Now You’re Talking: Learning the Language of Unity

Date/Location:

January 10-12, 2017, Pittsburgh

Description:

The focus of this 2.5 day seminar will be to provide learners with a theoretical and practical foundation for the use of core vocabulary as it pertains to language and vocabulary development for augmented communicators as well as how to integrate the use of core vocabulary as a primary strategy for targeting communication and language in home and academic settings.  Our guest speakers will teach participants to use and teach the Unity® software through direct instruction, hands-on practice and small group activities.   Therapeutic activities and implementation strategies will be discussed along with numerous resources that can be accessed within the device, the PASS software and on the Internet to support therapeutic outcomes. 

Speakers:

Bruce Baker, PhD

Deborah Laurent Witkowski, MA, CCC-SLP

Tracy M. Kovach, PhD, CCC-SLP

Darlette Navrotski, M.A., CCC-SLP

 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Explain why core vocabulary, not extended vocabulary, should be emphasized in AAC intervention.
  2. Describe the relationship between the use of core vocabulary and normal language development.
  3. Describe the difference between a needs-based communication display and a language-based communication display.
  4. Identify the challenges with using a page-based system in an AAC device.
  5. Discuss the impact of motor automaticity in the successful use of AAC devices.
  6. Discuss the concept of an icon family within the Unity® software.
  7. List the five patterns of vocabulary access in Unity®.
  8. Identify three tools that can be used to support intervention with Unity®.
  9. Identify two key differences between referential and descriptive teaching strategies.
  10. Generate linguistically oriented IEP goals and objectives for students who use AAC.
  11. Discuss strategies that enable students who use AAC to demonstrate learning to demonstrate learning within the components of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

CEUs

This activity is offered for up to 1.8 CEUs (17.5 hours of instruction). To register for CEUs:
  1. Download, and complete the following forms.
  2. Save the files names: 170112_SCS_Lastname-Firstname
  3. Send both files to ceus@aacinstitute.org
  4. CEU certificate will be sent after submitting the two forms

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