Angelman Academy

Free Webinars & Videos
FAST Summit Videos
Teach

At Angelman Academy our chief mission is to revolutionize the education of individuals with Angelman syndrome to allow them to reach their fullest potential. The primary way we do this is by providing learning opportunities to inform and empower caregivers and professionals to become experts in teaching individuals with Angelman syndrome.

Free Webinars and Videos

Behavioral and Anxiety concerns in Angelman Syndrome

Dr. Christopher Keary, MD, Behavioral Director of the Angelman Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses anxiety and behavioral concerns in Angelman syndrome. Dr. Keary presents us with three case studies, a research review, and an overview of best practice treatment approach.

Intro to AAC

Introduction to those new to Augmentative and Alternative Communication to the basics of supporting those with Complex Communication Needs through various communication options, especially picture/symbol-based communication systems, both electronic and non-electronic. We will cover underlying principles of AAC, the functions of language, the concept of Presuming Potential, and the Communication Bill of Rights. Then we will move our focus to vocabulary arrangement in AAC systems. Finally, we will review some of the research behind AAC and those with Complex Communication Needs and/or developmental disabilities.

Getting started with AAC: Motivate, Model, and Move Out of the Way

Designed for parents and caregivers who have a new AAC system or are beginning again with an AAC system, this video starts by discussing robust vocabulary systems and various vocabulary arrangements. The remainder of the webinar focuses on using the concept of "Motivate, Model, Move Out of the Way' to help early and emergent AAC users become engaged with their AAC system and learn to use it. This webinar teaches communication partners how to support AAC users by using the system to talk to them, as well as using physical space, wait time and an adapted prompt hierarchy.

Visual Supports and Video Models for AAC

This webinar focuses on the use of visual supports, such as signs, aided language communication displays and caregiver created materials to increase the ability of communication partners to support those who use AAC and AAC users themselves in growing their skills. Finally, it will explain how video models for AAC are such an effective tool for building language skills and then teaches how to create video models.

Angelman Syndrome, Apraxia, Anxiety, and AAC

An intensive look at the interaction of the neurological motor planning disorder of apraxia/dyspraxia as seen in Angelman Syndrome and the anxiety which is often present in those same individuals. We explore how anxiety and apraxia together can lead to sometimes negative communication related behaviors, as well as other possible causes of such behaviors. Then we will look at options to support teaching communication, self-regulation and other skills to allow individuals with Angelman Syndrome to display more consistent positive behaviors and have an improved quality of life.

Gaining Language: What to Consider and How to Start

Caroline Woeber is a Colorado-licensed, ASHA Certified speech-language pathologist. In addition to treating and evaluating children who have complex communication needs, Caroline is the AAC Team Lead for Camps, a provider on the Chromosome 15 Clinic Multidisciplinary Team, and is passionate about making AAC accessible for children, families, and professionals. She has presented on the topic of AAC at state, national, and international conferences, including the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) Global Summit.

Q&A about AAC Systems / Preguntas sobre SAACs

We speak with Alicia García, speech language and AAC specialist. She answers the most common questions from families who started implementing AAC systems. Also give us answers to help those families who already have an AAC system defined, but have doubts on their implementation. On this Q&A video, Alicia give us tips and guidelines for better implementing and support AAC users and their families on AAC systems. (Video In Spanish)

---

Charlamos con Alicia García, terapista del lenguaje y especialista en Sistemas de Comunicación, nos responde a las preguntas más comunes de familias que inician con CAA y esas preguntas de quienes ya tienen un sistema elegido y tienen dudas de su implementación. En este intercambio de preguntas y respuestas, Alicia nos da tips y pautas para implementar mejor y para apoyar a los usuarios (y sus familias) de los SAACs.

Q&A about the ACES-ICT - inclusion program

Questions and answers about the Academic Career and Essential Skills-Integrated Collaborative Teaching (ACES-ICT) inclusion program. The innovative program was launched in New York City in 2018. Angelman Academy chats with parent Eve Colavito and teachers Catherine Lipkin and Rachel Marks. We talked about inclusion-what it means to them and how it looks in the classroom setting as well as how the program has continued to support children with Angelman Syndrome during a pandemic year! They share their lessons and experiences on the project, and recommendations about how other families can replicate this model in their own school districts.

FAST Educational Summit Videos

These videos were recorded live at past FAST Educational Summit events. This selection of videos features top experts in the field of complex communication needs discussing best practices for learning.

Which Way to Autonomous Communication? - Part 1
Gayle Porter

Which Way to Autonomous Communication? Part 2
Linda Burkhart

Literacy and language Hand in Hand
Jane Farrall

Emergent Writing From Form to Function
Jane Farrall

Literacy 101: Empowering Families!
DR. CAROLINE MUSELWHITE

Literacy in Angelman Syndrome
Dr. Gretchen Hanser

Making Sense of Sensory Processing
Kelly Beins

Supporting Inclusion Panel
Angelman Parents

Inclusion: Strategies for Increasing Success!
DR. CAROLINE MUSELWHITE

Reframing Angelman Syndrome
Mary-Louise Bertram