Beyond Buy-In: Partnering Authentically with Parents and Caregivers in AAC

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Format:

lecture

Subject Level:

intermediate

Age Span:

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

Target Audience:

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

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

0.01

ACVREP CEs:

1

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Plaza 1

Description:

This session explores how to authentically partner with parents and caregivers of AAC users, across the lifespan. Drawing from parent and caregiver interviews and research, participants will examine common challenges families face, including grief, trauma, and feelings of exclusion. Attendees will learn practical strategies for fostering collaborative, family-centered AAC practices, including interview questions for new and experienced AAC users, approaches to supporting caregivers through grief or past negative experiences, creating safe support groups, and teaming around device programming and maintenance—especially as users transition from school to adult services. Grounded in both research and lived experience, this session equips professionals to build trust, honor caregiver expertise, and co-create sustainable AAC supports, ensuring meaningful communication outcomes for children and adults alike.

Learning Outcomes:

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

• Analyze factors that contribute to caregiver feelings of exclusion and reduced engagement in AAC processes.

• Evaluate characteristics of authentic, collaborative partnerships between professionals and caregivers in AAC intervention.

• Apply strategies to improve caregiver collaboration and shared decision-making using insights from parent perspectives and case examples.

Disclosures:

Financial Disclosures:
• Salaried employee of Lane Education Service District

Non-Financial Disclosures:
• None