Does your classroom, or a classroom you support, have a variety of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools collecting dust because you aren't quite sure how to use them with the students in your class? Do you want to establish a base of AAC tools to support the communication needs of ALL students in your classroom? Then join us for a hands-on make and take session. We will discuss the difference between classroom-based and dedicated AAC tools, and review a variety of these AAC too
Does your classroom, or a classroom you support, have a variety of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools collecting dust because you aren't quite sure how to use them with the students in your class? Do you want to establish a base of AAC tools to support the communication needs of ALL students in your classroom? Then join us for a hands-on make and take session. We will discuss the difference between classroom-based and dedicated AAC tools, and review a variety of these AAC tools you may find in your classroom. We will also review strategies to facilitate use of these tools across the day for students. Throughout the day participants will be guided by the AAC coaches in creating supports to use with the AAC tools in their classroom, as well as creating low-tech/no-tech communication supports to be immediately implemented with students. Participants should bring laptops with Boardmaker software/Boardmaker Online account information, if available to them.
Outcomes: At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- State the difference between classroom-based AAC tools/devices and student specific/dedicated AAC tools/devices.
- State 5 different AAC tools that could be included in an AAC "box" or inventory of classroom tools.
- State 3 different strategies to facilitate use of classroom based AAC tools/devices.
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to program a variety of AAC tools and create their own materials to support use.
Who Should Attend: This session is geared towards Assistive Technology Professionals, Speech-Language Pathologists, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Occupational/Physical Therapists, or anyone else looking to increase their knowledge of how to incorporate communication supports throughout the school day for students with complex communication needs.
Satisfactory completion requirements:
- Attendance is based on your signature in and out of the session. Failure to provide a signature in and out will result in no credit. Virtual attendance is taken via the Zoom Chat.
- Participants are expected to attend the entire session to earn credit.
- 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@truenorth804.org
Cost Information: Participation fees are waived for TrueNorth employees, TrueNorth member district employees, and parents of students in our TrueNorth member districts. For individual participants who do not meet the above criteria, this course participation fee is $75. Participation 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.
Cancellation and Refund Information: There is no cancellation fee, though we ask for advance notice to open the spot for another person. TrueNorth reserves the right to cancel any session due to low enrollment. TrueNorth 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 to the individual no longer attending the program to give their replacement the information learned in the first session.
About the Presenters: Anne Leahy is a licensed speech-language pathologist and a member of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Currently, Anne works as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Coach for NSSED’s Integrated-Assistive Technology Services Department. She has previously worked in a therapeutic school setting for children and adults with Developmental Disabilities and Autism, including those with complex communication needs. Anne collaborates and supports teams in the assessment and utilization of AAC equipment.
Financial Disclosure: Anne Leahy is an employee of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 and receives a salary.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Anne Leahy has no relevant non-financial relationships.
*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@truenorth804.org.