LOMAH Disability Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#141 - New Models of Team Collaboration and Literacy Initiatives May 11, 2021

Show notes

Changes require new ideas and ways of thinking. When considering literacy instruction and the teams responsible, where is the path of least resistance? This episode is a brainstorming session yielding ideas such as whole team vs segmented IEP writing, how to spearhead a comprehensive literacy movement in your school, and how Covid may have introduced models of instruction that bring more consistency to each child's team.

About the Guest: Christopher R. Bugaj, MA CCC-SLP

Joining us is Christopher R. Bugaj, MA CCC‐SLP is a founding member of the Assistive Technology Team for Loudoun County Public Schools. Chris co-hosts the Talking With Tech podcast featuring interviews and conversations about augmentative and alternative communication and has hosted The A.T.TIPSCAST; a multi‐award winning podcast featuring strategies to design educational experiences. Chris is the author of The New Assistive Tech: Make Learning Awesome For All, published by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Chris is the co-author of Inclusive Learning 365: EdTech Strategies for Every Day of the Year (which is available for pre-order now) and The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools both of which are also published by ISTE. Chris co-authored two chapters for a book published by Brookes Publishing titled Technology Tools for Students with Autism. Chris co‐produces and co‐authors the popular Night Light Stories podcast which features original stories for children of all ages. Chris has presented over 500 live or digital sessions at local, regional, state, national and international events, including TEDx.

This interview is part of a 15 episode series in season 5 focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.

#140 - An Alternative to Big Box Curriculum May 04, 2021

Show notes

Many educators are required by their district to use prepackaged curriculum sets. While these sets are very user friendly, they often do not follow a comprehensive literacy approach to learning and assume reading level equates thinking level. As a result, many learners are either left behind or lack access to age appropriate materials and cognitive concepts.

About the Guest: Don Johnston, M.S.

Don didn't read his first book until the 9th grade after he was inspired by a very special teacher. He learned to make "movies in his mind" which was the key to his learning. This was influential in the visual supports in Readtopia. Don has wanted to bring visual learning to other students his whole life. Now it's a reality! Don made Readtopia his full-time passion, driving the development forward. He embedded himself in many Readtopia videos, talking directly to students on-location from around the world.

Links to Mentioned Content

Readtopia
In addition to Readtopia, Don and his team have created a variety to literacy materials to support comprehensive literacy instruction including First Author, Snap & Read, CoWriter, Quizbot, and UPar
Download a free copy of Don's book, Building Wings
For the parent pricing of Readtopia call the office at 847-740-0749

This episode is part of a 15 episode series in season 5 focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.

#139 - The Comprehensive Literacy Approach: Putting It All Together Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

Comprehensive literacy instruction at the emergent stage includes shared reading, predictable chart writing, alphabet and phonological awareness, writing, and self directed reading. Comprehensive literacy instruction at the conventional stage includes reading comprehension, word study, writing, and self directed reading. This episode gives a fly on the wall look at how to put all of these aspects together to support literacy instruction should you have your learner for the entire day, or only at bedtime.

About the Guest: Kim Rankin of Hold My Words

Kim is a mother of eight and grandmother of four. Her twenty-eight consecutive years as a homeschool mom has given her opportunity to be a lifelong learner. Most recently, the needs of her youngest child, Nathaniel, has pushed her into the AAC world and given her reason to explore teaching literacy to a complex communicator. She is a frequent online contributor and speaker at events focused on AAC and literacy.

Links to Mentioned Content:

Kim's website
@holdmywords on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest
Comprehensive Literacy for All by Dr. Karen Erickson and Dr. David Koppenhaver
Pictello
Talking AAC conference

This episode is part of a 15 episode series in season 5 focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.

#138 - Literacy Instruction & Physical Disabilities: Casting a Vision for Doubters Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

Is there a part of you doubting literacy is truly possible for ALL learners regardless of degree of disability? Or, perhaps you are on the other side of the ring trying to convince others that lacking the ability to see, or move extremities, or speak does not exclude literacy possibilities. This conversation addresses common belief barriers and removes them with a new vision from an educator who has experienced the truth that literacy is truly possible for ALL.

About the Guest: Dr. Caroline Musselwhite

Dr. Caroline Musselwhite is an assistive technology specialist with more than 45 years of experience working with children and adolescents with significant disabilities in a variety of settings, including Head Start, clinics, developmental day programs, homes, and the public schools. Dr. Musselwhite has written a number of textbooks and "how-to" books on a range of topics, and has also authored many books and software programs for youth with disabilities. She has presented thousands of workshops throughout North and South America, Australia, Europe, and Africa, and is a founding member and Fellow of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Honors include: Foundation Fellowship (West Virginia University), Educator of the Year (ARC, North Carolina), Honors of the Association, (North Carolina Augmentative Communication Association), and DiCarlo Outstanding Clinician Award (North Carolina Speech-Language-Hearing Association), and ISAAC Fellow.

Links to Mentioned Content:

Dr. Musselwhite's website is filled with information, tips, and tricks, including how to make the page fluffers she mentioned.
Dr. Musselwhite's Teacher Pay Teachers store where you can download a variety of customized and original educational materials.
The internet is heavily populated with many of Dr. Musselwhite's webinars. A google search of her name will direct you to dozens of clips.
Literacy for All in Canada
Comprehensive Literacy for All book by Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver
Readtopia
Episode 50 of the LOMAH Podcast about self determination strategies with complex communication users with Erin Sheldon

This episode is part of a 15 episode series in season 5 focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.

#137 - Literacy Instruction & Physical Disabilities: Choosing the Tools Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

Given the right accommodations everyone is capable of reading and writing, even those with the most significant physical disabilities. This is the first of 3 episodes tucked into our 15 episode literacy series that will focus specifically on learners with physical disabilities. Here, we learn of several tools that make literacy instruction accessible and how to choose the best accommodations.

About the Guest: Gretchen Hanser, PhD

Dr. Hanser has worked in the field of assistive technology and literacy for students with significant disabilities for over 20 years. She is an educator and an occupational therapist. Her primary focus has been on augmentative and alternative communication and literacy for students with the most significant disabilities. She has worked in a variety of educational settings developing model classrooms, developing school based assistive technology centers, providing teacher and related service provider trainings, participating in assistive technology assessment teams and working directly with students and staff in the classroom. Gretchen has taught university classes and presents nationally and internationally on these subjects. She is currently the Director of Assistive Technology at the International Academy of Hope in New York City.

Links to Mentioned Content

SETT framework
Article found at Closing the Gap
This blog post from Jane Farrell provides examples of several alternative pencils
Another blog post from Jane Farrell
Files for flip charts and eye gaze frames on the Center for Literacy and Disabilities Studies website
Dynamic Learning Maps module on emergent writing
Dr. Hanser's Teachers Pay Teachers resources (coming soon)
Online books to connect with a switch: Tar Heel Reader, Public Library, Epic Books, Book Flix, and Tumble Books
Readtopia

This episode is part of a 15 episode series in season 5 focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.

#136 - Conventional Reading Strategies Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

It is important for learners with disabilities to have ample time in emergent reading and writing skills so as to build a solid platform for conventional literacy strategies. How do you know when that platform is ready to support more complex literacy instruction? This episode answers that question and lays out the areas to focus on when teaching conventional reading strategies, specifically for learners with disabilities.

About the Guest: Dr. Sally Clendon

Sally Clendon, PhD is a speech-language therapist with expertise in literacy instruction for children with complex communication and learning needs particularly those who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Sally completed her PhD at the Centre for Literacy and Disability studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006. Since then Sally has held academic appointments in Australia and New Zealand. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy in the Institute of Education at Massey University in Auckland. Sally presents nationally and internationally and has worked consultatively with several schools across New Zealand to implement a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction for their students. Sally looks forward to sharing her passion for literacy and all that she has learned from working alongside teachers and students to ensure that ALL children have access to the communication and learning opportunities they need.

Links to Mentioned Content:

Comprehensive Literacy for All by Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver - relevant for this episode are chapters 6 (Whole-to-Part Model), Chapter 7 (Comprehension Instruction), and chapter 10 (Making Words)
Making Words by Patricia Cunningham
Emergent Literacy Assessment in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Have Limited Verbal Communication Skills: A Tutorial
List of on level age appropriate books for older learners - Pinterest page and a list on Jane Farrall's website

This show is part of a 15 episode series in season 5 focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.

#135 - Writing Strategies for Learners with Disabilities Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Learners move through 14 stages of writing as they progress. This episode focuses on the earlier stages of writing and how we can best support learners with disabilities in moving through each while avoiding common mistakes.

About the Guest: Jane Farrall

Jane Farrall is a speech pathologist and special educator passionate about literacy, AAC and assistive technology. After 30 years in the disability and assistive technology field, she has lots of practical experience working with people with a range of abilities. Jane has worked as both a therapist and literacy teacher. She has also worked as an assistive technology specialist and is currently working as an independent consultant, running workshops and consulting with schools around Australia. Her consultancy works focuses on implementing AAC and comprehensive literacy for all students.

Links to Mentioned Content:

Jane has two websites that are a dream for anyone interested in deep diving into literacy instruction techniques. At www.janefarrall.com one will find workshops, presentations, online corses, blog posts, resources, and a way to contact Jane should you wish to utilize her consulting services. At www.comprehensiveliteracy.com one will find education on implementing emergent and conventional literacy methods as well as AAC.
Developmental Writing Scale - explanation and examples of each of the 14 levels
The Do's & Don'ts of Writing

#134 - Emergent Reading Strategies for Learners with Disabilities Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

Often learners with disabilities are not provided ample opportunities for emergent literacy skills to solidify. This episode presents 4 questions to identify if our learner needs more time with emergent literacy strategies and several practical applications to build emergent reading skills.

About the Guest

Sofia Benson-Goldberg PhD, CC-SLP works as a research assistant at the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies. Prior to starting her PhD studies, Sofia had her dream clinical job working, with children, teenagers, and young adults with severe physical and cognitive disabilities with complex communication needs at a small private practice in Northern Colorado. Since joining the CLDS, Sofia has been a research assistant on Project Core and Tarheel Shared Reader among other projects. She looks forward to continuing her academic career with a post-doctoral fellowship at the CLDS on Project Open.

Links to Mentioned Content:

Comprehensive Literacy for All by Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver
Shared Reader is a project that uses Tarheel Reader but built in supports for adults to implement shared reading. Especially check out the professional development modules to learn more about how to implement shared reading.
Project Core was a project aimed at creating supports for teachers/school teams in supporting students with significant cognitive disabilities in accessing communication all day, every day. Professional development modules are free and cover a range of topics regarding communication and emergent literacy routines.
Tarheel Reader is a free website full of books that can be accessed by a variety of access methods. Thousands of titles, really great for shared reading and independent reading/exploration.
Dynamic Learning Maps Professional Development

This interview is the 3rd of a 12 in the series focusing on literacy instruction for students with disabilities.

Find Sofia on Instagram @sofia_phd_slp

Find Kim on Instagram @journey2lomah

#133-Communication? Literacy? Or Both? Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

Literacy instruction has historically used mostly verbal strategies so when learners are non speaking how is literacy supposed to be taught? This episode addresses a common literacy instruction mistake used on learners utilizing speech generating devices.

About the Guest:

Tina Moreno, M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her undergraduate degree from Kent State University and attained her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Cleveland State University. At the CCBDD, Tina serves individuals 3 and up in a continuum of settings, including homes, schools, workplaces, community residences and day programs. She evaluates the communication needs of students from preschool through transition years with an emphasis on AAC assessment and implementation, training, and collaborating with educational teams and families. She presents on the topics of AAC and literacy at national conferences. She is inspired to help ensure everyone can communicate, read and write. Tina is mom to Mateo, a 21 year-old AAC user. With her friend Gina Cunningham, she is Co-Director of Camp ALEC, a weeklong, overnight summer camp that focuses on literacy and AAC designed for children with complex communication needs offered in Grand Rapids, MI each summer. There, educators receive intensive training under the direction of Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver in evidence-based assessment and instructional strategies in literacy for children with complex communication needs.

Links to Mentioned Content:

This show is part of 12 episodes in season 5 focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities

#132-Changing How We Think About Literacy and Disabilities Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

The tide is beginning to shift regarding how literacy is approached for students with disabilities, specifically those with complex communication needs. The first step is exploring what we believe to be true about students with disabilities. What are the dangers in assuming literacy is not possible? On the flip side, is assuming competence too simplistic? We will discuss these ideas as well as why access to the entire alphabet is needed, the gateway social media offers, and allowing the necessary time for emergent literacy skills to solidify.

This episode is the second of twelve focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.

About the Guest: Rachael M. Langley, MA, CCC-SLP

Rachael Langley is a speech-language pathologist working as an Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) Consultant in Michigan. Her 18-year career has focused primarily on supporting students with complex communication needs. A two-time graduate of Michigan State University, Rachael is one of the founders and organizers of the #TalkingAAC Conference, a conference focused specifically on AAC learning. Rachael has presented at local, state, and national conferences. She enjoys creating graphics and other materials related to AAC implementation.

Mentioned:

Comprehensive Literacy for All by Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver
Talking AAC Conference
Rachael's Website
Links to sites Rachael recommends:

Project Core

Dynamic Learning Maps Professional Development Models

Literacy for All (Edmonton, Canada)

Relevant Episodes:

Episode 48: Augmentative and Alternative Communication with guest Rachael Langley
Episodes 49&50: Person Centered Planning and AAC with guest Erin Sheldon
Episodes 36 - 46: Safety Series in season 2
Episode 93: How to Get Assistive Technology into the IEP with guest Lisa Lightner

Find Kim on instagram as @journey2lomah where she often shares in IG stories the application and experimentation of literacy strategies we are learning in these episodes.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected