Posts by Katie Lyon

About Katie Lyon

Katie is a speech pathologist and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) consultant who has been working with young children and adults with complex communication needs for the past 11 years. She has had worked in various roles including Coordinator of the Non-electronic Communication Aid Scheme and Regional Communication Service in Victoria as part of the state-wide Communication Access Network. She has a keen interest in supporting families, teachers, direct support workers and therapists to access information about AAC and assistive technology through education and training. She currently works part-time with Spectronics and part-time with the Communication Resource Centre at Scope in Victoria.

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Simple English Wikipedia – what a simple way to create PDF books!

Simple English Wikipedia – what a simple way to create PDF books!

Simple English Wikipedia is similar to the Wikipedia we know and love, but it uses Simple English words and grammar. This is great for some of the people we support who have literacy difficulties or for people who are learning English. There are over 82 000 articles on the website – so heaps of topic areas relevant to …

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SoundingBoard app FREE??? Sounding GREAT to me!

SoundingBoard app FREE??? Sounding GREAT to me!

The SoundingBoard app from Ablenet is one of my favourites – I love an app that is easy to use and program. It allows you to quickly set up communication boards that can be linked to other boards to create a multilevel communication system on your iPad or iPod touch. It provides templates in a range of configurations …

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Boardmaker: Support resources and materials…….your questions covered!

Boardmaker: Support resources and materials…….your questions covered!

I am sitting here madly preparing for my pre conference workshop on Boardmaker Studio coming up at the Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference which is officially three weeks away………SO EXCITING!!! Anyway, I thought I would remind you about some of the fabulous support resources and materials available for Boardmaker – I use them all the time and find them …

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Finding apps, keeping up to date and feeling supported!

Finding apps, keeping up to date and feeling supported!

If you are anything like me you are constantly on the lookout for new and exciting apps – and if you are anything like me, find the rate at which they are released mind blowing! How do you keep up? How do you know you are making the right decision? I do find it useful to refer to …

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Is there an app for that? Signing apps relevant to the Australian context.

Is there an app for that? Signing apps relevant to the Australian context.

Quite often I get asked whether there is an app to teach Key Word Sign in Australia. The short answer is “no” – however, there are apps that you can use as a reference to learn the Auslan signs which are then used when communicating using Key Word Sign and Gesture – confused?!?! – well read on! As …

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SpeakBook: A FREE low-tech eye gaze communication system

SpeakBook: A FREE low-tech eye gaze communication system

I just came across this low-tech communication book called Speakbook and thought it was really clever…It allows you to communicate with the assistance of a communication partner using only your eyes! There is a short video demonstrating how Speakbook works. But basically, you write individualised phrases on each of the coloured strips on the page. Then the person …

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Up There Cazaly!

Up There Cazaly!

With the 2012 Footy Season now upon us (sigh!) I thought I would remind you of a couple of great resources that are VERY popular among many of the adults I have worked with. The Key Word Sign Footy Book (Australian Football) is a pocket sized handbook of 120 signs that you will need to communicate about all …

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Using images of Australian currency in your activities – getting it right!

Using images of Australian currency in your activities – getting it right!

Do you use images of Australian notes and coins in your maths activities or communication aids? Do you know what the guidelines are for using these or whether you need permission? Well, it turns out there are guidelines for the use of Australian currency images and not following them puts you in breach of legislation.   For Banknotes: …

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Our apps for Special Education list is HERE!!!

Our apps for Special Education list is HERE!!!

You asked…..and we listened! We are so excited to bring you our apps for Special Education list. Starting with just 60 of our favourites (It was SO hard to choose!), this list is a growing and active list so be sure to check in from time to time as it promises to get bigger.   We are aware …

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Not “goodbye” – just “hello” to new and fabulous FREE resources!!!!

Not “goodbye” – just “hello” to new and fabulous FREE resources!!!!

Here at Spectronics, we have been contributing to our Activity Exchange for years. If you have never paid a visit – do so, it may just have some great FREE resources for your favourite software! While we have loved contributing regularly to our Activity Exchange, we have recognised that there are so many other great sharing websites where …

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