Using AAC to Support Individuals with Autism
While there is growing awareness and acceptance for incorporating augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies for people with autism, we want to ensure that we are implementing AAC in the most appropriate way. This raises questions like:
- How can augmentative and alternative communication support emotional regulation and positive behavior for individuals with autism?
- Is there a way to combine communication, behavior, and academic supports into one practical AAC package?
- How can I integrate AAC strategies and supports into real world environments like the classroom, home, and community?
Join us as we explore these questions using a case study of an individual with autism. We will show how AAC is used to address his communication, emotional regulation and behavioral challenges. We will demonstrate how the tools featured on a high tech AAC device, paired with proven teaching strategies, can support implementation of a multifaceted AAC plan. Planning tools that support the integration of communication, visual supports, and emotional regulation in various activities for augmented communicators at all ability levels will be introduced. Participants will apply these tools and the strategies and principles demonstrated in the case study to the individuals with autism who they support. Join us for this intermediate level, interactive workshop!
Learning Objectives:
1. Summarize 2-3 research studies related to the use of high-tech AAC with individuals with autism.
2. Match AAC features to each target area:
- Communication for multiple purposes
- Visual strategies for emotional regulation
- Behavior supports
3. Describe why we might address communication, behavioral supports, and emotional regulation with one AAC solution.
4. Create lesson/treatment plans that incorporate AAC to address communication, emotional regulation, and behavioral supports for one individual with autism.
ASHA CEUs: This course is offered for .3 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level, Professional Area)
Directions: Entrance via Corbin Avenue
Disclosure: Our instructor, Sandy Klindworth, MS, CCC-SLP is a full-time employee of DynaVox. She has no relevant non-financial relationship to report. She has practical experience working with a variety of augmentative and alternative communication devices and users. She also has a passion for teaching others how to support AAC users!
Additional Opportunity: A companion hands-on training related to many of the ideas from this session will be conducted in the afternoonon. Please register for this training at http://www.dynavoxtech.com/training/on-location/device-training/. Note: You will need to bring a device or laptop with DynaVox Series 5 software if you choose to attend the afternoon hands-on training.