Hi Alisa,
Yes.  I agree.  We work with what we have and do the best we can for our patients.  By offering items that most of us don't have the time or even knowledge required to make, Margaret is going to help us all improve services to our patients.  That is why I am so excited about her low tech AAC store and educational website.  Her website is even designed for the very isolated family that has no access to an SLP and has to figure it all out on their own.  Her site conscientiously encourages them to seek assistance from professionals but also addresses the sad reality that some people, for many reasons, will not receive any professional AAC/AT services.
 
Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist

Forbes Norris ALS Research Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
P (415)600-1263
F (415)673-5184



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--- On Thu, 3/10/11, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Laser pointer
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2011, 7:42 AM

While I agree, the ideal is to have a patient turn it on or off, that is not always possible. Sometimes PALS need a solution immediately and using alternative lasers is good in that situation.  Or perhaps they live in an area of the country that does not have a professional that can adapt a laser.  So, although we strive for the ideal, some folks can't get access to that, so I think we always need to consider all avenues.
Thanks,
Alisa

Alisa Brownlee, ATP
Clinical Manager, Assistive Technology Services
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Association National Office
and Greater Philadelphia Chapter
Direct Phone: 215-631-1877

________________________________

From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Amy Roman
Sent: Wed 3/9/2011 6:36 PM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: Laser pointer


Hi Alisa,
Sounds like a good solution.  I just really like the pt to be able to turn the laser pointers on and off themselves for two reasons.
1.  When a partner is talking the pALS looks at them they end up zapping them in the eye with a laser beam.  Even the eye safe ones feel uncomfortable to have shined in your eyes.  Also, I have worked in facilities that are nervous about lasers in their staff/pt's eyes and I am afraid if the laser was on all the time (or when not directly being used for communication )it would cause them to say no to the whole solution.

2.  When my pt can turn the laser on and off, their communication partners know when they have something to say and when they don't.  Otherwise I find after a while no one is paying attention to where a pALS is pointing his/her laser.  When he turns it on though it is like an announcement that he is joining the conversation.  When he turns it off it is a clear message and no one needs to ask "Are you still spelling something to us???" 

Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist

Forbes Norris ALS Research Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
P (415)600-1263
F (415)673-5184



CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVILEGED: This communication contains information
intended only for the use of the individuals to whom it is addressed
and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from other disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are notified that any disclosure, printing, copying,
distribution or use of the contents is prohibited. If you have
received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone or by returning it by reply email and then permanently deleting the communicationfrom your system.
Thank you.

--- On Wed, 3/9/11, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:



    From: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    Subject: RE: Laser pointer
    To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 3:07 PM
   
   
    I use ones for boar hunting rifles.  They are small, like a pencil.  Once you turn them on, they stay on for the day. 
    Some folks take them apart and reconfigure them--Margart Cotts may have instructions.  But I am not handy like that, so I use the hunting ones.   (I pay $39.00 for each of them.  Buy them at Walmart in the sporting goods section)
   
    A
   
    Alisa Brownlee, ATP
    Clinical Manager, Assistive Technology Services
    ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Association National Office
    and Greater Philadelphia Chapter
    Direct Phone: 215-631-1877
   
    ________________________________
   
    From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://us.mc812.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>  on behalf of Erin Singleton
    Sent: Wed 3/9/2011 5:46 PM
    To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://us.mc812.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    Subject: Laser pointer
   
   
    Hi everyone-
   
    Can someone suggest a place I can get a laser pointer that turns on and off without requiring hand usage. I know someone had told me about a kit a while back. Someone also mentioned hunting stores selling them??
   
    Erin Singleton M.A., CCC-SLP
    Neuroscience Outpatient Rehabilitation Center
    2335 East Kashian Lane, Suite 301
    Fresno, California 93701
    Office: (559) 459-6056
    Cell: (559) 250-1949
    Fax: (559) 459-2957
    Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://us.mc812.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
   
   
   
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