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It's time to update the 2.20 Chat Software that's all about WordPower™! Here at Saltillo, we're dedicated to delivering the most up-to-date software and vocabulary enhancements to give you the best user experience. Read below to see what's new then click the link at the bottom to find the update for your device. 

All WordPower files 

• -Added east, west, north, south – accessed through GEOGRAPHY pages
• -“-‘s” available on all vocabularies (typically available on Spelling pages)
• -Improved functioning of the comma on Spelling pages
• -Updated “Hey Siri” training commands in English

WordPower20 Simply

• -Symbols added to indefinite pronouns
• -Added Voice Assist commands 

WordPower60 Basic

• -“Pronoun + like/love” now leads to present progressive form of verb (i.e. I like reading / playing.) 

WordPower42 Basic & WordPower60 Basic

• -BODY page now allows one to say things like, “I eat with my mouth; I smell with my nose; I hear with my ears;” etc. 

48-location Spanish files 

• -SENSORY pages now available

WordPower60, 80, 108 and 140

• -of > course

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Communication disorders impact people of all ages. For adults, there are a variety of diseases and disorders that can affect their communication abilities: stroke, traumatic brain injury, ALS, other progressive diseases (Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Primary Progressive Aphasia, etc.). Adults with these disorders/diseases still have something to say and want to participate in their lives by talking to their spouses and families, making medical decisions, and more.

 Aphasia, a disorder caused by damage to the parts of the brain where language is stored, may affect the ability to comprehend language, to express oneself, to read, or to spell and write. For persons with aphasia, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been proven to be an effective intervention strategy, especially to move beyond treatment of just the impairment.

 Saltillo's vocabulary file “Communication Journey: Aphasia” can be easily adapted for use by people with different types of aphasia and a range of cognitive levels and degrees of severity. Derived from the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia from the Aphasia Institute in Toronto, Canada, this vocabulary file's User Guide is full of comprehensive, easy-to-understand information. This is especially important because spouses or family members often help people with aphasia use their device to communicate.

 Be sure to stay tuned with us in June as we go more in-depth about Communication Journey: Aphasia during Aphasia Awareness Month!

A common theme you've probably noticed in our blog and social media posts this month is that it's never too early – or too late – to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). To help facilitate and support language development, PRC-Saltillo's AAC Language Lab is an excellent and fun resource for SLPs, educators, and parents as they assist communicators in all stages of development. Here are three things you may not know about the AAC Language Lab:

FREE lesson plans, activities and other resources make it easy to "try before you buy" an annual subscription…who doesn't love free resources to help facilitate language!?

Activities AND lesson plans can be filtered by a variety of categories. You can search based on stage of language development, specific words, specific language skills, or functions of language, etc. 

AAC Language Lab activities aren't just for AAC users! They can be used in groups with verbal kids, too, to target different language concepts. For AAC users, we've done the work to give you the supports you need!

Reading is such a great task to support language development for all children! There are many research-supported benefits of reading to children. Reading is: 

• Language rich. It exposes children to complex language and skills in a way that engages them and helps them learn how to use language like that.
• Predictable and repeatable
• A minimizer of motor movement. When we sit down together to read a book, we aren’t running around trying to get a toddler’s attention to teach them words and language.
• Fun and natural! It is something our AAC users can see other kids their age doing, so there is a sense of inclusion.

For toddlers using AAC, WordPower60 Basic was designed with early language learners in mind, providing ample picture support and core words to grow language. It also includes pages designed to teach language and core through popular children’s books like Brown Bear Brown Bear. Here at Saltillo, we believe in the power of reading and offer a fun library of read-along books on our website and YouTube channel…be sure check them out!

Remember, early intervention is key – it's never too soon to start therapy and AAC use…the younger we start, the better the outcome!