Strategies for Working with Individuals with Complex Communication Needs

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Format:

lecture

Subject Level:

intermediate

Age Span:

preschool
kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12

Target Audience:

AT specialist
autism specialist
family member / caregiver
occupational therapist
speech language pathologist
university professor / personnel

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

0.01

ACVREP CEs:

1

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Verandas 6, 8

Description:

Everyone communicates” and “presuming potential” are foundations to AAC implementation practice, but what do you do when the person you are working with isn’t paying attention to provided AAC supports, has limited approach to the AAC tool, or activates messages without perceived purpose to communicate with their partner? Using the Non-linguistic Indicators for Device Use by Bruce Helmbold, this session will focus on how to apply this framework to inform implementation strategies to teach use of AAC. Tangible, evidence-based clinical applications of how to impact engagement, activation, and selectivity skills for AAC tool use will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes:

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

• Describe 3 ways in which the Non-Linguistic Indicators of Device Use rubric (Helmbold) can be used to inform AAC treatment focus for transdisciplinary teams.

• Identify 3 factors influencing an individual’s assessment of “poor” activation, engagement, or selectivity skills when trialing devices.

• Identify three strategies to implement when non-linguistic indicators of AAC tool use is assessed to be “poor."

Disclosures:

Molly Grabill is an employee of St. Louis Children's Hospital
Jane K. Quarles receives royalties received from author of Empower Communication Board, published by Attainment Co. 
Jane K. Quarles is an employee of St. Louis Children's Hospital