Purpose:
To provide equitable access to best-practice knowledge through professional development, forums of collaboration and a supported learning community to those who support Oregon learners with complex communication needs. The sessions are designed to increase the capacity of educators, therapists and families for effective Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems selection and strategies for integration into learner goals.
ECHO Voices sessions is held the first and third Wednesdays of each month, from 8 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Pacific. Advance registration is not required, unless you would like to receive contact hour credit. All sessions are recorded and archived on this newsletter, for future viewing.
Each session begins with a 30 minute topic presentation plus Q&A time, followed by a case study/didactic of an unidentified student. Contact us if you would like to present a case.
Join URL: Zoom Join URL:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83660363389?pwd=QnB4UE51ZHpFdS8xLzVRRU9tbGw3QT09
More about ECHO https://echo.unm.edu/about-echo/
Information about using Zoom Joining a Zoom webinar
AAC Implementation: Is now the time?
Mike Cole, M.S. CCC-SLP
President of Use Your Words, P.C.
Click for more about information
Session Description:
Trying to decide if utilizing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an appropriate solution for your student or child? These are just some of the questions posed by teams and families working with individuals with communication needs:
- Is it too soon to start?
- Is it too late to start?
- What if my child has some verbal speech?
- What if the child can’t identify pictures?
- What if the student doesn’t show interest in AAC?
- What if the child becomes dependent on AAC and doesn’t try to speak?
These and other questions will be addressed in this session.
Upon completion of the session, the listener will be able to:
- Identify 2 criteria for deciding whether AAC would be appropriate.
- Identify 3 myths surrounding AAC.
- Respond to the question, “What prerequisites are required for an individual to use AAC?
