AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

Many times AAC use is talked about associated with one specific disability, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or ASL. These are all reasons someone might need AAC, but many of us are multiply disabled and communication needs aren't that simple. We might use AAC for multiple reasons. Even when multiple disabilities aren’t independent reasons we need AAC, our multiple disabilities impact the details of what we need for our AAC.

Learn what makes a "good" tangible symbol including considerations when making them that I have found to be successful. Demonstrating how this form of AAC can be powerful tool to provide access to AAC, not just in school, but also at home and how they can be used to facilitate and open doors for community interactions.

Acquired communication disorders caused by electrical trauma present unique communication barriers due to their evolving symptom manifestation. Initially anomic aphasia, cognitive communication disorder and mild dysarthria may be present. As the person ages away from the initial injury, communication barriers can become more pronounced with age.

The audience will be given an introduction to the prototype, EmotionTalker – a prosodic featured SGD. The user has the possibility to let sound her/ his utterance in an emotional manner. The author is interested in whether a prosodic SGD would foster conversations between augmented communicators and their communication partners in length and brio or not.

Words matter. We asked people what words they prefer when talking about AAC and the people who use it. Over 400 people with a variety of connections to AAC responded. In this presentation, we talk about community opinions (and awareness) of the words we use.

Augmented communicators discuss the importance of recruiting and paying AAC users as public speakers. Each will offer examples of different public speaking engagements, what they need to be successful, how they prepare, unexpected challenges encountered, what they would do differently, and how they get connected with opportunities.

Special Education Departments continue to be asked to do more with less. Nationwide, districts are faced with less resources, teachers, staff, and time, but are simultaneously tasked with an increase of heterogeneous groups of students, including those with Assistive Technology needs (including AAC needs), and documentation. Communication is a right. How can districts ensure that every students’ AAC needs are being addressed and not being lost in the shuffle? This session will examine how districts and organizations can leverage CoughDrop’s cloud technology to provide personalized AAC services to greater amounts of students. This session will: Overview the CoughDrop Collab Organization and Management Tool and Resources Explore CoughDrop’s remote management options of district licenses and student and staff users from a central dashboard Investigate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies to integrate CoughDrop’s Individual, Classroom, and Site Licensing options into district initiatives Examine CoughDrop’s integrated features for IEP AAC Goal automated tracking and data reports Discuss CoughDrop privacy controls for AAC teams

The interdisciplinary Assistive Technology team from Blythedale Children’s Hospital will provide information on their holistic AT assessment approach for children with complex medical needs. The importance of both an interdisciplinary approach to evaluations and collaboration will be highlighted for technology integration across settings, and case studies will be presented.

Ever get stuck on how to motivate a child you are working with? Aren’t sure how to incorporate a child’s or family’s interests into your therapy sessions? Then this presentation is for you! During this hour-long presentation, we will discuss ways to incorporate a person and family’s interests and motivation into their AAC language system, as well as within therapy activities, using real-world examples.

Integrate core vocabulary stimulation into daily life in a classroom of French-speaking adolescents, aged 12-21, with moderate intellectual and severe motor disabilities, through educational activities and daily routines, as well as inspiring ideas to involve families.

The complex task of writing for our students with significant disabilities and complex communication needs can be daunting for teachers and students alike. Idea generating starts with vocabulary and building background knowledge and Predictable Chart Writing assists in creating authors. Canva makes it all interactive.

Creating low tech medical boards Low tech AAC boards were created as supports for medical appointments to improve patient participation and autonomy in medical care for the neurology and dental departments at an article 28 clinic. The importannce of implementing an Aided Language Stimulation approach to medical care will be shared.

Create your own switch toy and language adventure! This session discusses the benefits of utilizing switch access through adapted toys and pairing pretend play and peer interaction to support learning language. Learn the basic items you need to adapt toys and opportunities to provide communication and active participation through play.

As SLPs working with bilingual AAC learners, we know first-hand how difficult it could be to find resources for this community. Therefore, we created our own! We will be going over bilingue aac.com where we have created videos, handouts and a guide to help foster the Spanish language at home.

This presentation will show you, as an AAC professional, how you can support families on their AAC journey. Get practical strategies for how you can teach AAC, step into learning and problem solve the barriers to success. Every AAC family needs a coach - someone who can cheer them, support them, and guide them on this communication adventure.