Date/Location:

October 20, 2021

Description:

According to the CDC’s most recent estimates, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now 1 in 54 school-age children in the US.  Given these ever-increasing numbers, many AAC specialists are seeing more clients with a diagnosis of ASD, who would benefit from AAC strategies and systems…and many autism specialists are just getting to know the amazing potential of AAC in their practice!  We will consider how any evidence based ASD intervention plan must target both social cognition and communication, while respecting neurodiversity, and personal choice.  Topics will include co-morbid diagnoses and their potential impact on communication, strategies for successful implementation of AAC systems and considerations for communication partner supports and parent coaching.  Case studies will help to illustrate the special considerations related to the implementation of AAC with children who have CCNs and ASD.

Speakers:

Deborah Laurent Witkowski, MA, CCC-SLP

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will be able to be able to state at least two other diagnoses that co-occur with autism and how they may impact communication abilities.

Participants will be able to describe 2 evidence-based, early intervention models that can be used to improve social attention in preparation for AAC in young children/ emerging communicators with ASD.

Participants will learn why it is so important to teach multiple communication functions for individuals with complex communication needs & ASD who use AAC.

______________________________________________________________________________

CEUs This activity is offered for up to 0.2 CEUs (1.5 hours of instruction). To register for CEUs:  

Download and complete the following forms.

Save the files names: 211020_SCS_Lastname_Firstname

Send both files to ceus@aacinstitute.org

Upon completion of the two forms and passing the quiz, a CEU certificate will be sent

Note: If any difficulty is encountered in using this form, write to ceus@aacinstitute.org to request an alternative file format.