Beth Waite, MA-CCC/SLP-ATP

Assistive Technology Specialist, beth@bethwaitetech.com

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                       New Year, New Social Skills Groups!                        

If you are looking for a social skills group to help your 8-10 year old son learn conversation skills, how to make and keep friends, problem-solving, conflict resolution and group interaction all while having fun - I have a group for you!  Beginning January 9th the Detectives will start their winter session in Indianapolis.  We'll meet for one hour a week to search for social clues to help improve interaction skills.  Lessons, role-play, group games, video modelling, and hands-on activities will be used to keep the boys engaged and motivated to learn.  This group is designed for boys with social skill challenges as a result of an Autism Spectrum or Mood Disorder.  For more details, call Childrens' Resource Group at 317-575-9111.

Have an older son with social skill needs?  The Navigators, boys ages 11-13, will begin their winter session on January 9th as well.  Topics include good empathy/perspective-taking, conflict-resolution, stress management, and other topics important in middle school.  We have a great group of young men who meet weekly and would love to have more join us.  Call 317-575-9111 for more information.



 Girl Scouts and Technology

It's been a long time since I went to a Girl Scout meeting...but last week I was invited to share information about augmentative communication with a local Girl Scout troup.  They were super interested and asked great questions.







Social Skills Groups forming for Fall:    If you are looking for a fun, effective social skills group for your son or daughter call Childrens Resource Group/CRGA today!  Currently groups are forming for boys on the Autism Spectrum and with emotional disorders.  I personally will be running an hour-long  group once a week called Girl Power for girls with mild cognitive disabilities, ages 13-17.  I'll also be leading a group of boys on the Autism Spectrum.  These groups will help students learn appropriate conversation skills, good sportsmanship, making friends, problem-solving, and more.  We will use evidenced-based practices, including role-play, social stories, video feedback/modelling, hands-on activities and technology.  Best of all...we are going to have fun making new friends and learning new skills.  For additional information, call (317) 575-9111.

 

 

 

Hamilton County Autism Support Group

 
Race for Autism - June 11th, 2011
 

 

 
 
SUMMER 2011 WORKSHOPS 
Assistive Technology For Struggling Students Summer Series 2011 
 
Are you looking for AT/AAC training with a hands-on approach? Do you want more personalized instruction than what you can get in an on-line format?  Need simple, straightforward training with easy to implement suggestions?  These workshops will be held June 16th, 22nd and 23rd at the Indiana Wesleyan Education and Conference Center in Indianapolis.   Click on the "Summer Workshops 2011" tab to get details and the registration form.   
 
1) ABCs and AAC:  Teaching Reading with AAC  Devices - THIS SESSION IS CLOSED.
this session will share ideas for incorporating literacy and learning into the curriculum for nonverbal students at the pre-reading and early elementary level. Learn the different reading approaches that can be used with these students and how to incorporate use of devices such as the Springboard Lite, Vantage Lite, Dynavox V and more into the classroom.  Rachelle Wright, an educator and reading specialist with 20 years of experience, will be sharing her knowledge in reading strategies giving us a fresh perspective on AAC and reading.  We'll share information about various speech generating devices, features, and videos of students.
 
2) iPod/iPad UNIVERSITY:  Learn to use the iPod Touch/iPad to Reach and Teach Students with Autism and Developmental Disabilites - this all day session is back by popular demand.  Whether you just got your iPad or have had it for awhile, this session will take you through the built-in features as well as using apps for a variety of academic and functional purposes. Dave Lafever, Rehabilitation Engineer, guides you through the built-in features of these devices as well as using iTunes and the app store.  I will show how to implement these devices for academics, behavior shaping, organization,  communication  and more through demonstration of apps and video examples.
 
3)  Video Based Interventions for Students with Autism - THIS SESSION IS CLOSED: you've heard about video modeling but there is more to it than just pressing "record".  Learn the difference between various video based instruction techniques (modeling, self-modeling, prompting, feedback), how to identify your behavioral goal and which strategy will help you meet it. Learn how to then script it, shoot it, edit it and use it effectively with your students.   Liz Farmer, behavior consultant with over 25 years of experience, explains how to use various video-based interventions for specific skill development and behavior shaping.  We'll share numerous case studies and video examples we've created while sharing step-by-step directions on how you can use these strategies with your students, too.
 
Recent iPod University Training:
Staff of Anderson Community Schools hosted
an "iPods as Assistive Technology" training at their lovely Tanglewood Conference Center on February 18th, 2011. 
            
       
 
 
 
 
  
Using a playstation controller to access the computer?
 
 
One of my students with vision and fine motor challenges can't type on a regular keyboard, but he is amazingly fast with a Playstation controller.  So, with a free download and a Logitec game pad, he can now use the same motor pattern he uses for video gaming with an onscreen keyboard and word prediction to write. Another student with Muscular Dystrophy has difficulty using a mouse, but is awesome with the controller and onscreen keyboard.
  
 
www.alltogetherwecan.com/ Here is a great website for curriculum support for students of all abilities - look for information about using the WII remote for an interactive whiteboard and more!
 
Assistive Technology Article from Indiana Therapists Quarterly - click here to open the Indiana Therapists Quarterly Summer 2008 magazine which features an article about Assistive Technology and education and photos of some of my students.
 

   

 I'm Wild About Wiki's......
 
 
What's a Wiki, you ask?  It is an easy to create and edit website that is perfect for online collaboration between groups who have news to share.  Teachers, students and parents can have a Wiki, family members can have a Wiki, even YOU could have a wiki.
 
You can set your Wiki properties so that anyone on the web can find it, or just whomever you give rights to - the same with editing it.  To watch a great video explanation of a Wiki go to:  youtube wiki videoStill need handholding to get your WIKI up and running?  Lots of tutorials on the web at www.wikispaces.com, www.wetpaint.com, www.pbwiki.com .
 
Here is a Wiki I set up for teachers at my school.  www.technewsforteachers.pbwiki.com - let me know if you would like to learn more about Wikis's.