Shows
Talking With Tech AAC PodcastClaire O'Connor: Exploring AI as a Support for AAC UsersThis week, we share Chris’s interview with Claire O’Connor! Claire O’Connor is a speech-language pathologist and first-year PhD student at the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and AAC, exploring how tools like ChatGPT can support AAC users better.
Before the interview, Melissa, surprises him with news that his Assistive Technology team, comprising nine members, won the "Most Inclusive Team" award from their county's Special Education Advisory Committee Council! Chris himself also won the "Most Inclusive Administrator" award!
Key Ideas This Week:
2025-09-1949 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastChris, Melissa, and Maggie Bugaj: "Out of My Mind" ReflectionsIn this episode of Talking with Tech, Chris, Melissa, and Maggie Bugaj reflect on the Disney+ movie Out of My Mind! This film centers around a young AAC user with cerebral palsy, and has sparked a lot of conversations about AAC online. The Bugaj family talks about how we can take the popularity of this movie to continue and share the message of inclusive education and support for AAC!
1. Presuming Potential and Inclusive Education: The episode emphasizes the importance of assuming all students, including those with disabilities, have potential. Teachers, families, and educators are encouraged to p...
2024-11-3051 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastRecast: Rachel Dorsey: Taking a Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach to TherapyThis week, we present a Recast episode of Rachel's interview with Rachel Dorsey, an amazing autistic SLP who teaches courses on neurodiversity and goal writing. Recast episodes are previous episodes of TWT that Chris and Rachel want to highlight. In this Recast, Rachel Dorsey shares her perspectives on neurodiversity, how to help shift the perspectives of others to better affirm neurodiversity, the importance of co-regulation for Autistic people, and more!
Before the interview, Rachel and Chris sit down with Melissa Bugaj and Sara Gregory to have a quick roundtable banter about gestalt language processing (e.g...
2024-08-081h 03Talking With Tech AAC PodcastDarla Ashton: What Have We Learned About AAC in the Last 10 Years?This week, we share Chris’s interview with Darla Ashton, an Assistive technology Coordinator, Instructional Specialist, and BCBA with Carmel Clay Schools in Indiana! Darla and Chris discuss topics in AAC related to the question, “What do you know now that you didn’t know 10 years ago?” Darla discusses her district’s journey to determine what AAC program to use, Darla’s move away from the “expert model” of AAC assessment, creating an AAC professional learning group in her district, how more BCBAs should collaborate with the team to support AAC, and more!
Before the interview, Chris...
2023-05-051h 07Talking With Tech AAC PodcastLJ Seiff: 14-Year-Old AAC UserThis week, Chris and Rachel get the opportunity to interview the amazing LJ Seiff! LJ is a 14 year old boy with cerebral palsy and cortical visual impairment, which impact his ability to speak intelligibly. LJ shares about his AAC journey and some of the things that he wishes were done in the classroom more, like giving him more wait time to respond or asking multiple choice questions, since an AAC user can respond with a single press of “a” “b” or “c”.
Before the interview, Chris, Tucker, and Melissa Bugaj have a family discussion of Tucker’s rece...
2023-04-2142 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastBilingüe AAC (Part 2): Taking a Bilingual Approach to AAC ImplementationThis week, we present Part 2 of Rachel’s interview with Alma Partida (@aacforyouandme on Insta), Sarah Lee (@aac_together), Melissa Tapia (@hablame_de_language), and Maria De Leon (@code.switch.slp) about Bilingüe AAC, a platform that supports evidence-based, culturally affirming Spanish AAC. In this segment of the interview, the Bilingüe AAC team provides lots of useful information, including research that supporst bilingualism for AAC users, some of the myths of bilingual AAC, and information you can share with families who are hesitant to teach an AAC user two languages. To listen to Part 1 of this interview, clic...
2022-06-3047 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastBilingüe AAC (Part 1): Conducting Bilingual Family-Based AAC AssessmentsThis week, Rachel interviews Alma Partida (@aacforyouandme on Insta), Sarah Lee (@aac_together), Melissa Tapia (@hablame_de_language), and Maria De Leon (@code.switch.slp) about Bilingüe AAC (www.bilingueaac.com), a platform that supports evidence-based, culturally affirming Spanish AAC. They discuss many aspects of bilingualism and AAC, including core word considerations and strategies for family-based AAC assessment.
Before the interview, Chris and Rachel talk about the difference between “progress” and “success” when we are talking about an AAC user’s communication journey. For some, making progress with using AAC demonstrates success. However, if we are not m...
2022-06-2343 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastRachel Dorsey: Taking a Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach to TherapyThis week, Rachel interviews Rachel Dorsey, the amazing "Autistic SLP" who runs a private practice and teaches courses on Neurodiversity and Goal Writing. Rachel shares her perspective on neurodiversity, how to help shift the perspectives of others to better affirm neurodiversity, the importance of co-regulation for Autistic people, and more!
Before the interview, Rachel and Chris sit down with Melissa Bugaj and Sara Gregory to have a quick roundtable banter about gestalt language processing (e.g. scripting) vs analytical language processing, and ways that all people may use both methods to learn language.
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2021-12-021h 03Talking With Tech AAC PodcastAmy Fleischer & Melissa Petersen: Benefits of a Universal Core Board for All StudentsThis week, Chris interviews school-based AT Specialists Amy Fleischer and Melissa Petersen! Amy and Melissa share lessons they have learned about putting universal supports in place, including universal core boards in Melissa’s district. They discuss many of the reasons why Melissa wanted to put a universal core board in place, how her district decided on what words to include, and the improvements she has seen in overall AAC implementation since that time. You can view the website she made for her district here.
Before the interview, Rachel and Chris discuss a recent trip Chris took...
2021-08-1149 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastMark Nichols: Supporting AT and Universal Design in Higher EducationThis week, Chris interviews his long-time colleague, Mark Nichols, an AAC/AT Specialist who is the Senior Director of Universal Design and Accessible Technologies at Virginia Tech. Chris and Mark talk about the differences and similarities between higher education and K-12 for universal design and AT, the types of technologies that are often very useful in higher education, how to determine how much a university supports inclusion and assistive technology, and more!
Before the interview, Chris shares memories and thoughts about the late, great Joy Zabala with his wife, Melissa Bugaj. They talk about the im...
2021-07-0758 min
Night Light StoriesEpisode 83: The Cloud, Chapter 23Just a reminder that we are recording a novella that Mr. Chris and I wrote. The story, about kids solving a mystery using their technology skills, has twenty-five chapters. Last episode, we brought you Chapter 22, where The Cloud walked around to check out all of the other groups projects, and prepared to present their project to all of the teachers, parents, and peers.
2021-06-2613 min
Night Light StoriesEpisode 82: The Cloud, Chapter 22Just a reminder that we are recording a novella that Mr. Chris and I wrote. The story, about kids solving a mystery using their technology skills, has twenty-five chapters. Last episode, we brought you Chapter 21, where The Cloud worked diligently at their houses reviewing video and photo evidence to come up with a hypothesis as to what could be causing the school to get sick.
2021-04-2513 min
Night Light StoriesEpisode 69: The Cloud, Chapter 8Just a reminder that we are recording a novella that Mr. Chris and I wrote. The story, about kids solving a mystery using their technology skills, has twenty-five chapters. Last week we brought you Chapter 7, where the four friends organized their efforts by dividing up the clues to research and creating a shared word processing doc. The whole class worked in their somewhat chosen pods in order to breakdown the visuals and audio clues given. They also worked to create unique and individualized name tags. You, too, can follow the clues and help them out by utilizing some...
2020-05-1821 min
Night Light StoriesEpisode 68: The Cloud, Chapter 7Just a reminder that we are recording a novella that Mr. Chris and I wrote. The story, about kids solving a mystery using their technology skills, has twenty-five chapters. Last week we brought you Chapter 5 and 6, where the students worked on solving the clues that their new 4th grade teacher, Mr. Brisbane had given them in multiple different formats. They were presented with pictures, audio directions from the computer, clues on a class website and search engines for research. In order to get Mr. Brisbane to talk they have to solve his puzzle. You, too, can follow the...
2020-05-0922 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastTara Wineinger: Hosting a "Virtual 5k" to Support an AAC NonprofitThis week, Tara Wineinger and Rachel discuss Sophie’s Run (runsophies5k.com), a “virtual 5k” that supports decreasing the amount of time students wait for AAC devices and to assist communication partners with training in the Kansas City area. Tara shares about building awareness for AAC, the services they have been able to provide, and ideas for how you can bring fundraising like this to your school district.
Before the interview, Chris and his wife Melissa talk about how the school closures have changed their personal and professional lives. They discuss how “eduspeak” can be overwhel...
2020-05-0637 min
Night Light StoriesEpisode 67: The Cloud, Chapter 5 and 6Just a reminder that we are recording a novella that Mr. Chris and I wrote. The story, about kids solving a mystery using their technology skills, has twenty-five chapters. Last week we brought you Chapter 4, where the students were introduced to their fourth grade teacher in a very unique way. In order to get their teacher to talk, they will need to follow a series of clues. You, too, can follow the clues! Be sure to listen for the class website name (bit.ly/brisbanegrade4) and check out the Clues Corner on the blog for a link to...
2020-05-0434 min
Night Light StoriesEpisode 65: The Cloud, Chapter 3Hello and welcome to episode 65 of the Night Light Stories podcast recorded on April 11, 2020. This podcast tells one original story (or part of an original story) each episode that will light up the imaginations of children of all ages, anytime, anywhere. Just a reminder that we are recording a novella that Mr. Chris and I wrote. The story, about kids solving a mystery using their technology skills, has twenty-five chapters. We’re putting out each chapter as a separate episode of the podcast. Last week we brought you Chapter 2, where four friends met up at the school on...
2020-04-1620 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastCatherine Fredericks - Increasing AAC Buy-in with Parents and Teachers in the SchoolsWe need your help to keep Talking with Tech going strong! If you are a loyal listener, please support our podcast at patreon.com/talkingwithtech.
This week, Chris interviews Catherine Fredricks, a School-Based SLP & AAC Specialist with Wayne Township Public Schools. Catherine shares about her experience using AAC with students with a variety of needs (bilingual students, language-delayed students who are verbal, students with complex communication needs, etc) and how she builds excitement at school for a student’s early progress with AAC. Hearing about how she has built success and buy-in within the schools is useful and...
2019-11-131h 00Talking With Tech AAC PodcastLance McLemore: Learning to Become a Proficient AAC UserIn this week’s episode, Chris interviews proficient AAC user and Prentke Romich Company (PRC) Ambassador Lance McLemore! Before the interview, Chris is joined again by his wife, Melissa Bugaj! Melissa and Chris discuss the first ever International #ATChat, which focused on AAC and Access. Next, Melissa discusses her recent experiences with students who use AAC. Melissa shares about learning to increase wait time, how AAC devices are helping users to demonstrate competencies for alternative assessment, and how a student self-regulated his behavior by protesting on a device.
Following this discussion, Chris interviews PRC Ambassador and...
2019-03-2659 minTalking With Tech AAC PodcastMo Buti: Tips for Writing IEPs and Working With IEP TeamsThis week, Rachel and Chris connect with Chris’ wife, Melissa Bugaj to talk about what makes a successful IEP meeting! Melissa is Dean of Special Education at Loudoun Valley High School and has lots to share about effective meetings, including the need for open and transparent communication, the importance of agendas, and why involving parents before the IEP meeting is so important! Rachel also shares about her experiences with IEP meetings, and why, whenever possible, Rachel tries to talk with a student during an IEP meeting rather than about him or her.
Following this discussion, Chri...
2019-03-2052 min
Night Light StoriesEpisode 20 (Flashlight): My Mother, My HeroHello All,
Surprise! Happy Mother's Day! Mr. Chris and I dedicate this quick flashlight episode to our beautiful moms who have supported and loved us through thick and thin. We are so grateful for every phone call, hug, and chocolate lollipop you bring us. We would have bought you flowers, but thought a poem was something you could listen to over and over all year round to remind you how very special you are.
VORACIOUS VOCABULARY
2010-05-0905 minNight Light StoriesEpisode #19: Mojo and the Ear Mites
Some exciting things are happening in the Night Light Stories household that we want to share with you! Mr. Chris and I were asked to write a series of children's books. We are thrilled and eager to create a story that you'll get to read in print form! We've already started working on the project and we're really happy with how it is coming together. We're going to have a lot of fun working on the story, but it is also going to take a lot of time and a lot of hard work. Unfortunately, that means we're going to...
2010-03-1415 minNight Light StoriesEpisode 12: Untitled Imagination StoryHi All,The school year is in full swing at the Night Light household. Trail hiking, river swimming and all day family days will have to wait until the weekends. Our minds are rested and rejuvenated from the summer adventures and we are ready to have some new adventures in school! We hope you admire your teacher, are blissful when collaborating with your classmates, never disguise how ecstatic you are about school, flabbergasted by all the new things you learn, and most of all we wish you all a gigantically successful school year!
2009-09-1213 minNight Light StoriesEpisode 7: The WalkHappy Spring! As we have shared in our past few entries, one of our most favorite activities to do is take a walk or hike. On weeknights after dinner, we enjoy walking around our mountain as a family. We love to check on the level of the babbling creek, hike off the beaten path to the many interesting rocks formations, run as fast as we can down the dirt roads, and listen for birds chirping and other little critters skittering around. Sometimes we are really lucky and see our deer friends "Hoppy" and "Twirly" and their babies that are the...
2009-03-2211 minNight Light StoriesEpisode 5: A Tooth's StoryHello All, The month of February flew by and the Night Light Stories' household has successfully healed from surgery, edited a book, and completed a fun story for your listening pleasure. Since February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, we though our story fit this month perfectly. A Tooth's Story was written by Chris and Melissa Bugaj. Enjoy! What did you say? A word of the day!That is right! In our story there are many juicy words that are fun to learn and say! I am going to post a word or tw...
2009-03-0117 minNight Light StoriesEpisode 2: Chilly's ChristmasHello All, The holiday season is upon us and our house, probably like yours, is buzzing with excitement! Our second story, Chilly's Christmas was written by Chris and Melissa Bugaj. As you listen to the story consider the following, Have you ever been in a situation where things are different from what you are used to? What did you say? A word of the day!That is right! In our story there are many juicy words that are fun to learn and say! I am going to post a word or two or three from...
2008-12-1320 min