Episode 22: Introduction to the World of AAC & Apps for Adults with Michelle Wheeler, MS, CCC-SLP
“AAC is the most fun”
Michelle Wheeler has spent the last 13+ years providing AAC resources to children and adults. Michelle unravels the mystery of providing AAC options for patients by dispelling myths, describing her day-to-day work, and pointing us to online resources to learn more. Learn from a clinician, in the trenches who works directly with patients and school teams to connect people with modalities to enhance their communication needs.
Check out Episode 22 where Michelle Wheeler dives in deep on the topic of Voice and Message Banking titled “Demystifying Voice Banking”
“Just having time to get your hands on AAC, and play with it, I think kinda takes some of the scariness out of it.”
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Praactical AAC: tons of resources!
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Alternative Communication: webcast training
Tobii-Dynavox: What is AAC?
Saltillo: Implementation/Chat Corner
PRC: Prentke Romich: Education & Training
AAC Apps:
Speech Assistant (Free on Android, $$ for Apple)
Predictable ($$) you can download your own voice if you have done voice banking
Grid for iPad - AAC (trial version, subscription based)
TouchChat (used more on pediatric side) TouchChat with word power ($$)
LAMP Words for Life ($$)
Snap + Core (subscription based), Snap Scene
Co:Writer Universal (app and an extension on google chrome)
SmallTalk (Free; Lingraphica)
Excellent resource for addressing reading: http://talkpathnews.aphasia.com/ * You will need to sign up to utilize. But no worries, it’s freeeee! (Thanks to podcast listener and CEU earner, “LR” for the tip!!)
Michelle Wheeler is a speech language pathologist and expert in assistive technology. She has specialized in augmentative communication devices and alternative access since 2005. She is employed through the University of MO Healthcare system, Mizzou Therapy Services-Neuro in Columbia, Missouri. Michelle provides evaluations to adults and children throughout the state and is the evaluator at one of the Medicaid approved sites in Missouri. She has presented at the national conference ATIA, as well as many state and local conferences. Michelle teaches the Augmentative Communication class at the University of Missouri to speech pathology graduate students. Michelle provides guest lectures and lab opportunities in the area of AAC and assistive technology to OT, PT and special education students.
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