This course is offered for .2 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level, Professional Area). ASHA CEUs are only awarded to those persons who are valid members of the ASHA Registry.
Within the first 12 to 18 months of a child’s life, he or she is bombarded with speech and language from their communication partners (e.g., parents, siblings, caregivers). It has been reported that by the time a typically developing child reaches 18 months of age, they have been exposed to 4,380 hours of oral language at t
This course is offered for .2 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level, Professional Area). ASHA CEUs are only awarded to those persons who are valid members of the ASHA Registry.
Within the first 12 to 18 months of a child’s life, he or she is bombarded with speech and language from their communication partners (e.g., parents, siblings, caregivers). It has been reported that by the time a typically developing child reaches 18 months of age, they have been exposed to 4,380 hours of oral language at the rate of 8 hours/day. Unfortunately, a child who uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) does not have the same experience and receives limited examples of how to communicate using their specific methods (e.g., voice output device, communication board/book, etc). In fact, if a child using a communication device only receives models of how to use their tool to communicate during twice weekly, 20-30 minute isolated speech therapy sessions, it would take the student 84 YEARS to experience the same level of input their typically developing peer receives within the first 18 months of their life (Jane Korsten, 2011 QIAT Listserv 4th April)! Therefore, communication partners of students with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) who use AAC have a critical role in successful device implementation. During this training, we will discuss common barriers communication partners face when working with students who use AAC. We will also identify strategies to overcome these barriers and discuss how to use and implement communication supports throughout the day to have a positive impact on student device use and language learning.
Outcomes:
- State reasons why communication partners are vital for successful device use.
- State possible barriers that would interfere with a communication partner’s ability to successfully implement a device
- Identify 7 strategies to improve a student’s use of their device
- Identify at least 3 strategies you can use with your student to improve their
device use
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for teachers, teaching assistants, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, parents, or anyone else who works with students who work with students with complex communication needs.
Satisfactory completion requirements:
- Attendance is based on your signature in and out of the session. Failure to provide a signature in and out will result in no credit. Virtual attendance is taken via the Zoom Chat.
- Participants are expected to attend the entire session to earn credit.
- Participants are required to complete a pre and post test. Credit is given for completion of pre and post test, regardless of score.
- Participants must complete an electronic course evaluation within two weeks of the session date to be sent a certificate.
- Accommodations, questions and complaints can be directed to: professionallearning@truenorth804.org
Cost Information: Participation fees are waived for TrueNorth employees, TrueNorth member district employees, and parents of students in our TrueNorth member districts. For individual participants who do not meet the above criteria, this course participation fee is $75. Participation or material fees will be billed directly to the school district that employs the participant after the session is complete or the first session in a series is complete. Individuals are asked to not bring payment to the session.
Cancellation and Refund Information: There is no cancellation fee, though we ask for advance notice to open the spot for another person. TrueNorth reserves the right to cancel any session due to low enrollment. TrueNorth does not charge prior to the start of the offered session. If an individual attends the first day of a learning series but is unable to attend the remaining sessions, the school district that employs the participant is able to designate an alternate person. It is up to the individual no longer attending the program to give their replacement the information learned in the first session.
About the Presenters Anne Leahy is a licensed speech-language pathologist and a member of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Currently, Anne works as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Coach for NSSED’s Integrated-Assistive Technology Services Department. She has previously worked in a therapeutic school setting for children and adults with Developmental Disabilities and Autism, including those with complex communication needs. Anne collaborates and supports teams in the assessment and utilization of AAC equipment.
Financial Disclosure: Anne Leahy is an employee of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 and receives a salary.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Anne Leahy has no relevant non-financial relationships.
Emily Mason is a licensed speech-language pathologist and a member of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In addition to speech-language pathology, Emily holds a masters degree in Special Education. Emily works as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Coach for TrueNorth’s Integrated-Assistive Technology Services Department. She has experience working with students with complex communication needs across a variety of age ranges. She is also a speech-language pathologist with TrueNorth’s Structured Academic Integrated Learning (SAIL) program. Emily supports teams in obtaining and implementing a wide variety of AAC supports and strategies.
Financial Disclosure: Emily Stith is an employee of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 and receives a salary.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Emily Stith has no relevant non-financial relationships.
*Member Districts include:
Northbrook 27, Northbrook 28, Sunset Ridge 29, Glenview/Northbrook 30, West Northfield 31, Glenview 34, Glencoe 35, Winnetka 36, Kenilworth 38, Lake Bluff 65, Lake Forest 67, Bannockburn 106, Deerfield 109, North Shore 112, Township HS 113, Lake Forest 115, New Trier 203, Glenbrook 225.
Have a question? Check out the Professional Learning FAQs or contact professionallearning@truenorth804.org.
