How Do We Get Our Kids Talking? AAC for Students with Complex Motor and Communication Needs

This is a completed event.

Description:

Our students now have access to everything from a simple Big Mack to an iPad loaded with communication apps. We even have students using more sophisticated, dedicated speech generating devices. Unfortunately, while our students now have more access to technology than ever before, we rarely see it used as designed. So where’s the breakdown? How do we go from acquisition to everyday use? And if our students are demonstrating the ability to respond, how do we turn them into initiators of communication?

During this workshop, we will begin with an examination of our own views and expectations regarding communication for students with moderate to severe disabilities, understand barriers to communication that students experience, and identify motivating activities and compelling reasons for our kids to communicate. We will also discuss and explore a toolkit of options for increasing receptive and expressive communication skills. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will leave with a dynamic action plan for increasing communication in their classroom.

Intended Audience: Parents and professionals who support a student or students with complex needs.

Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm (lunch provided)

Date(s):


9/15/2016 8:30 AM ET - 9/15/2016 3:00 PM ET

Location(s):

Virginia Tech T/TAC AT Lab
Blacksburg, VA

Contact(s):

Lora Beeken
800-848-2714
lbeeken@vt.edu

Tag(s):

Assistive Technology Communication - AT Communication/Language Severe Disabilities