AAC Conference

Kicks off Live September 14th!

This session will provide an introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. We will bust common AAC myths such as the candidacy model and the expert model. We will discuss who can benefit from AAC and best practices. We will provide definitions for common terms you will hear throughout the conference such as Aided Language Input, and robust AAC. This session will also review key terms, including language variety, bidialectalism, and bilingualism. We will discuss the different forms of AAC and how and why centering and understanding an individual's cultural heritage and language experiences inform our practices. We will identify and discuss barriers to accessing services based on our professional, clinical experiences and the AAC research literature. Lastly, this session will outline and discuss actionable steps that practitioners can immediately utilize to mitigate some of these barriers; discuss solutions such as utilizing a family-centered approach; and how to implement a culturally responsive approach to assessments, device selection, service delivery, and implementation of tools.

The Stutter Series

Replays through February 29, 2024

Everything you need to help you understand stuttering- from assessment to intervention. This series will also demystify eligibility and delve into how to build trust with clients and their families. We will explore verbal diversity and hear perspectives and insight from those who stutter.

The Equity Series

Replays through December 31, 2023

The Equity Series is a 2 Day virtual continuing education event featuring speakers and topics that represent the needs of students, clients, patients, and colleagues from marginalized and minoritized communities. This year's theme is Rethinking Equity! We are shifting from good intent to extraordinary impact and ACTION. Equity is intentionally ensuring that EVERYONE has access and opportunity to what they need to succeed and thrive. Join us as we identify and address topics like AAC for bilingual users, empowering monolinguals treating bilingual speakers, addressing burnout, equity for the deaf community and so much more.

Embracing Expertise Series

Replays through September 30, 2023

This year, the focus is on language sampling and will be presented by Drs. Stacey Pavelko and Janna Oetting. As SLPs, we are often taught about language sampling, but it might not be presented in a way that is applicable to our specific settings, or “do-able” given our heavy workloads. But, language samples are such powerful and data-rich tools for clinical decision making! There is no better way to be an evidence-based clinician than to use language sampling! This is particularly true for SLPs who work with children who speak non-mainstream dialects of English. In this 4 hour, ASHA-CEU-approved-series, you will embrace your expertise related to collecting and analyzing language samples.

Scaffolding Stories: Tech-Up Your Narrative Language Intervention

Looking for new ways to target narrative language and its building blocks? Story elements, semantics and syntax can be developed through the use of simple, motivating and visual tech tools. This course will describe tricks and resources for assessing and building narrative language skills with the use of web tools and apps, along with a wealth of examples!

Using Picture Books to Target Goals with Mixed Groups

Children with language impairments are at high risk for difficulty in learning to read and write. SLPs bring knowledge of communication disorders and language acquisition to the literacy table and can play an important and collaborative role in literacy development. (ASHA 2020) This makes books powerful tools to use in any therapy session. In this presentation, we will discuss the process for selecting and using inclusive picture books and how to use beautiful, diverse books as a vehicle to improve speech, language and literacy skills. Participants will be challenged to reconsider book selection and instructed on how to use books to explore emotions and different perspectives.

Snacking Your Way Through Speech and Language Goals

This course will provide a framework for targeting goals as well as specific recommendations for planning and executing successful therapy sessions during “snack time”. We will explore how to select and implement relevant speech and language goals. We will also discuss effective tools and multisensory strategies that can be used to support students during “snack time”. Lastly, the presenter will share practical tips and tricks to ensure that the experience is fun and memorable for all.

Complex Communication Needs: Beyond the Basics

If you have students with complex communication needs using augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) on your caseload, then you’re in the right place! Sometimes therapy can feel tricky with this population, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this course, we will explore best practices for treating complex communication needs along with activities that go beyond the basics you already know and support the curriculum in the classroom. Using what you already know about language intervention and pairing it with evidence-based practice for AAC, we will have you feeling confident to take on this next school year.

Strategies to Increase Regulation & Communication in Your Autistic Students

A deep understanding of sensory processing is integral to our work with autistic children. In order to target our communication goals in the most effective way possible, our students need to be regulated. This presentation will inspire a new way of thinking about the SLP’s role in addressing sensory needs. Attendees will walk away with new ideas for integrating sensory strategies into their sessions in order to improve attention, build engagement, and increase communication.