This course is intended for individuals who plan for and work with students with Complex Communication Needs ranging from early childhood through transition age. This includes assistive technology professionals, speech-language pathologists, teachers, teaching assistants, occupational therapists, physical therapists and parents.

Research has shown that the majority of individuals who have complex communication needs (CCN), and who may require AAC, do not have functional literacy skills. Furt

This course is intended for individuals who plan for and work with students with Complex Communication Needs ranging from early childhood through transition age. This includes assistive technology professionals, speech-language pathologists, teachers, teaching assistants, occupational therapists, physical therapists and parents.

Research has shown that the majority of individuals who have complex communication needs (CCN), and who may require AAC, do not have functional literacy skills. Furthermore, most of these individuals have not had the opportunity to participate in appropriate evidence-based literacy instruction (The Pennsylvania State University, 2006).Therefore, it is vital for professionals who work with those who have CCN to engage them in robust literacy instruction. This training will provide participants with an overview of the key components of literacy instruction as well as best practices in literacy instruction for these individuals. Participants will also be introduced to resources and strategies to assist with planning for literacy instruction for their students.

COST INFORMATION: Workshop fee* waived for NSSED employees, Member District* employees, and parents of students in our member districts. For individual participants who do not meet the above criteria, certain fees will apply. NSSED reserves the right to cancel any workshop due to low enrollment. Registration or material fee per participant will be indicated when registering and billed after the 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.