2021-09-29 17:52
Presume competence is an AAC mantra we all have heard of. In this blog, I want to talk about how we put this important concept into practice.
What does Presuming Competence Really Mean?… Read More
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Blog on Autism, AAC, High-tech intervention, Speech therapy. Very relevant for Speech Therapists and Parents of children with Autism.
2021-09-23 01:45
We want communicators to light up on seeing their AAC device. We want them to be drawn to their device and be interested in using it. A communication device is the AAC learner’s voice… Read More
2021-09-21 06:44
Avaz Inc. presents ‘Insights with Avaz’, a free webinar series all through October to celebrate AAC Awareness Month. Register for these informative sessions by the best AAC expe… Read More
2021-09-21 05:48
October is AAC Awareness Month! We want to honor this month by giving away Avaz AAC app to a few lucky winners. Robust vocabulary and ease-of-use aside, this is just another great reaso… Read More
2021-09-15 12:39
AAC Awareness Month is right around the corner! As always, we are looking forward to seize this opportunity to amplify our efforts to empower people through communication. We’ve… Read More
2021-09-01 09:40
Schools across the world are beginning to reopen allowing children to be in physical classrooms instead of their virtual learning environment. This involves children getting ready to head ba… Read More
2021-08-25 12:10
Stimming or self-stimulatory behaviour is any repetitive body movement with or without objects. Everyone stims! When just before an interview we see someone cracking their knuckles repeatedl… Read More
2021-08-17 06:04
Teletherapy for AAC learning comes with many surprising benefits. But teaching generalisation of skills can be quite difficult in remote therapy. If you are not aware of the term ‘gene… Read More
2021-08-11 05:10
Although teletherapy has been around for years, it has only become commonplace since the pandemic started. Parents and caregivers have now come to recognize the benefits of remote therapy su… Read More
2021-08-06 16:59
Vanshita Srivastava is a bright young adult who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. She attends skills training at a special needs centre and loves interacting with her friends and family members… Read More
2021-08-04 10:46
Questions are a part of any conversation. We ask and answer questions several times when talking to someone. It may be for many reasons. We can use them for our basic needs( Can I have somet… Read More
2021-07-27 05:19
If we want AAC users to achieve communicative competence, we need to focus on building the five component skill areas as proposed by Janice Light. Operational competence is one of the five s… Read More
2021-07-20 13:03
What kind of questions to ask to maximize engagement with AAC learners? While close-ended questions are quite common, read this blog to understand how open-ended questions can set the commun… Read More
2021-07-07 17:34
Tele practice has become the norm of the day and AAC Teletherapy is no exception. With all the tools available in various platforms, Tele AAC can be as good as, if not more effective than in… Read More
2021-06-28 07:03
Books with no words?….YES.
These books are so versatile that they can be used with children of any age or disability the main reason being there is no text involved here. Children… Read More
2021-06-22 17:54
Do you think children enjoy asking questions or answering them? More often than not, it is the former, right? This is because questions not only allow children to learn more about the stuff… Read More
2021-06-20 17:07
The beauty of a robust AAC system is that communicators who start out using pictures can go on to use text and gain language and literacy skills. They can learn to type words on the Keyboard… Read More
2021-06-15 05:08
Often when communicators are using only single words, there is a certain amount of frustration involved at the inability to go beyond expressing limited ideas. Moreover, emergent communicato… Read More
2021-06-10 09:39
Prompt is a cue or instruction that you give a user to help them learn a new skill. There are different types of prompts such as gestural and verbal that you can use to motivate a user to le… Read More
2021-06-01 17:16
Open-ended questions are important to encourage self-determination skills while binary choices may be a great way to encourage choice making in beginning communicators. Let’s take a lo… Read More
2021-06-01 13:00
When AAC is fully integrated into everyday activities, learning AAC can become easier for the communicator. Especially, when everyone in the AAC user’s life is using it, it presents mo… Read More
2021-05-25 17:36
Communication is a crucial component of social interactions that helps us to convey our ideas, thoughts, feelings, and opinions. We typically tend to use gestures, facial expressions, speech… Read More
2021-05-25 17:35
Saying ‘No’ is an important skill for emergent communicators to learn. The ability to refuse/ reject builds choice-making and paves the way for self-advocacy. It also gives a sen… Read More
2021-05-24 06:42
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a type of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) system that enables individuals to communicate using visual symbols. It was… Read More
2021-05-20 13:45
Apple has announced a bunch of accessibility features that will be rolled out later this year across all its operating systems. It also launches a new service on May 20th called SignTime tha… Read More
2021-05-18 16:48
AAC is all about making connections
The ability to communicate and express themselves allows AAC users to have meaningful interactions. This enables them to foster bonds with near and de… Read More
2021-05-13 12:22
Managing money is an important life skill. By teaching money to kids early on, you can prepare them to become self-dependent. Some of the financial skills that all individuals need to learn… Read More
2021-05-07 17:51
Food is widely regarded as a great motivator for emergent communicators. Not without good reason. Most of us wouldn’t mind driving an extra mile to get our favorite food
But food ma… Read More
2021-05-06 09:25
Telling time is an important as well as a tricky skill for all children to learn. It involves the ability to plan and multitask and have an integral working memory. While neurotypical childr… Read More
2021-04-27 16:35
Individuals with Autism may often experience meltdowns. Sometimes, this may be because they hold back their natural instincts to display behaviour that is considered appropriate by society… Read More
2021-04-21 06:10
With Avaz app, there’s no need to scroll through folders to take screenshot after screenshot to print your vocabulary. Getting a low tech version of a communicator’s vocabulary i… Read More
2021-04-20 07:59
April 22 is observed as Mother Earth Day by the United Nations. This presents a great opportunity for us to discuss simple ways in which we can protect our environment.
Here a… Read More
2021-04-20 07:50
April is Autism Acceptance Month and we want to highlight autistic voices so that people on the spectrum get to control the narrative about Autism.
This guest post is by ‘theg… Read More
2021-04-11 11:19
This Autism Acceptance Month 2021, we want to talk about Inclusion in the Workplace. We are happy to write about Café Arpan, an eatery well known for its mouthwatering food and awe-in… Read More
2021-03-29 13:30
Avaz is happy to bring you this guest post by Kamini Lakhani, who is an advocate for autism awareness and empowerment.
Kamini is the authorized Director of Professional Training, Relatio… Read More
2021-03-23 06:26
April is Autism Acceptance Month! We are celebrating neurodiversity by giving away Avaz AAC app to a few lucky winners. Robust vocabulary and ease-of-use aside, this is just another great re… Read More
2021-03-22 18:36
Generalization is when a communicator can apply a skill they learnt in different contexts and settings. According to Stokes & Baer, 1977, Generalization is ‘the occurrence of a beh… Read More
2021-03-16 15:00
Down Syndrome, named after Dr. John Langdon Down, is a genetic condition caused due to an extra chromosome present in human cells. The additional chromosome alters the course of cognitive, l… Read More
2021-03-16 14:57
April is Autism Acceptance Month! Acceptance is seeking to understand the strengths and challenges of individuals on the spectrum. It’s about recognizing attitudinal barriers that get… Read More
2021-03-11 17:23
Sabotage, according to vocabulary.com means ‘to destroy property or hinder normal operations’. Who in their right mind would think sabotage can lead to anything good? When… Read More
2021-03-09 17:58
If an individual seems to show little interest in a communication system, we cannot be hasty to assume that AAC is not for them. There are several factors that influence why someone is not i… Read More
2021-03-05 04:07
Aided Language Input or Modeling is a proven strategy that helps communicators to gain communicative competence. Video modeling is similar to modeling in that we show the learners how to do… Read More
2021-02-22 18:24
A ‘Hi’ may be the start of a beautiful friendship between two toddlers and “Say Hi to your friend” may be the script that made that possible. The ability to have a co… Read More
2021-02-18 16:54
Reading comprehension and connecting all the details of a concept may be difficult for learners with disabilities. Semantic mapping is a strategy that helps learners with disabilities to ide… Read More
2021-02-16 18:05
We all love it when it’s time to reap the rewards of our efforts. Rewards make us happy. They motivate us to continue with our efforts or do better. When we receive a compliment or see… Read More
2021-02-16 05:53
Most toddlers are able to sing the alphabet song in their sleep because of the catchy music or the delightful visuals in the videos they’ve watched. They had learnt alphabets without e… Read More
2021-02-12 17:15
Mary is a child with autism who throws his book at others when his teacher asks him to go to the school cafeteria for lunch. This behaviour is not only considered socially unacceptable but M… Read More
2021-02-10 11:49
Everyday is a day to love and show kindness to those around us. Valentine’s day gives us just another excuse to celebrate the awesomeness of love in its many forms. E-hugs and air kiss… Read More
2021-02-02 19:13
Effective communication plays a pivotal role in determining the quality of our lives. It impacts our interpersonal relationships and opportunities to get quality education and employment. It… Read More
2021-02-02 14:22
Our daily lives require us to make several transitions from one activity to another. Moving from a preferred activity to a must-do activity is something most of us may struggle with. Individ… Read More
2021-01-28 11:31
Books are a gateway to a world of information and knowledge for young kids. Children get to pick up more than just language while reading. Fables and fantasy books kindle their imagina… Read More
2021-01-22 15:33
Language stimulation strategies play a significant role in emergent communicators developing their communication and language abilities. Strategies such as Self Talk and Parallel Talk help c… Read More
2021-01-20 16:05
We know that aided language Input, also known as Aided Language Stimulation (ALS), or modeling is a proven strategy that helps AAC users become better communicators. But often there are seco… Read More
2021-01-12 13:00
Most parents and siblings of AAC users are often unsure of how to support a communicator to use their AAC systems. This impacts the communicator’s progress because the skills they lear… Read More
2021-01-10 17:37
Children who have sensory processing issues have difficulties with receiving and responding to sensory input. They can experience hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity, or both at once. They m… Read More
2021-01-06 07:58
Anxiety is a common and natural emotion we feel in response to stress. We all feel anxious from time to time. But when anxiety disrupts our everyday lives, it becomes a cause for concern. Ch… Read More
2021-01-04 14:17
When children learn to write, it opens doors to literacy and more social interactions. Young adults with complex communication needs will feel more included when they can text each other or… Read More
2020-12-22 11:34
As we wrap up this eventful year, here’s a look back at all the happenings of 2020. The overwhelming feeling for Team Avaz while preparing for the new year is that of gratitude… Read More
2020-12-20 12:15
Yay to Us! We made it through a tough year and now it’s time to celebrate ourselves and those around us for showing real character while facing many challenges.
The holida… Read More
2020-12-18 13:56
We are excited to announce that Avaz AAC app is now available in Hungarian. This is a brilliant addition to the list of languages we support that includes French, Danish, Sinhalese, Bang… Read More
2020-12-16 08:52
The holiday season is here and there’s a festive spirit in the air that signifies hope and joy. There’s also fun and excitement on the cards as children look forward to their win… Read More
2020-12-09 18:37
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) provides a means for people with complex communication needs to express themselves. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your AAC implem… Read More
2020-12-09 16:33
Prompts and cues play a vital role while learning a new skill. They help the learner gain confidence and spurs them to complete a task. This helps them achieve goals that may have seemed bey… Read More
2020-12-08 04:47
Many individuals with Rett Syndrome may have deficits in communication. They may exhibit prelinguistic behaviours such as vocalizations, eye gaze, head/body movements, laughing, etc. Only fa… Read More
2020-12-06 14:18
Teletherapy has found a resurgence of sorts in recent times. There are several advantages to remote therapy, the foremost one being that it’s a big time saver. However, attending onlin… Read More
2020-12-04 17:37
Communication is a basic right. Believing in the prerequisites for AAC myth can potentially derail a child’s path to autonomous communication and literacy. Imagine being denied your ba… Read More
2020-12-02 16:26
Sequencing is the ability to organize thoughts, actions, language, and events in order. We use it everyday while we talk, plan or engage in daily activities. According to available research… Read More
2020-12-01 18:01
There are a lot of things that need to fall in place for a learner to write meaningful text. Shared writing is an interesting way to get emergent AAC learners to understand the nitty-gritty… Read More
2020-11-26 10:38
December 3 is observed as International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the world over. We are excited to offer a 50% discount on all products on Dec 3, 2020 to show our commi… Read More
2020-11-25 18:43
Communication breakdown happens when a child attempts to communicate something and the partner has not understood it. A good communication partner uses repair strategies to help the child ge… Read More
2020-11-25 05:55
There’s a lot to be grateful for this year. We may be social distancing but the pandemic has definitely brought families closer. This Thanksgiving, as we enjoy the feast with our loved… Read More
2020-11-22 18:14
AAC is a wonderful solution for children having communication deficits due to developmental disabilities and other speech disorders. While we support communication, we also need to focus on… Read More
2020-11-22 16:58
Every parent would love for their child to grow into independent adults. Independence need not mean that they lead their lives without ever having to rely on others. So, an autistic child ma… Read More
2020-11-18 02:40
Getting an AAC device is a significant step towards ensuring better outcomes for a child with complex communication needs. However, that is only the start of the child’s communication… Read More
2020-11-17 03:52
It is undeniable that parents are best placed to understand a child’s needs. It is equally indisputable that experts can help a great deal in supporting a parent to understand what a c… Read More
2020-11-12 13:31
Core words get a lot of emphasis in AAC learning. What is fringe vocabulary and why is it important? Read on to learn more.
When it comes to language learning for AAC users, core words ta… Read More
2020-11-11 13:30
When it comes to language learning, children with complex communication needs may need additional support when compared to their neurotypical peers. However, the fundamentals of language lea… Read More
2020-11-05 17:59
Reading comprehension is the ability to make meaning out of a text. It is a key component of literacy acquisition for learners with complex communication needs. While reading can be a great… Read More
2020-11-03 18:37
Children with developmental disabilities can have communication challenges which affect their ability to effectively express themselves. Without functional communication skills, they may res… Read More
2020-11-02 04:00
Every year during October, Team Avaz plans several initiatives to spread awareness about AAC solutions. We do this to get rid of AAC myths that are still prevalent and to educate parents and… Read More
2020-10-29 06:30
It’s Halloween time! Halloween will look a lot different this year with mandatory masks that are not part of the costume and trick or treating while social distancing. We cannot let th… Read More
2020-10-21 06:35
Drewy NovaClara Curious is a Model, actor, and a disability advocate living in San Diego, California. They are a deaf and semi verbal autistic first introduced to AAC when they lost he… Read More
2020-10-21 06:33
Remember playing the Snake and Ladder game as kids? We learnt addition, counting, and taking turns all the while having fun. Similarly, ‘I Spy’ worksheets and dress up games help… Read More
2020-10-14 05:33
For AAC users to communicate autonomously, they need to achieve proficiency in skills that enable them to freely express themselves. However, this requires an understanding of communicative… Read More
2020-10-06 17:56
Communication is often the focus of AAC learning and parents and professionals tend to overlook the need to develop literacy skills in AAC users. This may be due to several reasons. Some may… Read More
2020-10-06 05:19
Avaz Inc. presents Insights with Avaz, a free webinar series all through October to celebrate AAC Awareness Months. Register for these informative sessions by the best AAC experts and… Read More
2020-09-30 09:16
Most of us may have had our reservations while starting teletherapy, even as it became obvious that in-person sessions may no longer be an option. Parents were uncertain and so were professi… Read More
2020-09-24 09:19
The post Ideas to develop pragmatics language (social communication) in Children appeared first on Avaz Inc Read More
2020-09-24 09:15
October is AAC awareness month! To raise more awareness about how tech solutions can power communication and learning, we are giving away Avaz AAC app to a few lucky winners. Robust vocabula… Read More
2020-09-24 04:26
Staying informed and connected has never been more important and we are glad that AAC is making this possible for people with complex communication needs during these pandemic times. It has… Read More
2020-09-14 18:20
The Day of the Programmer is celebrated on the 256th day of each year and this year it falls on September 12th. Although we use technology and apps everyday, rarely do we take the time to th… Read More
2020-09-03 06:01
We want AAC users to have access to a wide range of vocabulary so that their communication is not inhibited and their learning is not affected. From science to social studies, children may c… Read More
2020-08-26 18:12
Receptive language skills refer to the ability of an individual to understand verbal and non-verbal language. It includes following instructions, understanding gestures/facial expressions,&n&hell…Read More
2020-08-20 05:28
Turn taking is not only an important social skill that young children need to learn. Experts suggest that it can play a significant role in building communication skills too. This is because… Read More
2020-08-13 10:19
We all need a word of praise, an approving smile, or some form of appreciation from time to time to keep us going. Especially for those tedious tasks that take forever to get done! A simple… Read More
2020-07-23 17:41
Parents and professionals across the globe seem to have embraced remote therapy, overcoming any initial hesitation or apprehensions. For children with special needs, however, it may have tak… Read More
2020-07-23 06:31
Maths is not just a subject that is part of school curriculum. We use numbers regularly in our everyday lives and hence numeracy is an important skill to acquire. But learners with disabilit… Read More
2020-07-15 05:27
Lockdown and school closures have impacted our daily lives in different ways. For some, it means adjusting to chaotic work schedules while for others it may be the struggles in navigating th… Read More
2020-07-14 05:35
The communication journey of each Avaz AAC user is unique. But the common theme among all stories is the persistence of parents, the expertise of professionals, and their collaborative effor… Read More
2020-07-09 05:28
These are uncertain times and it’s important that we prioritize the emotional and mental health of our families as we come to terms with the new normal. So, we must encourage our loved… Read More
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