Presenters: Heather DeFelice, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, AAC Specialist
or Melissa Gardner, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Commitment: Four 1-day in-person sessions plus completion of AAC assessment and report and self-study assignments. Attendance on all four dates plus successful completion of self-study assignments and an AAC assessment and report yields the certificate.
Time: 5.5 hours (8:30-3:00) each day, plus time to complete an AAC assessment and report. Self-study work will also be assigned and must be completed by Day 1 of the training.
Content: This program is intended to provide in-depth training in the area of augmentative-alternative communication assessment for AAC specialists and/or staff who serve children with complex communication needs in their school districts. Participants should have some experience with using several low– and high-tech devices with students in the classroom and/or therapy settings. The course will emphasize integrating theory with practice, conceptualizing the impact of cognitive, perceptual, and motor deficits on communicating and AAC recommendations, as well as provide direct experience with a sample of augmentative devices. This is not a beginner course.
Intended Audience: Speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, and occupational therapists who are qualified to conduct school-based assessments and who will be completing AAC assessments for their school district. This does not include teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals or SLPAs. If an attendee is not a speech-language pathologist, he/she needs to attend with an SLP from his/her district to facilitate appropriate teaming. It is highly suggested that a speech-language pathologist, school psychologist, and occupational therapist from the same district attend together as AAC assessments are a team approach.
Audience Size: 32 participants
Outcomes: Certificate recipients will be able to:
- Understand the impact development has on AAC recommendations.
- Understand the purposes and role of AAC for different levels of communicators.
- Consider vocabulary, symbol sets, access methods within a variety of AAC systems.
- Identify, describe, and interpret assessment procedures for children who may benefit from AAC.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct an AAC assessment and complete an AAC assessment report.