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Welcome to our third episode of AAC Tip Talks, a series of vlogs (video blogs) and a podcast (because we want you to learn your way!) offering tips for professionals and partners supporting people who use AAC. Each talk is a quick chat designed to give some initial strategies and connect you with resources to continue your learning. All AAC Tip Talks are offered by Mentors from across the global community. You can watch the full chat below or on our YouTube Channel. If you'd rather listen in, tune in to our our AAC Tip Talks podcast.
Our last episode in the series (Literacy Tips for the AAC SLP) brought practical and developmentally-based strategies to help SLP's integrate literacy instruction within language programming for AAC users. Beth Poss offered her wisdom from decades of experience supporting learners with complex needs, providing a glimpse into her online training series that helps SLP's get those starting tools they need to work toward literacy for all.
In this episode, we take a different spin with books, guided by UK-based sensory and inclusion specialist, Joanna Grace. I stumbled upon Joanna at the recent, online Early Years Summit and honestly, I want her to be my best friend! I know, I'm a dork. But seriously, she not only brings a charisma to this and all talks she provides, she has an insightful, holistic perspective that everyone supporting kids with complex needs should hear. Joanna spent some time with me earlier this month talking about her "ambitious sensory stories" and their role in building engagement and communication for children with complex profiles. She emphasized the importance of strategy alongside creative and inexpensive "tools" to provide rich sensory experiences that help children access their world in meaningful ways when language may not yet be firmly formed.
If you want a to take a deeper dive on this and other sensory topics, go beyond the Tip Talk and check out The Sensory Projects. Joanna offers resources on sensory stories, trainings, and also sells some of her authored sensory stories with companion, detailed sensory guides. Joanna has authored several books for partners, including the one to the left (click to see it on Amazon).
You can watch the full Tip Talk with Joanna Grace below. You can also access an audio only episode on our podcast page and at the end of this post, along with information about Joanna's online courses and social media channels.
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If you enjoyed this AAC Tip Talk, you can go beyond the tip of the literacy iceberg and dive deeper into this valuable topic in at The Sensory Projects Online College.
The Sensory Projects
Joanna Grace is a sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, author, trainer, TEDx speaker and Founder of The Sensory Projects. She is working to contribute to a future where people are understood in spite of their differences. The Sensory Projects run on the principle that with the right knowledge and a little creativity inexpensive resources can become effective sensory tools for inclusion.
You can connect with Joanna and learn more about her work through social media and her Sensory Projects website:
Have inspiring sensory engaging experiences to share with others? Post in the comments or leave us a voice message on Spotify!
Disclosures
Joanna Grace is the founder of The Sensory Projects. She is author of several books, one of which is linked here in the post. The link offered is an affiliate link and AACcessible will receive a portion of the proceeds from purchase through the Amazon Associates program. Joanna was not paid for her participation in this talk. AACcessible does not receive revenue from the sale of any of Joanna's products, services, or online courses outside of the affiliate program mentioned above. The ideas expressed in this episode and accompanying resources are solely those of the guest and do not represent endorsement or sponsorship by the podcast host, AACcessible, or its board members.