AAC that Sticks: Strategies for Building Staff Capacity

AAC that Sticks: Strategies for Building Staff Capacity

Presenters

• 

  Samantha Hagness

  M.S., CCC-SLP

  Samantha Hagness, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Specialist with Mesa Public Schools in Arizona. Prior to her current role, she worked as a school-based speech-language pathologist for approximately 10 years. Samantha is also the co-owner of Assistive Technology Connection, a company that develops resources and provides professional development and consultation for educators and clinicians.

  Samantha earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and her master’s degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona. She holds a graduate certificate in Assistive Technology from Northern Arizona University and completed Portland State University’s bilingual speech-language pathology abroad program.

  She is an active member of the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA), where she served as Community Relations Chair for five years. She is currently a member of ArSHA’s AAC Committee.

  Samantha has co-authored articles on assistive technology implementation and advocacy for ASHA Leader, Closing the Gap’s Solutions, and Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine and has presented at state and national conferences.

• 

  Becky Woolley

  C-SLPA, ATP

  Becky Woolley is an ASHA-certified SLPA and maintains the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional certification. She is an Assistive Technology Specialist for Mesa Public Schools and co-founder of Assistive Technology Connection. A dedicated advocate for communicative autonomy, she serves as a member of the ArSHA AAC Committee, contributing to the advancement of AAC standards and resources within the state.

  With over a decade of experience supporting students with complex communication needs, Becky specializes in the practical implementation of assistive technology tools in the K-12 setting. She has co-authored articles on assistive technology implementation and advocacy for ASHA Leader, Closing the Gap’s Solutions, and Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine. Becky has presented at state and national conferences, motivated by a desire to share the practical strategies she has found to be effective in classrooms. She is committed to bridging the gap for students by empowering educators to provide meaningful and effective support.

Learning Objectives

Describe 3 ways to build staff capacity through strengths-based collaboration.

List 3 key elements to include in AAC implementation plans.

Construct a bank of 2 anecdotes that promote presuming potential to share with staff.

Agenda

Agenda

5 minutes	Introduction
15 minutes	Identifying and reframing resistance
20 minutes	Changing underlying beliefs by addressing purpose
15 minutes	Creating implementation plans
5 minutes	Conclusion & Q&A

Disclosures

Disclosures

Financial:	Samantha Hagness, M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her) receives a salary from Mesa Public Schools and is the co-owner of Assistive Technology Connection. Becky Woolley C-SLPA, ATP (she/her) receives a salary from Mesa Public Schools and is the co-owner of Assistive Technology Connection
Non-Financial:	Samantha Hagness, M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her) is a member of Arizona’s Speech-Language Hearing Association's AAC Committee. Becky Woolley C-SLPA, ATP (she/her) is a member of Arizona’s Speech-Language Hearing Association's AAC Committee.
Content:	Samantha Hagness has no additional content information to disclose. Becky Woolley has no additional content information to disclose.

ASHA

ASHA

This course is offered for .1 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate Level, Professional Area

To earn ASHA CEUs you must complete the courses by viewing them, provide course feedback, pass the exams with a score of 80 or more, provide your ASHA credentials, and confirm submission.

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