Well it's about time that I add my essential question to the list... I have been thinking about it off and on (probably more off) and I think I have finally made a decision. However, I am sure that it will need to be refined as I go along.

Essential Question: How do Augmentative Communication Devices affect the lives of the patients who use them?

*I know that the affects reach into social, emotional realms....this may be a part that needs more specification!

Welcome to my very first webliography online. I hope I have provided links to some very useful sites. So take your shoes off, relax, and make yourself at home! You never know what interesting thing you might find...

Speech Pathologist and Audiologist Specific Sites:
Currently Under Construction.....
If you are a professional, student or even just interested in Speech Language Pathology, the ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) website contains an amazing amount of helpful information with your needs in mind.

The NSSLHA (National Student Speech Language Hearing Association) website is specifically designed to give Speech Pathology students access to information which is pertinent to their continuing education.

If you are a contemplating applying to the Communication Disorders Program at Marshall University or even if you are a current student, take a virtual tour of our facility.

Are you a Speech-Language Pathologist who is looking for job? Would you like to chat with other SLP's? Would you like to obtain information on products available in our field? If so, you need to visit the Speech-Language Pathologist website to find what you need!

Research Resources:
Currently Under Construction.....

For detailed information on Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC), publications, and resources, visit ISAAC (the International Society of Alternative and Augmentative Communication.)

If you are interested in learning about AAC, join the ACOLUG (Augmentative Communication Online Users Group.)

For a list of AAC organizations and device vendors, visit the AAC Links website.

For helpful ideas about AAC and its products, visit the AAC Intervention website.

Need helpful information about AAC and young kids? Be sure to visit the YAACK (Augmentative and Alternative Communication Connecting Young Kids.)

FUN SITES:

If you ever find yourself engulfed in total boredom, don't fret because consolation is just around the corner!

Everybody needs a good laugh now and then.....

Do you ever wonder how people can be so stupid?!?!?

Have your eye on someone special? What are you waiting for? Let them know how you really feel.

My Personal Favorites:

This is for all of the wheelers and dealers of the world.....
Who wants to trade spaces?

Hey, get out and see the world!

Who's up for a Grand Slam breakfast?

Everyone needs a good pair of shoes.....

I see a vacation in my future.....

Communication is the key to successful relationships!

Do you really believe everything you hear?

What is happening in the fair city of Huntington?

Shoo wee....I'm glad the Learning Futures prompts are done. I have finally made it to the last assignment of week 2.

Trying to pin down a particular area of interest is not an easy thing to do. I am so fascinated by many areas, that I am having a hard time choosing just one. Maybe I can talk it out..... I really enjoyed Neuro last semester. The brain amazes and fascinates me. Just like every part of body, it is so intricately designed. I thought it was very interesting to learn about the different disorders and what part of the brain they affected. Although we haven't really studied much about it, I am interested in Augmentative Communication. I can't imagine what life would be like without being able to communicate effectively. I rely on communication on a minute by minute basis. What would I do without it? Yet I know that there are many people in our society who are unable to communicate their thoughts and ideas through words. The ear also fascinates me. I complained all the way through Audiology last semester. I wanted to enjoy it, but I just didn't understand everything. But that didn't take away from the fact that I liked learning about the ear and the disorders associated with it.

Well, I thought that maybe if I *talked* through my ideas I would talk myself right into a decision. Wrong, again. The more I think about them, the more I can't decide between them. Okay, I think for this purpose I am going to go with Augmentative Communication. After all, isn't communication what this class is based on?

I know very little about Augmentative Communication. I know its used to help people communicate in a form other than speech. Beyond that, I am about clueless. I think that this is one area of research that might be very beneficial to me and also very interesting. As Pooh would say: I am going to "think, think, think" about an essential question.......