This course is offered for .2 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level, Professional Area). ASHA CEUs are only awarded to those persons who are valid members of the ASHA Registry.
Do you have a student or child who has received a brand new AAC device and you are not sure how he/she is going to use the system throughout the day at home or school? Does your student or child have a device that he/she doesn’t use as much as they could? Or maybe you have a student who benefits from classroom-based communication supports for specific activities, but you're looking for more? Supporting individuals using AAC can be an overwhelming task, but with careful consideration and planning, implementation of communication supports doesn’t have to be so daunting. This session will review the primary goals of AAC and will provide participants with the helpful tools and strategies to successfully integrate AAC throughout the day.
Outcomes:
By the end of this session participants will be able to:
State three considerations that encourage effective communication for individuals with Complex Communication Needs (CCN).
Describe the steps of the Dynamic Problem Solving Process.
Identify a communication implementation plan that may work for the individual with CCN whom they support.
Describe six communication partner strategies that may be included in an implementation plan.
Who Should Attend: This session is geared towards Assistive Technology Professionals, SLPs, OTs, PTs, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Parents, or anyone else who works with students who benefit from communication supports or have complex communication needs.
Satisfactory completion requirements:
- Attendance is based on your virtual signature in and out of the Zoom Chat in the session. Failure to provide a virtual signature in and out will result in no credit.
- Participants are expected to attend the entire session to earn credit.
- Participants are required to complete a pre and post test. Credit is given for completion of pre and post test, regardless of score.
- Participants must complete an electronic course evaluation within two weeks of the session date to be sent a certificate.
- Accommodations, questions and complaints can be directed to: ProfessionalLearning@nssed.org.
Cost Information: There is a $10 processing Fee for individuals pursuing ASHA CEUs regardless of their affiliation with NSSED. Session fees are waived for NSSED employees, NSSED member district employees, and parents of students in our NSSED member districts. For individual participants who do not meet the above criteria, this course participation fee is $75.00. All registration or material fees will be billed directly to the school district that employs the participant after the session is complete or the first session in a series is complete. Individuals are asked to not bring payment to the session.
Cancellations: There is no cancellation fee, though we ask for advanced notice to open the spot for another person. NSSED reserves the right to cancel any workshop due to low enrollment.
Refunds: There is no cancellation fee, though we ask for advance notice to open the spot for another person. NSSED reserves the right to cancel any session due to low enrollment. NSSED does not charge prior to the start of the offered session. If an individual attends the first day of a learning series but is unable to attend the remaining sessions, the school district that employs the participant is able to designate an alternate person. It is up the individual no longer attending the program to give their replacement the information learned in the first session.
*Member Districts include: Northbrook 27, Northbrook 28, Sunset Ridge 29, Glenview/Northbrook 30, West Northfield 31, Glenview 34, Glencoe 35, Winnetka 36, Kenilworth 38, Lake Bluff 65, Lake Forest 67, Bannockburn 106, Deerfield 109, North Shore 112, Township HS 113, Lake Forest 115, New Trier 203, Glenbrook 225.
Have a question? Check out the Professional Learning FAQs or contact professionallearning@nssed.org.
About the Presenters:
Emily Stith is a licensed speech-language pathologist and a member of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In addition to speech-language pathology, Emily holds a masters degree in Special Education. Emily works as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Coach for NSSED’s Integrated-Assistive Technology Services Department. She has experience working with students with complex communication needs across a variety of age ranges. She is also a speech-language pathologist with NSSED’s Structured Academic Integrated Learning (SAIL) program. Emily supports teams in obtaining and implementing a wide variety of AAC supports and strategies.
Financial Disclosure: Emily Stith is an employee of the Northern Suburban Special Education District and receives a salary.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Emily Stith has no relevant non-financial relationships.
Erika Soltykiewicz is a licensed speech-language pathologist and a member of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Erika works as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Coach for NSSED’s Integrated-Assistive Technology Services Department. She has experience working with students with complex communication needs ranging from preschool to transition age in both NSSED programs and member districts. Erika also supports and collaborates with teams in assessments, implementation, and problem solving.
Financial Disclosure: Erika Soltykiewicz is an employee of the Northern Suburban Special Education District and receives a salary.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Erika Soltykiewicz has no relevant non-financial relationships.
