M.A.S.T.E.R.P.A.L.

MASTERPAL

What is it? Masterpal is a program Tabi Jones-Wohleber has made to help communication partners that are using AAC's.


MASTERPAL is compromised of 11 modules in all (1 overview for administrative discussions and 10 for communication partners), and each one includes slides, handouts, discussion prompts, links to videos, and activity suggestions. 

 In my schools, I have to support teachers and aides to work on core vocabulary and do it easily. AAC is not easy for everyone, especially people without a speech background. Teachers, in my experience, have wanted to use it as sight words, and also said explicitly- "point to go." Nails on a chalkboard! UGH, natural is critical. Use it the same way as you would when you are speaking to babies- but I digress...
Many educators need so much ongoing training and support... Masterpal can help you with all of this. 
If you want to "hear" about it you can listen to the Podcast on AAC- Talking with Tech


MASTERPAL was developed from the premise that:

1) AAC implementation is not intuitive
2) communication is not compliance.

MASTERPAL focuses on the idea that- modelling language with AAC is our responsibility.

  
The training module topics include:

1. Overview of ‘Model as a MASTER PAL’ (to share with directors and other stakeholders to provide information about the importance of providing effective and ongoing support for communication partners of individuals who use AAC.)
2. Modelling
3. Motivate
4. Accept Multiple Modalities
5. Statements more than Questions
6. Time (wait time and time for language to develop)
7. Engage Naturally
8. Response NOT Required
9. Presume Competence
10. Appropriate Prompting
11. Let the Child Lead

Open these links for more information:

• Getting Started

• Facilitator Guide

• Introduction