Closing the Gap in Real Life: Assistive Technology for Functional Communication and Family Carryover

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Format:

lecture

Subject Level:

beginner

Age Span:

infant / toddler
preschool
kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12
adult

Target Audience:

AT specialist
autism specialist
consultant
educator
family member / caregiver
K-12 administration
occupational therapist
paraprofessional
special educator
speech language pathologist

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

0.01

ACVREP CEs:

1

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Verandas 2, 4

Description:

This session will present an evidence-informed framework for implementing assistive technology within real-life environments to support functional communication and improve carryover. Participants will examine how AAC, low-tech supports, and environmental modifications can be embedded into daily routines to increase independence and generalization. Through case-based and video examples from a nature-based therapy setting, attendees will analyze how communication opportunities can be structured within meaningful activities. The session will demonstrate strategies for training caregivers and teams to implement assistive technology with consistency and fidelity. Participants will leave with practical tools to assess, implement, and support assistive technology in ways that reduce device abandonment, improve participation, and produce measurable functional outcomes.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• As a result of this activity, participants will be able to identify at least three functional strategies for embedding assistive technology into daily routines to support communication across environments.

• As a result of this activity, participants will be able to demonstrate a structured approach for training caregivers or support staff to implement assistive technology with 80% fidelity.

• As a result of this activity, participants will be able to analyze a case scenario and select appropriate assistive technology tools based on individual communication needs and environmental factors.

Disclosures:

Becky Payne is the Founder and Director of Nature’s Edge Therapy Center, a nonprofit outpatient therapy program, and receives a salary for her role. She does not receive financial compensation from manufacturers or providers of assistive technology, AAC devices, or related commercial products discussed in this presentation. No other relevant financial or non-financial relationships exist that could be perceived as a conflict of interest. Any products or tools discussed are presented for educational purposes only, and no endorsement is intended.