Augmentative and Alternative Communication Essentials for Speech Therapists

This course will teach participants essential guidelines to consider when assessing for and implementing Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) across a diverse population of students. Attendees will learn how to select appropriate vocabulary, support user motor planning, provide effective prompting strategies and how to successfully train a student’s circle of support to achieve optimal communication progress. Additional emphasis will be on motivating therapy activities that can increase engagement and connection when working with AAC users.

Explore Course

Presenters

Rachel Madel
M.A. CCC-SLP
Rachel Madel is a Los Angeles-based speech-language pathologist who coaches parents and professionals on how to utilize technology to support communication development in children with complex communication needs. Rachel specializes in augmentative alternative communication (AAC) and presents to clinicians both nationally and abroad on using technology to support children with autism. When she’s not working with children in her private practice, she co-hosts a weekly podcast called “Talking with Tech” that discusses evidence-based practices in AAC. Her work has been featured in Autism Parenting Magazine, Speech Science, Praactical AAC, Xceptional Ed, Teachers with Apps and ChildNEXUS. She is the founder of a digital media company www.rachelmadel.com that provides educational resources, therapy materials and training videos to help support parents and professionals of children with complex communication needs. You can follow her on social media @rachelmadelslp

Learning Objectives

List a variety of common considerations necessary to select and implement AAC successfully.
Recognize basic implementation strategies to successfully support communication with AAC users.
Name at least 3 new tools that can be utilized to facilitate language opportunities with AAC users.

Agenda

10 minutes	Basic AAC Foundations/Myths
10 minutes	Setting up for AAC Success
10 minutes	Vocabulary Approach
15 minutes	Getting Team Buy-In/Coaching
15 minutes	Therapy Ideas

Disclosures

Speakers - Financial	Rachel is the owner of Rachel Madel Speech Therapy Inc. (a private practice). She sells resources on her blog (rachelmadel.com/shop), Teachers Pay Teachers, and Boom Card store.
Speakers - Nonfinancial	Rachel is an ASHA Member, CSHA Member, XceptionalEd Podcast Network Member, and ASHA Sig 12 Member (Augmentative & Alternative Communication Special Interest).
Course - Content	Rachel will be sharing free resources that sign participants up to her email list (App Guide, Communication Board download + AAC Coaching Bundle).
Course - Financial Support & In Kind	This webinar was funded by our sponsors, SLP Toolkit and SLP Now. We would also like to thank the presenter(s) of this course who have provided their speaking services at no charge.

ASHA

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs, Introductory Level, Professional Area, Professional Area