Assistive Technology Services: Winter 2008 TechTalk

ATS Tech Talk - Winter 2008

Cheryl Temple	George Mason's CompuWrite 2008
Lisa Givens	Chatterbox Fun Fair
Ellie Stack	AAC Integration Series
Featured ATS Staff Member	Lori Livesay

George Mason University's CompuWrite 2008

by Cheryl Temple

George Mason University's CompuWrite is a computer writing camp for students with learning disabilities in grades 3 through 8. For further details and contact information, click on the below link to download the offical CompuWrite flyer.

CompuWrite 2008 Flyer

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Chatterbox Fun Fair

by Lisa Givens

Assistive Technology Services is proud to announce that the Chatterbox Fun Fair will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 10:00 to 1:00 at Kings Glen Elementary.

The Chatterbox Fun Fair is a one day fun fair event for students, preschool through sixth grade, who are currently on the ATS caseload and are using picture boards and/or devices to help them with communication. Games, food, entertainment, and prizes will be provided.

This free event provides an opportunity for children to meet and talk with other children who use devices and/or picture boards, a chance for parents to meet and talk with other parents, and an opportunity to see communication devices used in the school system.

For more information, please visit: http://www.fcps.edu/ss/its/Chatterbox/

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AAC Integration Series

by Ellie Stack

AAC, or augmentative and alternative communication, devices are used by a number of students in Fairfax County Public Schools. Learning to program a device is not the hard part; learning to integrate the device and help our students use them is more of a challenge. This series was created to assist with this challenge.

The series is made up of 5 different topics. The first topic, First Steps, was offered in October. The second topic, Integrating AAC into Your Day, was offered in December. The third topic, Visuals to Foster Communication, was offered in January. The fourth topic, Templates and Other Communication Resources, was offered in February.

The fifth and final topic, AAC and Literacy, is being offered in March. Literacy = the ability to use language to read, write, listen, and speak. This training will provide attendees with ideas and strategies for including AAC users and their communication device into their literacy instruction. Participants will also learn how to make accessible books.

All sessions are open to FCPS staff and parents.
FCPS staff should register via MyPLT, search for AAC.
Parents should call Ellen Lohr at 703-204-3939 to register.

3/5/08	Rocky Run Middle School in the ATS lab - 2:30-4:15pm
3/31/08	Dunn Loring Center in room 11 – 2:30-4:15 pm
3/31/08	Dunn Loring Center in room 11 – 6:45-8:30 pm

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Featured ATS Staff Member

Lori Livesay

Lori Livesay is excited to become a part of the ATS team after having been a TOPS teacher last year. She enjoys having the opportunity to learn about all of the resources available to the elementary students she works with as well as having the time to create activities to help these students succeed in school.

Lori grew up all over living in Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut and Germany. She moved back to Fairfax County in time to attend and graduate from Fairfax High School. Then it was off to James Madison University to earn a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders as well as a minor in Psychology. She later obtained her licensure with endorsements in learning and emotional disabilities from the University of Virginia in Falls Church.

After working at an investment banking firm in New York City, and backpacking throughout Europe, Lori returned to Fairfax County and began a new career in special education. Most recently, she spent six years at Frost Middle School as a CAT B teacher and then teaching science to students with emotional disabilities.

Currently, Lori lives with her husband and Chocolate Lab (a.k.a. “Devil Dog”) in Ashburn.

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