TechKnowledgy Webinar: Necessary Components of Successful AAC Consideration (Part 1 )

This is a completed event.

Description:

If a student is not successfully using verbal speech as her or his primary form of expression by the age of 3, the educators working with that student should be considering augmentative/ alternative communication. All too often, the belief that a child is too young, too disabled, or simply not ready, prevents or delays the implementation of a robust AAC system to help learn language. In the first of a two-part session, we will examine practices for coaching educational professionals and families in the selection and use of robust communication systems for early language learners which embed the concept of presuming an individual’s competence by adopting the philosophy of the Least Dangerous Assumption. Participants will explore the importance of core vocabulary for all early language learners, as well as how to integrate fringe vocabulary that enhances and enriches successful communication. This session will embed current research in the use of AAC. The importance of aided language stimulation, motor planning, and engineering the environment for communication will be highlighted throughout the session. Leave equipped with effective methodologies, strategies, and perspectives necessary to consider AAC systems that work to usher students down a path and into a world where they become functional communicators.

Christopher R. Bugaj, MA, CCC˜SLP, is a founding member of the Assistive Technology Team for Loudoun County Public Schools. Chris hosts The A.T.TIPSCAST, http://attipscast.com, a multi˜award-winning podcast featuring strategies to design educational experiences. Chris is the co-author of The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools published by the International Society on Technology in Education (ISTE) and has designed and instructed online courses for ISTE on the topics of Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning. Chris is also the author of ATEval2Go, http://bit.ly/ateval2go, an iPad app that helps professionals in education perform technology assessments for students. Chris co-authored two chapters for a book published by Brookes Publishing titled Technology Tools for Students with Autism. Chris co-produces and co-authors the popular Night Light Stories podcast, http://nightlightstories.net, which features original stories for children of all ages. Chris has presented over 250 live or digital sessions at local, regional, state, national and international events, including TEDx, all of which are listed at http://bit.ly/bugajpresentations. His latest book,The New Assistive Tech: Making Learning Awesome For All, http://bit.ly/thenewat4all, also published by ISTE, will be available in the Spring of 2018.

Skill Level: "Begintermediate"

Date(s):


5/9/2018 3:30 PM ET - 5/9/2018 4:30 PM ET

Tag(s):

Assistive Technology Autism Spectrum Disorder Communication - AT Communication/Language Early Childhood Elementary High School Intellectual Disability Middle School Mild/Moderate Disabilities Multiple Disabilities Orthopedic Impairment Parent/Family Preschool Speech/Language Impairment Traumatic Brain Injury