Present Notes:
On this episode of SLP Espresso Speak, Hallie sits down with Malka Arnstein, SLP, non-public observe proprietor, and AAC specialist, on a mission to make AAC much less intimidating and far more accessible. Malka will get actual concerning the judgment that may creep into AAC work, why reframing it as simply one other communication instrument modifications every little thing, and the way modeling for adults (not simply children) is the place the magic occurs. She talks about working with dysregulated college students, pushing into lecture rooms as a substitute of pulling out, and why displaying up with enjoyable and connection beats excellent knowledge each time. Should you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by AAC or such as you’re simply winging it, this episode is filled with sensible ideas and loads of “simply do it, and you will be nice” vibes.
This is what we discovered:
- AAC is not scary, it is only a instrument, and reframing it that means modifications every little thing.
- Accessibility is not only for customers; lecturers, paras, and oldsters want it to be usable too.
- Mannequin for the adults, not simply the youngsters – present them the way it’s achieved in actual time.
- Push into lecture rooms as a substitute of pulling out—let the workforce see AAC in motion.
- With dysregulated college students, begin from a distance and let belief construct slowly.
- Ditch the information sheets for a minute – enjoyable and connection come first.
- If it isn’t joyful, take a step again and alter your strategy.
RESOURCES
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JOKE OF THE WEEK:
Q: How do you calm an astronaut child?
A: You rock it.
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TRANSCRIPT
00:00:00 Hallie: Hey there, SLP mates. It’s Hallie right here, popping in with the perfect information ever. My new e book, Secondary SLP Roadmap is formally accessible. Should you’ve ever wished for a transparent, sensible information for working with center and highschool college students, that is it. It’s filled with actual tales, prepared to make use of methods and instruments you should utilize straight away. Seize your copy now, examine the hyperlink within the present notes or search Secondary SLP Roadmap on Amazon. After which after all, please do me a favor. When you’re studying it, snap an image and tag me on Instagram @speechtimefun. I like seeing the place you are diving in. The speech room, the sofa, ready in a health care provider’s ready room, all of the locations. All proper, prepared? Go seize your copy and let’s make secondary speech really feel doable and enjoyable.
00:00:57 Hallie: Welcome to SLP Espresso Speak, the podcast designed solely for speech language pathologists who work with older college students, grades 4 by 12. I’m your host, Hallie Sherman, your SLP behind Speech Time Enjoyable, the Speech Retreat Convention, and the SLP Elevate Membership. And I am thrilled to carry you conversations, methods, and insights that gives you the jolt of inspiration that you simply want. Whether or not you are tuning in throughout your morning commute, on a break in between periods, and even throughout a well-deserved leisure time. I’m right here for you each week. Let’s do that SLPs.
00:01:37 Hallie: Hey, hey, and welcome to a different episode of SLP Espresso Speak. Do you’ve gotten AAC college students? Do you wish to make AAC extra accessible on your college students? I do know you are going to love the dialog that I’ll have right here at the moment with my visitor, Malka Arnstein. Welcome to the present.
00:01:52 Malka: Thanks. Thanks for having me. I am actually excited to be right here.
00:01:56 Hallie: Inform everybody listening a little bit bit about your SLP journey to what you are doing at the moment.
00:02:01 Malka: Completely. So I have been in SLP a little bit bit over 15 years, which is sort of loopy. I began off in South Bronx for my medical fellowship, which was a bit powerful, however I used to be so privileged actually to have the ability to work in District 75 and have expertise with AAC. I had some expertise in an internship working in acute care rehab, but it surely was actually District 75 working with nonverbal college students or non-speaking college students that I sort of fell in love with AAC. And that was simply an space I gravitated to.
00:02:35 Malka: I moved to Connecticut, moved out to Connecticut, and in Connecticut, we are inclined to have loads of college students with disabilities which are built-in into lecture rooms. And I started working with loads of non-speaking children. And simply to make use of AAC with them, I imply, it was simply figuring it out alongside the best way. I imply, like we’re from the PEX age. However it was simply loads of, , being artistic, figuring it out, winging it. I’d say the creativity was like the most important issue as a result of attempting to determine get these units to the youngsters.
00:03:07 Malka: However I used to be in a position to acquire the expertise that I wished. I liked it. After which I finally went on to… I used to be a constructing SLP, however I used to be a founding member of beginning as a expertise workforce in Connecticut. And that was thrilling. After which I relocated to Florida, sort of at a extremely good level in my profession, however that is simply what occurred for private causes. And I labored in a district that finally… I used to be in a position to be a part of their assistive expertise workforce. So I have been an SLP in like quite a few environments, labored with, I’d say all of the Ok, all the best way – pre-Ok actually, all the best way to highschool, however loads of AAC expertise alongside the best way. And that sort of was my journey.
00:03:48 Malka: After which proper now I left my place as an assistive expertise specialist. After which I began my very own non-public observe. I am at the moment again as a school-based SLP working with loads of AAC. After which additionally doing my non-public observe on the aspect, which was very nice.
00:04:06 Hallie: And that is simply one of many advantages of our discipline is you may, , strive so many alternative issues and work in numerous settings. However I feel what you touched upon is so necessary that AAC has modified over time, particularly within the tech area or in grad faculty when there have been no iPads. And lots of SLPs simply do not feel as assured in relation to if you suddenly have college students in your caseload otherwise you get a brand new place that’s anticipating you to simply leap in and really feel prepared. Converse a little bit bit to somebody who is perhaps feeling a little bit unsure or not sure of their talent set in relation to AAC.
00:04:45 Malka: Completely. I feel that, , usually, like being an SLP and a brand new SLP, it is a actually onerous place to be as a result of, , the expectations are so excessive, you are anticipated to know a lot. After which AAC is available in, it identical to throws you for the loop as a result of it is like this complete different space. And I feel that we sort of get hung up on AAC being it prefer it’s the AAC machine, it is the machine and we overlook that basically – and I really need new grads to know this, actually it is simply communication.
00:05:16 Malka: Like what’s communication? Communication is simply connection and AAC is the instrument that is going that will help you join together with your scholar, together with your shopper, together with your affected person. So actually reframing your pondering, not to consider AAC as something however one other instrument in your toolkit. Like that’s what I’d inform, or I really need all SLPs to know. It is only a instrument. AAC is a instrument.
00:05:39 Hallie: And identical to something in our discipline, like so long as you retain working towards and continue learning, you may really feel extra assured in it.
00:05:47 Malka: Sure. And studying and being receptive to studying, being artistic, I feel that… I discover that there tends to be some areas which are sort of judgmental and inside our discipline, I really feel like AAC is a kind of and possibly it is simply because I am in it. So, , it may very well be I am simply in it and I really feel that means. However I really feel like there’s simply loads of judgment in AAC, our personal judgment, like we’re judging ourselves. We’re crucial on our personal selves and our information. After which others are sort of crucial of us, too.
00:06:15 Malka: So, I imply, you may see these like posts on social media, which isn’t actually an actual area. However sadly, we’re… most of us are on there. And it is like, Oh, PEX. PEX is a horrible factor or do not work on requesting. Transfer previous requesting and it is like, or the entire thing’s with GLP is like… there’s simply loads of contentious matters with AAC and I simply really feel prefer it tends to really feel very judgmental. So , actually, it must be… you could really feel secure with it, you could really feel comfy with it, you could be artistic with it. And you could sort of not let anybody else actually trouble you with it.
00:06:52 Malka: While you’re implementing AAC, if you are going to be self-conscious, it’ll be very onerous as a result of possibly you are involved persons are watching you otherwise you’re like, I do not know the place this phrase is. I can not do that. You already know, it is too overwhelming for me. So that you sort of simply must be very disinhibited. And I do not know, can a brand new SLP get there from the get go? I do not know. That is a tough place to be.
00:07:13 Hallie: However over time, it is attainable. There isn’t any proof that there is so many individuals that weren’t skilled with it and have been in a position to study. So it is positively attainable.
00:07:22 Malka: It is completely attainable. I feel that so long as you’ve gotten an setting the place you are feeling supportive, that is actually necessary. So that you feeling supportive in that setting and also you coming throughout as a supportive individual, then you definitely’ll really feel secure with it. After which I feel that you’re going to be okay doing it. It is just like the extra you observe, the higher you get at it. However I’d say that for my very own private journey, like with AAC, I imply, like… I used to be speaking to a more moderen SLP lately. And we have been speaking about totally different matters in AAC. and she or he was like saying, effectively, I feel it is actually nice that we have moved previous issues or that we’re now not… like that we are able to acknowledge we weren’t actually so nice at issues.
00:07:59 Malka: And I used to be like, effectively, wait, no, truly, let’s not. We have been nice. We did this. And it doesn’t matter what we did, we did it and that was nice. So simply do it and you are going to be nice.
00:08:08 Hallie: I adore it. I adore it. You speak quite a bit about like making AAC accessible and it is not only for AAC customers. Are you able to go into what you imply by that?
00:08:17 Malka: Completely. So we speak about accessibility with AAC that customers ought to have entry, proper? I imply, it is best to be capable to use your machine, it ought to be on and all that. However I feel an enormous factor is that it must be accessible to us, that means that we want to have the ability to use it. It must be usable to us. It must be one thing that is not overwhelming or too excessive reaching. It must be relatable. Making objectives which are attainable for ourselves round AAC are actually necessary.
00:08:47 Malka: After which additionally not only for us as SLPs and lecturers for it to be accessible, but additionally for folks for it to be accessible. After which simply circling again to lecturers, like lecturers have a tendency to consider AAC as very difficult. And I do know that it’s difficult for them. And I feel it is simply breaking it down into smaller items of data and actually simply displaying the way it’s utilized as a substitute of sort of telling the way it’s utilized, makes lecturers be capable to see it in a unique gentle as a result of they’re there within the interactions and so they see that scholar for the primary time remark, , or interact in an interplay and it is very thrilling for them.
00:09:24 Malka: In order that makes it like, oh, okay, that is actually not so sophisticated. I can do that. I can contact it. You already know, having your periods within the classroom should you’re a school-based SLP, working within the classroom with the trainer on the desk, I imply, it is chaotic, it is enjoyable. Deliberately having the paraprofessional, as an instance, use the machine and simply do not contact it. Allow them to use it. It is simply making it one thing that is not so fancy. It would not must be so glorified or I do not know. It simply must be a instrument that anybody can use as a result of actually anybody can use it.
00:10:01 Malka: After which additionally mother and father ought to be capable to use it too. They should not really feel overwhelmed like, okay, that is too sophisticated. I must edit it. I would like so as to add the phrases. I would like to do that and that, I must program it. So long as you full or you’ve gotten a strong vocabulary from the get-go, it is best to be capable to simply roll with it. Take that machine, get into your session, and it’ll occur. It should occur as a result of it’ll be pure. It is not the main target of your session. The main target of your session is no matter enjoyable exercise you are doing. It is that connection you make together with your scholar or your shopper, after which every little thing else goes to return with it.
00:10:37 Hallie: I adore it that you simply mentioned entering into the classroom, let the paras use it, let the trainer use it. I do know from my expertise so typically I’d come into the room and they might take the machine [inaudible] the charger after I was strolling within the room and they might give it to me and I’d go into the nook of the room and work with the coed. And I saved saying, no, this must be a gaggle session. It is not simply me working with the coed. I would like you to… I do not need you to working with one other scholar whereas I am working with them. It is not your break time from that scholar. It is the chance so that you can see how I am working with that scholar with the machine as a result of it is solely occurring half-hour, couple instances every week. What good is it?
00:11:19 Malka: Proper. Completely. Sure. I feel that, , loads of SLPs are pulling children out of the classroom and generally, , the lecturers are like, we want you to take the youngsters out of the classroom. So I can not say that as a brand new SLP, I felt comfy saying, okay, no, I’ll service the youngsters within the classroom. However at this level in my profession, I used to be a district degree AAC specialist, after which I went again to the classroom setting. So it is sort of like at this level, I simply do not actually care anymore. I imply, I simply, I actually do not care. So like, I am gonna let you know, that is what we have to do, and that is what we’re gonna do.
00:11:55 Malka: And we’re gonna do it in your area, within the classroom, and also you’re gonna be part of it, and it is gonna be enjoyable. And it isn’t going to simply come out of the e book bag after I present up within the classroom as a result of it is already out. Like even when it is simply sitting on the desk, it is out. It must be one thing that’s within the setting on a regular basis. In order that means it isn’t one thing that you simply like… You do not even discover it if you see it as a result of it is at all times there. You already know what I imply? It is like in your schema. It is like simply a part of the classroom setting.
00:12:24 Hallie: I adore it. I do know one place… I had a push in throughout circle time like morning assembly. And I used to be there to assist facilitate the coed with the machine, but it surely wasn’t like… I used to be not the one individual there to take action. It was like, okay, if another person needs to leap in, I’ll let should you’re doing it proper or fallacious or provide you with suggestions or whatnot. And I do know early on in my profession, it was more durable to talk up and say, hey, however in a while over time. [crosstalk] feeling like not eager to step on any [inaudible]. Like that is why I used to be like, okay, I am pushing in and go child steps. Like, okay, I am gonna push in, however like, okay, I am not gonna rock extra boats than that. After which like rock a couple of extra boats afterwards should you construct a little bit rapport. However it’s so necessary that it is accessible and your modeling.
00:13:20 Malka: Yeah, accessible, attainable, actually about modeling. I feel that loads of SLPs, together with myself, I have been on this place, the place we speak about – like we speak about AC to the lecturers. I imply, I’ve given displays, district-level presentation. So as an instance 300 SLPs proper and also you’re speaking about SLP or speaking to them and like we’re all achieved. Our brains are achieved. We’re fried. We’re on this like new period of… I do not know prefer it’s simply the world occasions. Issues are loopy. We do not wish to be talked to anymore. We do not wish to have data simply coming at us. We wish to be part of it.
00:13:53 Malka: So I do not actually speak to lecturers anymore about like that is what we have to do and blah, blah, blah, blah. That is how we will do it. No, I am doing it. You already know what? I am doing it. I am in that classroom. I’m sitting there and I am doing a learn aloud. And after I first began doing it, I am like, I do not know what the heck I am doing, however I’ll do it. And that is going to work out. Like we’ll determine it out alongside the best way as a result of I do know that not solely do my AAC customers must know and must learn to use AAC, however their communication companions, their major communication companions, which is a college employees, their lecturers, they should study. And the way do they study finest is by modeling.
00:14:31 Malka: We speak about modeling to the youngsters. We have to mannequin to the adults within the setting too. And I really feel like we do not essentially do an awesome job about that, ? So mannequin to the youngsters, but additionally mannequin to the adults and allow them to study by seeing implement AAC.
00:14:48 Hallie: I like that. Are you able to share a little bit bit extra about what ought to folks do like after they’re working with dysregulated kids? How can they set up belief and what ought to they do? Like, okay, I do know I must work with the coed, however they’re dysregulated. What ought to I do in these moments?
00:15:05 Malka: Completely. And I feel that, , working with a dysregulated youngster is difficult as a result of plenty of instances as a clinician, you might really feel unsafe. Such as you your self, you do not really feel secure in that setting. I imply, I have been in environments the place I used to be apprehensive, like I used to be going to get damage. You already know, I imply, I’ve had college students yank my hair again and like actually, I imply, damage me and also you get apprehensive about it. Like I do not wish to get damage.
00:15:31 Malka: However on the similar time, like our non talking or restricted talking children, they actually decide up on that. They decide up on that vitality. They decide up on these nonverbal cues and so they know should you do not feel secure of their setting and also you need them to really feel secure. So actually, it is I feel it is best if you’re working with a dysregulated scholar to sort of begin from afar a little bit little bit of a distance. Present up there, however do not get of their face and do not get of their private area. Do not have them come to your little desk and make them do the work. Like comply with their lead, watch them, allow them to do what they’re doing and simply be of their proximity, like be close to them.
00:16:08 Malka: And as you sort of like… it’s important to clearly gauge if you’re working with a child, however simply be there, simply be there bodily. After which if you need, if you wish to mannequin with out expectations whilst you’re there, you are able to do that. However you first wished to point out up. You wish to set up your self as a secure individual that they will belief after which slowly shut that distance. Like not simply that bodily distance, however that metaphorical distance. So you are going to begin to really feel safer. Such as you’ll really feel secure. They will really feel secure. After which you’ll work collectively.
00:16:39 Malka: And that does not imply that the child will not be dysregulated, however , they are going to be dysregulated. All of us are dysregulated. Like I get dysregulated after I stroll right into a classroom. It is like, the noise degree’s like loopy and I am like, I simply must get myself these loop earplugs as a result of I can not cope with this, ? However I assume like as you study to ascertain your self as a secure individual and you are feeling secure close to that individual, you may decide up on these cues, however they’re beginning to point out that they are dysregulated. After which you may say, okay, what can I assist with this dysregulation?
00:17:10 Malka: You already know, I feel that kids which are considerably dysregulated, there’s stuff that is happening internally that we’re not aware about. Like we do not know what is going on on of their brains proper now. Like possibly they’ve some kind of script on loop or possibly they’re fascinated with one thing we simply do not know. And it is onerous to play that guessing recreation. So like in these moments, do not be afraid to take a step again. Like you might must take a step again, ?
00:17:31 Hallie: I like that. And also you talked about most significantly, it is remembering the communication, connection and ought to be enjoyable. Are you able to share a little bit bit extra with out making-
00:17:44 Malka: Completely. I feel that , like as therapists have been alleged to be very knowledge pushed and knowledge is essential. Like 100%. I sat there with my knowledge sheets plus minuses. I imply each single session, , and we want knowledge like we have been required to report knowledge each session. However with AAC particularly such as you actually cannot be targeted on the information. That is going to must get thrown out the door for a minute. Simply be current. And have interaction within the interplay like you might carry one thing to the desk for the kid to work with or you may carry one thing to the mat or the ground wherever you are at.
00:18:17 Malka: However it ought to be one thing that they wish to do. It ought to be one thing that they are occupied with doing and it is best to make it enjoyable. Like I joke on a regular basis like, I actually must get cheerleader pompoms as a result of I am identical to woo-hoo. Like you could be a enjoyable individual you could like… I imply, I do not know. I am very sort B, so possibly it is a little bit simpler for me. However you could be enjoyable. It is advisable to be there. It is advisable to present up in a enjoyable means that you simply’re targeted on connecting with that youngster no matter means that they wish to join.
00:18:47 Malka: It’s important to be open to that connection. After which you could comply with the kid’s cues to say, what are they needing at this second? Modeling with out expectations actually permits for that to occur since you’re not placing calls for on that youngster. You are doing the modeling. You are participating with them by that modeling, even should you’re simply narrating what you are doing or what they’re doing. You are having enjoyable with some kind of toy, proper? As a result of we ought to be utilizing like toy and play-based, and then you definitely’re displaying up in a enjoyable means.
00:19:15 Malka: I imply, and being tremendous, tremendous foolish and simply modeling being tremendous foolish and laughing. And I imply, at the moment I had a scholar who was rolling a ball and he isn’t using a tool in any respect. So we’re modeling that expectation, actually attempting to get him to speak. He was rolling a ball off the desk and I am modeling like off and roll. And he was laughing hysterically. He was having a lot enjoyable. And that I feel is that’s what a communication interplay that is a joyful interplay is about.
00:19:45 Malka: So actually, communication is not nearly language, proper? Communication can be about all these different types of communication, which is physique language, it is gestures, facial expressions. And also you wish to have that communication interplay to simply be so joyful and enjoyable and ultimately to guide in direction of… hopefully the kid will begin to interact with that AAC system. However once more, you need them to have enjoyable. You need them to acknowledge that it is a enjoyable setting and it isn’t an setting that you simply’re putting calls for on them. There isn’t any hand-under-hand or hand-over-hand occurring. That is not like pure, , it is simply enjoyable. And I promise you, AAC could be a lot enjoyable you probably have that mindset.
00:20:32 Hallie: I like that. Thanks so, a lot, Malka. The place can everybody study extra about you and every little thing it’s important to supply?
00:20:37 Malka: Thanks. So I comply with me on Instagram @speakingaac. I wish to share movies which are like, , within the second displaying what I am doing, modeling with out expectations. I actually do not like to inform folks issues. I am sort of displaying you. So I’d love for folks to comply with me there. I am on Fb at Talking AAC after which I do have an AAC group to assist households, however it’s open to individuals who assist AAC customers. It is referred to as AAC for the Household. I do have a Trainer Pay Trainer account, Talking AAC. I share loads of free stuff. That is an issue of mine, of capitalizing on a few of these, as a result of I simply wish to assist folks, I wish to be supportive, and I actually wish to make AAC accessible. I’d love for folks to comply with me alongside on my journey as a result of actually my objective is for AAC to be extra accessible for everybody, not only for customers and oldsters, but additionally for SLPs.
00:21:32 Hallie: I adore it. Thanks so, a lot. I at all times finish my episodes with a joke as a result of jokes constructed upon is simply loads of enjoyable. So how do you calm an astronaut child?
00:21:42 Malka: Oh, gosh, I’m so unhealthy with summary language. I am not going to get any of your jokes.
00:21:48 Hallie: You rock it.
00:21:51 Malka: Oh my god.
00:21:51 Hallie: Astronaut child, rocket. I do not make these up. Okay, I Google them or ChatGPT them. [This one’s a Google. So I can’t take credit.
00:22:04 Malka: I love it. Well, thank you. Thank you so much for having me. This is really a first for me. But I appreciate it. And thank you.
00:22:11 Hallie: Of course. Thank you so so much. And everyone listening go check out our Instagram all the things. And until next week, everyone, stay out of trouble.
00:22:26 Hallie: Thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of SLP Coffee Talk. It means the world to me that you’re tuning in each and every week and getting the jolt of inspiration you need. You can find all of the links and information mentioned in this episode at my website, speechtimefun.com. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any future episodes. And while you’re there, it would mean the world to me if you would take a few seconds and leave me an honest review. See you next week with another episode full of fun and inspiration from one SLP to another. Have fun guys.
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