/guxcirnrxp
Fun lesson this week. Simple story and activities related to fireworks.
• PowerPoint story with Grid's See and Say gridset
• Props, signs, symbols, AAC boards & apps
• Boardmaker fireworks stamping
• Story made with Grid 'Read with Me' template
• Fizzing fireworks & art
• Grid interactive activities
A few years ago I shared links to free printable communication resources I compiled for families.
People kindly added to them. It later became a document with links & QR codes.
Now, it's a Wakelet of links, organised by symbol set.
wakelet.com/wake/v9jdOkO...
#AACaware
Collage of two photos, each showing a mobile phone displaying the Vocable AAC app on a mobile phone. On the left the button 'Please be quiet' is selected using head tracking access method and on the right the button 'I am hot' is highlighted, also with head tracking access method.
Spreading awareness of alternative access methods and AAC.
I showed my mum, son, niece and nephew how you can use the free text-based AAC app, Vocable, on a mobile phone with head tracking.
Available for iOS & Android devices, touch & head tracking access, pre-stored phrases, keyboard.
#AACaware25
A student with face blurred out, in a power wheelchair is sitting in front of an eye gaze device which is mounted on a floor stand. The eye gaze device shows a rating scale with the headings 'fast, ok, slow.' On the tray of the wheelchair there is an AAC device with a rating scale displayed on screen with the headings 'yes, maybe, no.' There is also a joystick on the tray.
An AAC system isn't just one method, tool or strategy. Trying different access methods, we revisited eye gaze. In the past people asked why she would need to use eye gaze when she has an iPad. Short answer: the iPad isn't the only, or most efficient means of communication and access at all times.
As it's #MathsWeekScotland I did a counting story with my son. My son loved organising the printed images for each part of the story. We counted, added and subtracted as we went. He also constructed sentences with AAC apps.
As always, the Communication Matters Conference was fantastic! I learned so much from sessions & conversations. Loved meeting people from online in real life.
Had the best introduction from the person chairing our session on Communication Passports.
Lots to think about, lots to explore!
#cm2025conf
Collage of the Communication Matters Conference and AAC Awards 2025, featuring three members of CALL Scotland staff, attendees, exhibition hall, decorated tables, a busy dance floor and the Communication Matters logo in the centre.
Joanna, Ceanna & Claire had a fantastic couple of days at the Communication Matters International AAC Conference 2025. Thanks to everyone who came by our information board in the exhibition hall and to our workshops. So many great conversations and connections made! Until next year!
#cm2025conf #AAC
👋
Added his own phrase to button "stop looking for the right people." Not sure if this was intentional but he was delighted with his creation.
Using AAC may or may not be a long term solution. Hopefully it will provide some ways to build confidence.
2/2
Collage of two photos. Top photo shows child's hand typing on the keyboard on an iPad with the Grid for iPad app. Bottom photo shows a child's hand tapping buttons on a an iPad on a topic page with conversation repair vocabulary on TD Snap for iPad.
Photo of child holding an iPad displaying a keyboard of the Grid for iPad communication app. The message window reads 'Steve lava dogs'
Collage of three photos showing a child holding an iPad and editing a button on a communication app, using the keyboard to input text. A large photo at the bottom shows a child selecting the new button with the text repeated several times in the message window.
Student speaks some words but can be misunderstood. He can agree or stop talking rather than repeat or explain. Using AAC we found words, topics and typed phrases he could use to advocate for himself.
He likes the Minecraft Movie. He copied quotes I modelled changing some words.
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Burnt orange background with white text advertising #CallLearn course titled Technology to Support SQA Digital Assessment Arrangements course starts 21st August 2025. Find out more and book by scanning the QR code or go to bit.ly/course21825. This is a 4 week course with weekly 1 hour workshops (4-5pm) www.callscotland.org.uk
Are you familiar with SQA Digital Assessment Arrangements? No matter if you are newly qualified or would like a refresh of requirements and implementation procedures.
Register via the link or QR code below to join us from next Thursday.
Bit.ly/course21825
#CallLearn
That's a great idea for the classroom/desk! 🤩
Photo of a Go Talk 4+ and Go Talk 9+ communication devices each with overlays with symbols and words. There are laminated symbol strips attached to the top in the style of a tabbed booklet
Photo of a Go Talk 9+ communication device lying on the grass. There is an overlay with symbols and words related to a story. Attached to the top is a laminated symbol tabbed booklet.
Photo of a desk with Go Talk 4+ a Go Talk 9+ communication device. There are overlays in each with symbols and words. Attached to the top of each is a laminated symbol tabbed booklet. Some other colourful and tactile materials are also on the table.
Photo of a child holding a Go Talk 9+ communication device. There is a shared reading overlay with symbols and words. Attached to the top is a laminated symbol tabbed booklet.
I first saw this idea shared by aacforall on Insta a few years ago. I made a few variations. The ones I've used the most are the core and fringe strip flip tops.
I love them as I can model core and fringe for different activities and a wider range of language functions.
#AugComm #AAC
I visited my sister's classroom as she was doing some prep for the new term.
We added to labels and visual supports to support instructions & routines, communication supports for activities and for any reason.
Video shows signage, AAC boards and posters, activity-specific visuals, visual sequences.
Does your child use communication apps? Struggle working out what is best? 🤔
We want to hear from families/carers who have children with speech, language and communication needs and are planning to introduce an AAC app on a touch device such as an iPad.
Find out more below👇
buff.ly/vvOqP9h
Or registering for a reminder, pre-order will be available from 23rd July.
Can't wait to read this! Pre-ordering my copy right now!
He began using the keyboard to talk to me. So I did too. We tried text-to-speech and some text-based AAC but he preferred having symbols too.
At the end, unprompted, he told me he'd had a good time. Made my day!
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Photo shows a child holding an iPad with the TD Snap communication app displayed on screen. The page has vocabulary related to communication repairs. The child is pointing to a symbol and the message window is full of vocabulary and shows various buttons have been pressed.
Collage of two photos, both with Smartbox Grid Super Core 50 communication app on an iPad. The first photo shows the words and symbols 'sandwich, tuna, ham' in the message window. The second photo shows the words and symbols 'chocolate, crisps' in the message window.
Photo of an iPad with the TD Snap communication app's keyboard displayed. A child's hands can be seen holding the iPad and one hand is typing a message on the keyboard. The message window reads 'I go out to play with my friend or.'
Photo of an iPad with the TD Snap communication app's keyboard displayed. The message window reads 'I have a good time.'
Working with a student who has unclear speech at times.
Tried some AAC apps. He used symbols to tell me what he was having for lunch and verbally added it was a packed lunch. We explored communication repair phrases to hopefully build confidence and give ways he can advocate for himself.
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To demonstrate how to share messages from WeaveChat AAC to others, we sent a message with symbols to one of my sisters.
Photo shows a table, on top of which is a mobile phone with the WeaveChat communication app's scrolling board and an iPad with Smartbox's Grid SuperCore 50 app open on the keyboard page. A child's hand can be seen tapping a symbol on the mobile phone.
Photo shows a table, on top of which is a mobile phone with the WeaveChat communication app's scrolling board, an iPad with Smartbox's Grid SuperCore 50 app and a Smartbox Touch Pad displaying the Grid dashboard. There are some books on the table behind the devices.
Visited a pupil who has Smartbox Touch Pad with Grid but isn't using it. We tried some of Grid's communication and curricular gridsets.
She likes using her phone to send emojis so we tried out WeaveChat AAC on a mobile phone as well.
Looking forward to exploring ways to personalise her AAC!
#AAC
Woman stands in front of a screen with a PowerPoint slide titled 'our accessibility journey'
Love this - each year S1 pupils are asked to set up their iPads. They change accessibility settings to suit them best. It is made clear that all iPads will likely look different.
#ASLTechnology25
@callscotland.org.uk
On the website you can find:
• How the event works for attending in person or online
• Support and information for joining online
• The programme, consisting of three pathways
• Information on suppliers attending
• Venue information
• Link to register
Last chance to book tickets for our annual ASL & Technology Conference! Tomorrow, 11th June.
Just £10 for 18 presentations and the chance to win prizes!
Attend in person, live online or register to receive the recordings!
Book now at: bit.ly/asl-tech25
@callscotland.org.uk
#ASLTechnology25
If you're going to try this out, make sure you choose the right transparency film for the type of printer you have.
Photo of a small light table with a child's hand in shot playing with colourful transparent plastic shapes. At the top of the light table there is a symbol communication board printed on clear transparency film.
Collage of two photos. The top photo shows a symbol communication board, printed on paper, on top of a small light table. A child's hand is in view at the bottom of the light table playing with colourful transparent plastic shapes. The bottom photo shows a symbol communication board, printed on transparency film with a child's hand at the bottom of the communication board.
Photo of small light table with a symbol communication board, printed on transparency film and lots of different coloured plastic shapes on top of the communication board.
I wanted to make visual supports and communication boards to use with light tables at my last school.
I experimented and printed on transparency film. My son tested one out. The second photo shows a comparison of paper and transparency film printed versions.
#AAC #AugComm
Photo of a group of six superhero figures. Four are holding black plastic ID card holders with screenshots of different AAC apps inside, two are holding printed communication boards.
Photo of four black plastic ID card holders with screenshots of different AAC apps inside.
Photo of four black plastic ID card holders with screenshots of the CALL Scotland shared reading communication board for Soundingboard inside.
Thanks to come.with.me.aac on Insta for sharing the idea. I've added some to my collection.
Toy devices are cute but that's not the only reason I like them.
We know how important play is for development. Including toy AAC devices in play promotes inclusivity, representation and exploration.
#AAC
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