Best Practices in AAC Assessment

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Course Description:

When a child isn’t speaking or when speech doesn’t meet all of his or her communication needs across environments, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) may be appropriate. However, there are literally hundreds of apps, speech-generating devices, low-tech, and no-tech strategies available to help children who are unable to communicate effectively using their speech. Selection of an inappropriate system can lead to limited success or in some cases, system abandonment. How does one ensure selection of an appropriate communication system? With a feature-matching AAC assessment!

In this interactive, beginner-level, full-day workshop, participants will be provided with an overview of the AAC assessment process, learn about different access methods, see a variety of assessment instruments appropriate for individuals with complex communication needs (CCN), participate in interactive labs, watch video models, and problem-solve case studies. Report writing, funding, and strategies for conducting remote assessments will also be included.

Target Audience: This course will be of interest to speech-language pathologists working with children with complex communication needs.

About the Instructors:

Jill E. Senner, PhD, CCC-SLP has over 20 years of experience working with children with complex communication needs. She is the owner and director of Technology and Language Center where she specializes in providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services via telepractice. Dr. Senner presents lectures on AAC topics online and around the world, has published research articles and textbook chapters on AAC, and is an adjunct professor of speech-language pathology at DePaul University.

Matthew R. Baud, MS, CCC-SLP, has been working with AAC for over 20 years. He currently is the Assistive Technology Coordinator at Niles Township District for Special Education (NTDSE) performing evaluations, trainings and coaching communication partners. Matthew also has his own AAC private practice working with individuals with complex communication needs from birth through adulthood. He is an adjunct professor at Saint Xavier University where he teaches a graduate course in AAC and has presented at national and state conferences. Matthew has published research in areas of AAC.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Participants will list four communication assessment tools appropriate for children with complex communication needs.

2. Participants will describe three alternate access methods for children with physical impairments who cannot point or touch icons with a finger.

3. Participants will summarize at least four features of speech-generating devices (SGD) that should be matched to the child during an assessment.

4. Participants will name at least three funding sources for SGDs.

Course Schedule:

8:00-8:15 Collecting a Comprehensive Case History

8:15-9:15 Evaluating Speech and Language in Children with Complex Communication Needs

9:15-9:45 Remote Assessment Considerations

9:45-10:00 Lab – Language Sampling in AAC

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-11:15 Evaluating Access in Children with Physical Impairments

11:15-11:45 Demonstration – Motor Access in AAC

11:45-12:45 Lunch

12:45-1:45 Feature Matching in AAC

1:45-2:15 Remote Trials with AAC Systems

2:15-2:30 Break

2:30-3:00 Case Studies

3:00-3:15 Funding AAC Systems

3:15-3:45 Report Writing for AAC Funding Sources

3:45-4:00 Reflection, Resources & References, Question & Answer

4:00 Dismiss

Continuing Education Credits

Early Intervention credits have been applied for.

All participants will receive a course completion certificate upon successful completion of the conference. No certificates will be awarded until course completion is verified on the final date of the conference.

Special Accommodations: Please notify us of any special accommodations you may have by contacting us at 630.261.6191.