Empowering Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Users (Brown - Online)

Course overview

As speech-language pathologists, we understand the complexity of communication and the importance of functional communication skills for any individual, but more specifically, for a child. Through the implementation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), we can provide an immediate means of communication for children with speech/language delays and disorders. Unfortunately, while a child may show great promise or progress in our speech sessions, they may receive little to no carryover in their classrooms or other settings, which can drastically impact their functionality and overall carryover of their skills. Research supports that the use of AAC in the classroom not only supports a student's communication skills but also their academic and social skills. This course is designed to provide therapists with the knowledge and skills necessary to support AAC users and increase the implementation and carryover of their device use in the classroom and school environments. Throughout this course you will learn how to provide individualized interventions and vocabulary sets, aid in creating supportive communication environments, and how to effectively integrate AAC into everyday activities and routines, thus, ensuring meaningful communication experiences for AAC users. The course emphasizes the importance of sustained carryover, providing practical guidance on promoting consistent AAC usage across various contexts and with different communication partners. By the end of the course, participants will demonstrate a deeper understanding of AAC principles and a toolkit of evidence-based strategies to empower AAC users, educators, and their communication partners.