Date/Location:

December 14-16, 2021, Virtual

Description:

This focus of this 3-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 how to support children with complex bodies who use AAC.  While no one formal definition of complex bodies exists, many children with significant physical and sensory impairments are often labeled as such.  We learn much about our world through motor and sensory exploration.  For many of our children with complex bodies, they don’t have the same experience.  It can be challenging to support language development for children unable to independently experience many language concepts.  Fortunately, innovate and creative SLPs, OTs, teachers, and parents are constantly learning about and implementing new strategies that help our children grow their communication skills.  The speaker will offer evidence-based information on  assessment and intervention techniques with a focus on vision impairments including Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI), motor impairments in the moderate to severe/profound range, and hearing impairments including Deafness amongst children with intellectual disabilities.  Learn to use assessment tools to develop AAC related IEP goals and to modify treatment and AAC systems as needed.  Tips, tricks, and specific lesson ideas will be shared related to literacy and language intervention. 

Speakers:

Deborah Laurent Witkowski, MA, CCC-SLP

Tracy M. Kovach, PhD, CCC-SLP

Russell Cross

Amanda Soper, MS, CCC-SLP

Learning Outcomes:

Explain why core vocabulary, not extended vocabulary, should be emphasized in AAC intervention.

Describe the relationship between the use of core vocabulary and normal language development.

Describe the difference between a needs-based communication display and a language-based communication display.

Discuss the impact of motor automaticity in the successful use of AAC devices.

Identify at least 3 AAC assessment tools that can be used with children with complex bodies for initial and on-going assessment.

Describe at least 2 strategies for modifying intervention ideas and materials to meet the needs of children with complex bodies.

Discuss at least 3 intervention strategies for teaching vocabulary on an AAC device to children with complex bodies.

Identify two key differences between referential and descriptive teaching strategies.

Discuss strategies that enable students who use AAC to demonstrate learning to demonstrate learning within the components of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

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CEUs This activity is offered for up to 2.0 CEUs (20.0 hours of instruction). To register for CEUs:  

Download and complete the following forms.

Save the files names: 211216_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.