R-7 Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) Assessment Course

Presenters

• Heather DeFelice, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, AAC Specialist or
• Melissa Gardner, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, AAC Specialist

Format and Time

This program is a multi-component training that includes:

• In-Person Training days: 4 days, 5.5 hours each day (8:30-3:00)
• Self-study assignments: These must be completed before the first day of the training.
• AAC assessment and report: This will be completed after the in-person training.

Successful completion of all components—attendance on all four training days (22 hours), completion of the pre-training self-study (15 hours), and a passing score on the AAC assessment and report (15 hours)—will culminate in 52 hours of continuing education.

Content

This course provides in-depth training in the area of augmentative-alternative communication assessment for AAC specialists and school staff who support students with complex communication needs. Participants should have prior experience using a variety of low- and high-tech AAC tools in classroom and/or therapy settings. The course focuses on applying theory to practice, with an emphasis on understanding how cognitive, perceptual, and motor challenges affect communication and AAC decision-making. Participants will also gain hands-on experience with a range of AAC devices. This is not an introductory course.

Intended Audience

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), school psychologists, and occupational therapists who are qualified to conduct school-based assessments and who will be completing AAC assessments for their school district. This does not include teachers, administrators, or speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs). If an attendee is not a speech-language pathologist, he/she needs to attend with an SLP from his/her district to facilitate appropriate teaming. It is highly suggested that a speech-language pathologist, school psychologist, and occupational therapist from the same district attend together as AAC assessments are a team approach.

Audience Size: 32 participants

Participants Will

1. Understand the impact development has on AAC recommendations.
2. Understand the purposes and role of AAC for different levels of communicators.
3. Consider vocabulary, symbol sets, access methods within a variety of AAC systems.
4. Identify, describe, and interpret assessment procedures for children who may benefit from AAC.
5. Demonstrate the ability to conduct an AAC assessment and complete an AAC assessment report.

To register for this training, please visit our Training Sign-Up page.