Notes 2 Live By, LLC

04/20/2026

Wait time is so so important! I tell people I am coaching to wait, wait till you are uncomfortable, and then wait a little longer. AAC takes time!

Waiting for their message is always worth it though. And you are showing them you care enough to be patient and hear what they have to say without interruptions 💕

04/15/2026

Comment MUSIC to get the link to register!

Music can be a powerful pathway to communication—and when paired intentionally with AAC, it can open meaningful language opportunities.

Join us for LAMP in Action: Music as a Pathway to Language, a live webinar on May 1, 2026 (5:00–6:30 pm ET) with Shelley Anderson, MT‑BC, LAMP Certified Professional.

Shelley will share practical, transferable strategies for embedding AAC into musical moments using rhythm, repetition, and predictability. Through real video examples, participants will see how core vocabulary can be modeled in engaging, functional ways that support participation and connection.

This session is valuable for Music Therapists, SLPs, OTs, educators, parents, and caregivers—no musical experience required.

04/06/2026

Join me tonight! It will be a great way to see music therapy and AAC in action!

You still have time to register for this FREE webinar happening today:
April 6, 2026 3–4 pm PDT | 4–5 pm MDT | 5–6 pm CDT | 6–7 pm EDT
Register Here: https://prc-saltillo.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HkXnOeeqS1uis-LLuB-LSA

Have you ever watched music “unlock” communication—before you could explain why it worked?

That’s exactly what we’re diving into in Beyond Words: When Music Meets AAC. In this webinar, music therapist and LAMP Certified Professional Shelley Anderson, MT-BC, shares practical ways she blends AAC and music to support meaningful communication growth across ages and abilities.

You’ll see real examples from music therapy sessions and videos showing AAC in action—and explore how musical structure, shared joy, and motor planning principles can naturally support language development.

This isn’t a “you need to be musical” session. It’s designed to be usable right away—whether you’re an SLP, parent, music therapist, educator, or team partner in another discipline.

April 6, 2026
3–4 pm PDT | 4–5 pm MDT | 5–6 pm CDT | 6–7 pm EDT

Live attendees will receive a certificate of attendance (ASHA CEUs are not provided).
Can’t make it live? The recording will be posted to the Center for AAC & Autism YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsxtIzPlom78Ae_i83eNYl4MVe6O4DtGd

04/04/2026

Music school ruined this for us! But music therapy is not about perfect sounding music! It’s about how to e music is working in the session. This means the music will not always sound like the recording!

When modeling there will be pauses, you can let the sound resonate out as this happens but you will stop and wait for them to sing their word with the device.

This is where the therapy happens! In the pauses in the miss hits, in the joy!

04/01/2026

I got some feedback that there were people wanting to learn about AAC but the time and cost were a barrier so we pivoted! This training is free to all who want to join!

AAC isn’t intuitive but it is much easier when you understand how the program is laid out! All of the AAC apps have features to help the communication partner and the AAC user.

Join me as I walk through each app screen sharing so that you can see all of the features!

Many of the apps are on sale this month so now is the time to learn about their features!

https://mainstaymusictherapy.com/product/aac-apps-what-to-know-before-you-buy-or-recommend/

03/30/2026

Stop blindly buying AAC apps and learn which one would be best for you based on the features.

The number one question I get from professionals is what app should they have at their clinic. And there isn’t 1 best answer! As all the apps go on sale in April come learn about the features of each one so that you can make an informed choice!

If you are doing AaC assessments this will help you u destined the differences and features of each app so that you can feature match for your clients.

03/25/2026

This is not the end of the world but is an example of what happens when I move too fast! He looked at me like I had lost my mind the 2nd time- as he should! 😅🫠

There is no need to read the AAC users device, they will say their message when they are ready. This strategy typically helps me have better wait time and encourages him to not rely on his communication partner to hover over him. This provides more independence!

For him it also allows him to create his message however he wants! He uses a mix of typing and preprogrammed buttons.

03/24/2026

April is Autism Awareness month and lots of the robots AAC app go on sale! In preparation for that I am hosing a webinar that talks though all of the major robust apps. One of the questions I get asked the most is what app should you have on your iPad or in your clinic! I want everyone to be able to make an informed decision on what app to buy on sale if they are considering it. This will help you determine which one may be the best for you to be familiar with based on the people that you work with.

Not wanting to participate in the app sale? No problem! This is a good chance for you to get familiar with the apps so that you can know more about them when they show up in your sessions!

Sign up here: https://mainstaymusictherapy.com/product/aac-apps-what-to-know-before-you-buy-or-recommend/

Objectives:
Identify key features of major AAC apps, including layout, organization, and navigation, to better understand how each system is structured.

Apply a simple framework for evaluating AAC apps in order to make informed purchasing or recommendation decisions for your setting.

03/21/2026

Happy is a well known song that most people could pull the book off the shelf and use in session!

Focus on:
✅ pronouns
✅ Feelings
✅Ends of phrases (if you want)

What musical books are your favorites??

03/18/2026

AAC Advocacy at your fingertips!! Feel confident dispelling myths and helping people who are hesitant about AAC understand what it is and typically more importantly what it is not.

Comment AAC for a link!

A teacher shared “Guiding Families Through AAC: Practical tools and handouts for advocacy and buy in by Shelley Anderson is a must-read for all SLPs, Special Ed teachers, and individuals who work with people with communication differences. This all-encompassing resource truly lays the foundation for understanding what AAC is and how it can be used to foster communication. AAC isn’t just high tech, it’s low tech, eye gaze, and so much more! This resource provided me with great ideas, sample language to use with my students’ parents, and potential accommodations to support and foster communication. I absolutely will be referring back to this resource for years to come.”