augmentative and alternative communication

Enjoy this free training from my new series, Communication Without Limits. In this presentation, I am providing an introduction to AAC.

AAC is a powerful tool that can help learners communicate and find their voice for the very first time. I share a personal story from my career where AAC did just that. What an amazing feeling!

I cover important information to support SLPs-BCBAs such as the Communication Bill of Rights, as well as who to turn to for support when it comes to finding devices, programs, and collaborating in your district or center. Utilizing an AAC requires a team; this is the learners voice and everyone has to be on the same page, including SLPs, BCBAs, OTs, Teachers, Parents, etc.

How do you know you need an AAC? I go over the steps of a comprehensive assessment involving Case History, Ecological Inventory, Self-Report, and Sensory-Motor Status. Once you’ve determined the need for AAC, you need to determine the system that will optimize communication for your learner. This is an important feature matching process where, as the provider, you determine access, language systems, and the materials or devices appropriate for the learner.

I hope you continue to tune in to future free training on important topics in ABA. To stay in the loop, receive more in depth training and tutorials, and connect with other professionals, consider joining the ABA Speech Connection Membership.

#autism #speectherapy

What’s Inside:

• What is AAC?
• An introduction and guide for SLP-BCBAs in AAC.
• What is involved in a comprehensive assessment for AAC?
• Who can help with an AAC?
• How to choose the right AAC.

Mentioned In This Episode:
AAC - Slides and Handouts
Membership - ABA Speech

In this episode, Elizabeth and Hillary resume their conversation on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). They discuss how to train communicative skills using both high and low-tech AAC technology.

DISCLAIMER: Nothing presented in the Changing Stories Podcast or Blog creates a client-professional relationship between you and Elizabeth Hewatt, BCBA or you and Hillary Bolton, BCaBA. These materials were developed for informational purposes only and should not be considered specific medical, behavioral, legal, or therapeutic advice. All client decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the judgment of the treating Behavior Analyst. 

In this episode, Elizabeth and Hillary define and discuss AAC. Elizabeth shares her family's journey with AAC and Hillary gives her perspective on learning about AAC as an outsider with no previous knowledge. They discuss different modes of communication, pros and cons of each, and give tips for addressing the cost of voice-output AAC systems. Next week, the series will continue with a description of functional communication training using AAC.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing presented in the Changing Stories Podcast or Blog creates a client-professional relationship between you and Elizabeth Hewatt, BCBA or you and Hillary Bolton, BCaBA. These materials were developed for informational purposes only and should not be considered specific medical, behavioral, legal, or therapeutic advice. All client decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the judgment of the treating Behavior Analyst. 

Are you a teacher who needs advice on getting started with AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)? My guest, Heather Cacioppo, and I have been in your shoes and will help answer your questions and give you the next steps to pursue. 

This episode gives a quick introduction to AAC for teachers  just getting a student with a communication device and don't know where to start. (We've been in your shoes!) Today I have a conversation with Heather Cacioppo of the Teachers Pay Teachers store, Full Sped Ahead. We discuss what AAC is, what things teachers can do to effectively support students who use augmentative or alternative communication, commonly referred to as the acronym "AAC." 

Listen in for some great advice and tips to help you out, including who to get information and training from, how to incorporate AAC into your usual lessons, getting your paras involved, advice on successful implementation, and much more. And check out all the resource links and full transcript at https://lisagoodell.com/podcast33

It can often be intimidating to get started and understand working with students with complex communication needs. Dr. David Rehfeld is a dual certified, SLP and BCBA and an assistant professor who joins me today to discuss the importance of support to students using AAC and their caregivers.

The individuals who spend the most time with a client need to have the most buy-in when it comes to effectively using AAC. Dr. Rehfeld encourages this support with Caregiver Coaching. Caregivers are any of the people your client spends more time with than you, parents, guardians, teachers, and one on one support staff. The goal of Caregiver Coaching is to minimize perceived effort to make the most impact. Providers working with caregivers often have ideas of “easy” ways to integrate the AAC device into routines but should consider unique needs and preferences that assimilate into their existing life.

Caregiver Coaching is provided using the Behavior Skills Training Model. BST is evidence based practice to provide instruction to facilitate success of skill mastery. Dr. Rehfeld explains it in four phases.
Phase One - Understand: What are we working on? Why is it important?
Phase Two - Model: Show and demonstrate the skill.
Phase Three - Observe: Encourage and provide opportunities to practice.
Phase Four - Feedback: What are you doing well? What can you improve on?

When you’re helping someone with AAC, you’re not just helping one student but you’re helping all of the future AAC users this person works with in the future. Keep in mind the importance of rapport, and positive reinforcement by providing praise when you see caregivers doing the right things!

Dr. Rehfeld is active in working with students aspiring to work in the speech pathology field. You can find him at the many conferences he attends or speaks at. Dr. Rehfeld encourages others in the field to attend conferences, seek out resources, and keep adding as many tools to their belt to help their clients as they can.

#speechtheraphy #autism

What’s Inside:

• Helping students with complex communication needs.
• Supporting students with AAC.
• How to support teachers and providers who are working with students using AAC.
• Why is caregiver coaching important?
• What is Behavior Skills Training (BST)?
• What are the four phases of BST?

Mentioned In This Episode: 

Start Communicating Today Live - ABA Speech
ABA Speech: Home

On our first episode of 2022, we sat down to talk about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Special guest, Megan Stewart MS, CCC-SLP, joined us to share her knowledge about AAC—discussing which individuals benefit most from AAC, rapport building for AAC evaluations, how to plan treatment with an AAC device, and more. 

This show is made possible by Med Travelers. If you’re interested in exploring a career in allied travel, visit: https://www.medtravelers.com/getting-started/become-an-allied-traveler/to learn more about the nationwide opportunities they have to offer!

We Discuss

• (0:00) Introduction Shenanigans
• (4:11) Megan's Professional Background
• (9:11) What Megan Did to Prepare for Specializing in AAC
• (14:00) Which Individuals Benefit Most From AAC
• (18:13) Introduction to AAC Evaluations
• (23:34) Rapport Building for AAC Evaluations
• (30:02) How to Decide on the Right AAC Device for a Student
• (36:12) Which Brand of AAC Devices to Consider as an SLP
• (38:10) How to Plan Treatment with an AAC Device
• (43:01) Goals for a Student Using an AAC Device
• (50:05) How to know when a student is ready to move on from an AAC Device

About Megan Stewart MS, CCC-SLP

Megan is a Speech/Language Pathologist with over 18 years of experience, most of which have been spent serving students with complex communication needs, within a variety of settings, including early intervention, home health, hippotherapy, and elementary school level. She received her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and now resides in Florida. 

With extensive knowledge regarding various forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) from low to high tech, Megan’s passion is to help guide students, parents, and professionals alike in their journey to find the AAC system(s) that will help them become the most independent and autonomous communicators possible. Megan currently works at a one-of-a-kind, public, center school serving students with Autism and related disabilities.  Megan is also extremely passionate about promoting comprehensive literacy instruction for all learners and sharing the love of reading with everyone she meets.

Find Us On 

Website - https://www.medtravelers.com/slpfulldisclosure/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/slpfulldisclosure/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/slpfulldisclosure/

Apple Podcasts – http://bit.ly/slpfulldisclosureapple

Spotify – http://bit.ly/slpfulldisclosurespotify

About the Show

Producer – Jonathan Cary 

Assistant Producers – Katie Schrauben & Sam MacKay 

Music & Editing – Jonathan Cary 

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 Christina Hunger is a speech pathologist and the creator of Hunger for Words, which is working at the fascinating intersection of animal psychology, speech pathology, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Christina is known for her groundbreaking work in being the first person to teach her dog Stella to talk using a customized communication device and speech therapy techniques. Christina has a B.A. in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University and a graduate degree in speech language pathology from Northern Illinois University, and has professional expertise in augmentative and alternative communication working with young children with significant delays in language development as an early intervention speech therapist. She is also an author of a new book - How Stella Learned to Talk: The Groundbreaking Story of the World's First Talking Dog