This 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 speaker will discuss practical ways to develop language, starting with a variety of low-tech strategies for building skills that support transition to a Minspeak device or app.  Many of her strategies are specifically geared to the support of people with significant cognitive disabilities.  The afternoon is dedicated to specific intervention strategies for individuals with Minspeak devices or apps:  (1) developing icon family associations, (2) targeting core vocabulary in classroom lessons, and (3) merging Minspeak intervention with traditional SLP activities.

Speakers:

Bruce Baker, PhD

Deborah Laurent Witkowksi, MA, CCC-SLP

Tracy M. Kovach, PhD, CCC-SLP

Russell Cross

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. Discuss the impact of motor automaticity in the successful use of AAC devices.
5. Discuss the importance of implementing effective training plans that reflect meaningful and measurable language learning outcomes in order to achieve communicative competence.
6. Describe how to use a performance profile that identifies current and desired performance can focus intervention planning and developing appropriate objectives.
7. Identify the major areas of learning that contribute to the development of communicative competence for those who use AAC.
8. Describe the components identified in a “continuum of care model.”
9. Identify ways in which performance profiles can be used to compare performance using different AAC systems, communication partners, and communication in different environments.
10. Identify two key differences between referential and descriptive teaching strategies.
11. Discuss strategies that enable students who use AAC to demonstrate learning to demonstrate learning within the components of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

CEUs

1. Download, and complete the following forms.
   • Attendance Form
   • Evaluation/Learning Form
2. Save the files names: 161110_SCS_Lastname-Firstname.xls
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.