Course Description

This course is offered for .25 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level, Professional Area). ASHA CEUs are only awarded to those persons who are valid members of the ASHA Registry. Before a typically developing child utters their first word, they have been exposed to approximately 2,400 hours of language from those around them. However, a child who uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) typically has limited examples of how to communicate using their specific methods (e.g., voice output device, communication book, etc). There are a variety of identified environmental and partner created barriers that can impact AAC use throughout the educational setting. Therefore, daily communication partners of students who use AAC have a critical role in successful device implementation. In this session, we discuss why communication partners are vital for successful device use and we will identify partner strategies and implementation tools that address identified barriers to AAC use in the classroom environment.

Outcomes:

• Explain why communication partners are vital for successful device use
• State 3 possible barriers that would interfere with a communication partner’s ability to successfully implement a device
• Identify 5 strategies to improve a student’s use of their device
• Identify and complete an implementation plan format that may work for a target student.

Who Should Attend: This session is geared towards Assistive Technology Professionals, Speech-Language Pathologists, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Occupational/Physical Therapists, Parents or anyone else looking to increase their knowledge of how to incorporate communication supports throughout the school day and become stronger communication partners for students with complex communication needs.

Satisfactory completion requirements:

• Attendance is based on your signature in and out of the session via QR code. Failure to provide a signature in and out will result in no credit.
• 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 $300.00. 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). Anne works as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Coach for TruNorth’s Integrated-Assistive Technology Services Department. She has experience working with children and adults with Developmental Disabilities, Autism, and complex communication needs. Anne collaborates with and supports teams in the assessment and utilization of AAC equipment.
Erika Soltykiewicz is a licensed speech-language pathologist and a member of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Erika works as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Coach for True North’s Integrated-Assistive Technology Services Department. She has experience working with students with complex communication needs ranging from preschool to transition age in both True North’s programs and member districts. Erika also supports and collaborates with teams in assessments, implementation, and problem solving.
Financial Disclosure: Anne Leahy & Erika Soltykiewicz are employees of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 and receive a salary.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Anne Leahy & Erika Soltykiewicz have 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.