Jump Start to AAC: Rethinking AAC Participation and Services

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 discuss language variety, bidialectalism, and bilingualism. Encouraging bilingualism and use of language varieties other than General American English, such as African American English and Appalachian English, in AAC services is not only best practice but also a matter of social equity. When practitioners deliver services through a mainstream lens that centers western ideologies, we deny opportunities to foster bilingualism and bidialectalism in individuals with complex communication needs. 'An individual's life experiences are impacted greatly by his or her own cultural and linguistic background' (Beukelman and Light, 2020, p. 25). Therefore, AAC assessment and interventions must be appropriately planned for and provided based on the individual’s cultural and linguistic background. Additionally, 'AAC teams must demonstrate cultural competence if they are to provide effective AAC services to individuals and families from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds' (Harris, 2015 as cited by Beukelman & Light, 2020, p. 26). 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.

Enhancing Your Culturally Responsive Bilingual AAC Intervention Tool Belt

According to Soto & Yu, 2014, AAC intervention practices should include working with the individual’s family and community to reinforce learning across the home, community, and school; understanding and supporting the second language acquisition, and acknowledging that second language learning is not helped by eradication of the first language but rather is built on a strong foundation of first language and culture; and providing tools to create a therapeutic environment where bilingualism is practiced and encouraged. Following these suggestions, we will be reviewing AAC intervention strategies through a cultural-linguistic responsive lens. In this session, we will be reviewing expansion, aided language stimulation, descriptive teaching, Milieu teaching, shared book reading, core word, and total communication intervention strategies with dual-language learners. We will identify language dominance, how to observe communication partners, identify AAC users' environments, interviewing stakeholders, identifying appropriate vocabulary, and demonstrating implementation of dual-language for bilingual and monolingual SLPs. Our presentation will include demonstration sessions of the various implementation strategies and language/literacy therapy ideas.

Unlocking the Potential: A Guide to AAC Candidacy

This session addresses the hesitation and uncertainty surrounding the early implementation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). There is often a feeling in our stomach that tells us our client needs AAC before we begin seeking it. What stops us from trialing AAC earlier? Are we not sure if they really need AAC? Maybe they just need intensive therapy? What if I don’t have access to any AAC apps? An overview and practical information will be provided to determine which populations would benefit from AAC. Participants will review a variety of case studies and determine if an individual is a candidate for high tech AAC or what alternative supports would be beneficial. This course will also present resources for access to high tech AAC as well as how to find additional support.

Let’s Get Digital! Engaging Activities to Support AAC Learning

Pandemic teaching introduced us to a whole new world of digital activities, which can still be used during in-person therapy and teaching. This session will explore easy-to-acquire and highly engaging digital materials to support AAC learning. Come and fill your toolbox with resources that will make AAC support fun and functional!

AAC Implementation in the Classroom

Authentic inclusion in mainstream education poses challenges for every student. This session aims to explore effective strategies for supporting Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users in both social and academic aspects of the general education classroom. Focusing on peer support and integration of AAC, we will discuss ways to benefit all learners. Additionally, we will delve into the descriptive teaching model, and examine its potential for academic differentiation. Join us for a dynamic session brimming with practical ideas, facilitating meaningful curriculum interactions and fostering a rich social environment for all students. Get ready for an engaging and educational experience!

Parent Coaching Strategies for AAC in the Home

This session will address the importance of parent involvement with AAC in the home setting. Research shows that when parents have the tools and strategies to support AAC implementation they model more words and feel more confident with the device. For SLPs, knowing how to use a coaching service delivery model can increase the positive outcomes of AAC for your clients.

Introduction to Gestalt Language Processing and AAC

This session will address what we know (and don’t know) about everyday clinical practice for our AAC users that are Gestalt Language Processors. We will share both family and professional experiences, while also addressing the research, identifying speaking/non-speaking GLPs, AAC app feature matching, the theory of programming, & implementation.

Does Everyone Have a Voice? Ensuring Equitable AACcess to the Black Diaspora

There are persisting barriers to accessing and participating in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems and services for children across the Black diaspora, with complex communication needs (CCN). Black children disproportionately experience delays in participating in intensive early intervention services (Keller-Bell, 2017; Mandell, 2007). Research has consistently shown that children with CCN benefit from the early diagnosis and provision of early intervention services including speech, language, and AAC services. However, when parent concerns arise, young Black children often do not receive an accurate initial diagnosis, which may further contribute to a developmental language delay. On average, Black children are diagnosed 1.6 years later than their White counterparts (Keller-Bell, 2017). This delay in an initial diagnosis is typically caused by professional biases, lack of consistent access to quality healthcare and early childhood education, distrust in the medical and educational systems, and lack of awareness of available therapies and resources (Hyter & Salas-Provance, 2019). This too causes a delay in service provision in an already inequitable system. According to Pope et al. (2022), Black children receive less intervention in the area of AAC in comparison to their White peers, which persists over time. Once services are offered, culturally responsive AAC assessments and family-centered interventions are not always utilized and prioritized. Considerations for clinicians include conducting the assessment utilizing a family-centered paradigm to understand the impact that a family member having access to and using an AAC system has on the family. Black children face racial inequities, disparities, and persistent barriers to AAC services and systems which may be present at the individual, institutional, or structural level and may lead to discrimination, impacting service provision (Davis, 2005). According to Pope & Light (2022), research continues to show that access to AAC-based intervention and instruction in preschool and early elementary school is crucial when supporting children’s participation in school, communication, social development, and overall outcomes throughout their lives (Drager et al., 2010). This course will educate and empower clinicians to identify the persistent barriers to AAC services, systems, and support to Black children and provide actionable steps to overcome these disproportionate and persisting hurdles that these young, Black AAC users and their families face. We will discuss the importance of early identification and implementation of AAC in this community. Additionally, this course will also focus on AAC considerations when working with members of the Black community. Lastly, we will discuss solutions for providing appropriate assessments, services, and tools for Black, pediatric AAC users and their families and communities.

AAC Unveiled: Dispelling Myths and Empowering Communication - A Panel Discussion

In this engaging panel discussion, we bring together experts in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to address frequently asked questions and debunk prevalent myths. Throughout this course, our esteemed panelists will delve into the fundamentals of AAC, discussing its significance, benefits, and the vast range of users who can benefit from these innovative solutions. Together, we will shed light on the misconceptions surrounding AAC, dismantling barriers that might hinder its widespread acceptance. Join us for this enlightening panel discussion, where you will gain valuable insights into the world of an AAC user, discover inspiring success stories, and acquire the tools needed to advocate for inclusive communication practices. Whether you are a caregiver, educator, therapist, or someone interested in empowering individuals with communication difficulties, this course will provide you with a deeper understanding of AAC's potential and power.