Highlights For the Week of May 12, 2025
Using Eye-Tracking to Access Predictable
Gabrielle Flahault
2021
Predictable is a text-to-speech app designed for people who are literate but don't have the ability to speak. In 2020, we introduced three innovative access methods relying on Apple technology. This year, we worked with Irisbond and integrated the first iOS eye-tracking solution!
Highlights For the Week of May 5, 2025
Communication in the Community
Sarah Weber
2019
Community based instruction is an essential piece of today’s life skills curriculums. Unfortunately, supporting students who use AAC in the community setting can be a difficult and daunting process. This presentation aims to provide resources and support to help professionals provide the best possible services to the individuals they serve.
Highlights For the Week of Apr 28, 2025
Putting the other "A" in AAC: The Augmentative Part
Anne Page
2019
In the world of AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication), we tend to really focus on the alternative piece. As an SLP working in the public schools, I work with a lot of students who are partially verbal. That is they are speaking words but it might just be one or two word sentences or telegraphic speech. Oftentimes these students really benefit from the structure of a low tech communication board to give their sentences correct grammatical structure and by having a multi-sensory method of expressing themselves. This presentation will give you some tips and ideas for ways you can help your students "augment" their communication.
Highlights For the Week of Apr 21, 2025
All Hands On Deck for Touch Access
Kristen Powell & Mary Katherine Dally
2021
Calling all hands-on deck for touch access! There is so much to consider and explore for clients who use touch access. This session is led by two assistive technology consultants and speech-language pathologists ( SLPs) to review ways to encourage touch access, low-tech to high-tech device modifications and DIY ideas to trial touch access methods with your students. One small change can make a big difference when using touch access. Get ready for this hands-on course and leave with a touch access resource guide for editing tips, checklists and trial ideas.
Highlights For the Week of Apr 14, 2025
Feature Matching in the AAC Assessment
Katie Threlkeld
2023
Feature-matching in AAC assessment is a crucial component of the assessment process but can be intimidating! Feature-matching is completed by looking at an individual’s skills and needs to determine the most appropriate AAC system features (ASHA, n.d.). Learn more in this recorded webinar!
AAC in the Classroom...for the teacher
Alyssa Hillary
2018
“AAC in the classroom” usually means AAC for students. Sometimes, however, it's the teacher who needs AAC! I'll be talking about AAC in the workplace, specifically the classroom as a workplace, based on both my experience and that of other teachers I know of. Practical tips incoming!
Highlights For the Week of Apr 7, 2025
Highlights For the Week of Mar 31, 2025
Highlights For the Week of Mar 24, 2025
My AAC is Part of My Gender Presentation
Tuttleturtle (Stephanie)
2020
When setting up AAC, considering disability is normal. But, identity is complex, more than just our disabilities, and our assistive tech is a part of us. It needs to support the whole person. We’ll discuss using AAC as a trans, disabled person and some considerations as they customize their device.
Highlights For the Week of Mar 17, 2025
Strategies to Increase AAC Modeling in the Classroom
Deidre Dobbels & Kelly Key
2018
A nationwide survey of general and special education teachers (pre-k – high school) identified perceived barriers in being able to provide partner aided language in the classroom setting. The results of this survey will be shared with participants along with practical solutions to overcome these obstacles, and provide educators with the tools and confidence they need to speak AAC.
Highlights For the Week of Mar 10, 2025
Highlights For the Week of Mar 3, 2025
AAC and Transition Planning -- Supporting all students to make decisions for the future
Erin Sheldon
2020
Transition planning is an essential part of preparing our students for the adult life they want and need. Many of our students are still learning to use AAC at the time that we need to start planning for their transition out of school. Fortunately, even the most emergent student can be involved in their own planning. This session describes tools and strategies to maximize the role of the student learning to use AAC. Learn to use AAC supports in new, flexible ways to support autonomy, decision-making, and participation.
Highlights For the Week of Feb 24, 2025
Highlights For the Week of Feb 17, 2025
Collaboration between Clinic & School in AAC
Melissa Hoffmann
2018
Many schools refer their students to a clinic to procure a personal SGD through the consumer's. The referring SLPs have a wide variety of comfort levels with AAC and need varying levels of support. This is an overview of how the clinic can work with the schools to support the school, the family and the AAC user to maximize the consumer's communicative potential.
Highlights For the Week of Feb 10, 2025
Mindset Matters -- Setting the Stage for AAC Success
Rachael Langley & Marlene Cummings
2020
Both parents and professionals spend a lot of time and energy on word lists, funding devices, laminating, and coming up with the activities to practice using AAC. What if some changes early on could make that work even more impactful? Join us as we reflect on one of the principles that are foundational to our work: our mindset & the mindset of those we work with. We will discuss the challenges that come along with self-reflection as educators shift towards being influencers rather than experts. Throughout this presentation, we will share resources to help teams consider their role in AAC learning.
Highlights For the Week of Feb 3, 2025
What to consider when considering AAC apps
Mike Cole
2018
Although on the surface, apps appear to be the easy choice due to cost, availability, and ubiquity of tablets/phones, care should be taken when evaluating for an individual. This session discusses app advantages/disadvantages and how to consider apps for an individual with complex communication needs.