 |
The Preschool SLP: KellyVessSLPAuthor: Kelly Vess, MA, CCC-SLP
Get ready for all things speech pathology: AAC, ADHD, Apraxia, Articulation Therapy, Autism, Behavior, Early Intervention, Executive Function, Evidence-Based Practice, Gestalt Language, Literacy Intervention, Movement, Multi-Modal Cueing, Narratives, Partnerships, Phonological Awareness, Sensory, Speech Strategies, Target Selection, Technology, Telehealth, and Self-care. Be better. Do better. Create better. Make the world a better place, one person at a time. You're first. Join Kelly every Thursday and at the drawing board. Do better with easy step-by-step 'how-to's' with ready-for-use printables and over 100 video clips of best practices, check out Kelly's book "Speech Sound Disorders: Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment." It is available at Amazon and major booksellers internationally. If you learn from doing and work with children with special needs, join Kelly's Sparkle in School Membership. Make intervention EASY with weekly ready-for-use materials and Google Slides Decks sent to your inbox. Check it out today at kellyvess.com. Thoughts to share? Email: Kelly@KellyVess.com Language: en Genres: Education, Education for Kids, Kids & Family, Language Learning Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
226. Using Storybooks to Boost High-Tech AAC Skills: The MODEL Method
Thursday, 30 July, 2026
If you work with children who use high-tech AAC, this episode is a can't-miss. Learn a simple, research-backed framework for turning any storybook into a rich language-learning opportunity for kids using speech-generating devices. Before diving into strategy, we tackle the mindset shift so many clinicians need around high-tech AAC: you don't need a training course or a cheat sheet to get started. Think of the device like a hotel remote control. The fastest way to learn where everything is: just start pushing buttons. From there, we break down the MODEL method, a five-step framework for using AAC during storybook reading: M – Model: Provide a completion prompt to get the child to the right "channel" on their device. O – Opportunity: Step back and give the child space to independently find the symbol. D – Demonstrate: If needed, offer a prompt (like pointing) to help the child locate the target. E – Expand: Add a "plus one," a new word or concept that builds on what the child found. L – Like: Model a comment or opinion, inviting social language beyond simple requesting. We also cover... • How to use backward chaining so children build independence over time • Why fluency with a child's AAC device matters just as much as fluency in any shared language • How to layer in multimodal supports, including sentence strips, printed words, and 3D objects, to reinforce vocabulary • A real walkthrough using the book Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell Take Action: A free AAC Implementation Toolkit is waiting for you! If you're a parent or professional who has worked with a child using a high-tech AAC device or tablet-based AAC app in the past year, your experience matters. The survey takes 15–20 minutes, and your answers will directly shape resources used by SLPs, educators, and families. 👉 Complete the survey today: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1FHfcoyCK3z5vJs What You'll Receive Immediately After Completing the Survey: 1. AAC Goal Bank: 64 ready-to-use goals for high-tech AAC 2. AAC Training Video: A 20-minute training on the MODEL storybook approach, ready to share with parents and colleagues 3. AAC FAQ Handout: Answers to parents' most common questions about high-tech AAC All three resources are available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. Don't wait. Click the link above and complete the survey today to get your toolkit sent straight to your inbox. Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a colleague who works with AAC users.
