Highest-Rated Sessions

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

Shared reading is fundamental for anyone implementing literacy programs with emergent readers and writers – and good shared reading has strong ties with language development, and use of AAC. This workshop will discuss how we can support AAC users at different language and emergent literacy levels– supporting them to develop their language, communication skills and print concepts.

AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

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.

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

Session by Rachel Madel about using telepractice for AAC

AAC in the Cloud 2017 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

In this session, Dr. Chung will speak about the background, timeline, examples, and, her own firsthand perspective of Ableism, which is one of the main barriers to unlocking possibilities for our community. In addition, she will present some action items to prevent Ableism in our society. The roots of Ableism can be traced back to the 1800s when the Eugenics movement was prevalent. Ableism as a concept undermines and underestimates the ability of individuals with disabilities to live their own lives. This belief perpetuates a harmful rhetoric that causes even more obstacles and difficulties. However, it should also be noted that some actions of Ableism are not all intended as some individuals might be unaware that their thoughts and actions may come across as Ableist due to lack of exposure and education. The purpose of this presentation is to prevent and reduce those occurrences while simultaneously unlocking possibilities once we’ve discussed the nature of Ableism.

AAC in the Cloud 2023 Conference

Laying a solid foundation for an AAC system that will be accessible to for an individual with CVI across time, settings, and partners requires many components including a family-centered approach, consideration of the individual’s specific CVI characteristics, responsibilities of the communication partner(s), and consideration of aided AAC design features.

AAC in the Cloud 2017 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2019 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

Why should you have backup AAC methods and how do you make them? This session is about planning for situations when you can’t access your primary communication method.

AAC in the Cloud 2023 Conference

In this session, two experienced AAC professionals will discuss their use of screen recording software in various settings, providing case examples and a comparison of popular tools. Storage and sharing strategies, as well as how to incorporate the recordings into practice for AAC teaming and parent education will be discussed. Attendees will receive practical resources to implement in their own practices.

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

This session will be presented by Lydia Dawley, an AAC user and AAC Consultant. The session will explore the importance of collaboration with clients to choose what to do in therapy. This will will teach them the independence and autonomy skills that they can be independent with daily activities.

AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

This session will help AAC users take the next steps with a goal driven curriculum for teaching body safety and personal safety. Using language from psychologists and lawyers who educate in grooming and sexual abuse prevention this session will have an AAC relevant twist.

AAC in the Cloud 2018 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

Autonomy, self-determination, and dignity of risk (the right to take risks and make mistakes) are often denied to AAC users, but are fundamental human rights. This session will explore the importance of these rights, their relationship to trauma, how AAC users can exercise them, and the role of professionals/supporters.

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2024 Conference

Artificial intelligence used well has the capability to offer a more authentic and efficient AAC system for everyone. Emotions are such an integral part of communication. Most AAC users lack the opportunity to authentically express themselves. Expressive voices can help support social interactions and social relationships as well and hence, should be an uncompromising requirement in any AAC system. In this session, we will show some of our latest updates of Avaz AAC along with the AI based experimental features that we are working on. With Avaz AAC powered by AI, users can communicate more efficiently, spontaneously, and independently than ever before.

AAC in the Cloud 2017 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

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.

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

We've been busy at CoughDrop! Over the last 18 months we've been working hard, collaborating with partners and practitioners on features to help communicators and their teams, whether in-person or remote. Come see some of the great new features of CoughDrop and how they can help communicators continue to develop and grow as the world keeps changing.

AAC in the Cloud 2017 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2024 Conference

What if instead of AAC Assessment, we could do AAC Screening? The population of AAC users far exceeds the number of professionals with AAC experience, and the gap is growing. We propose a possible solution to increasing AAC access, used in conjunction with the Specific Language System First Approach.

AAC in the Cloud 2024 Conference

“Storytime with AAC” is a library (community) based program designed for emergent AAC users and aims to support families/caregivers of AAC users in demonstrating language on their child’s AAC device, along with developing a love for reading and building language through shared interaction and connection.

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

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.

AAC in the Cloud 2018 Conference

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.

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

This session helps families and educators understand expressive core vocabulary: what it is, where to get it, and how to use it to communicate with existing AAC systems and on manual core boards. We will share resources for pre-made core vocabulary and activities as well as tools for creating custom core resources.

AAC in the Cloud 2023 Conference

In this session, you will learn how the wildly popular, powerful, and versatile Canva app can be used to support AAC Learners (either in-person or virtually). In addition to a paid Pro version, Canva offers both a free version (that anyone can use) AND the robust Canva for Education subscription that is FREE for all K-12 educators! Tune in to learn how this fun and all-around mighty tool can be used in creative ways to engage all types of learners. Demonstrations will include exciting new Canva features that even include artificial intelligence (AI). Not super tech-savvy? No worries, Canva has one of the most user-friendly interfaces around, so you can do this!

AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

This session addresses what we know (and don’t know) about everyday clinical practice for our AAC users that are Gestalt Language Processors. We will share both family and professional experiences. While also addressing the research, identifying speaking/non-speaking GLPs, AAC app feature matching, the theory of programming, & implementation.

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

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.

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

In this session we will be exploring how AAC apps organize words, phrases and letters so that communicators can quickly and easily communicate. We will explore the messaging features of some of the more popular AAC apps, how we teach within these apps and the cognitive considerations for people new to AAC.

AAC in the Cloud 2024 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

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.

AAC in the Cloud 2019 Conference

People who cannot rely on speech are at-risk of neglect, abuse, and medical errors. This session will examine the causes of this vulnerablity. We will then explore the most effective safeguards to ensure AAC users have the tools, support, and strategies they need to be safe and heard.

AAC in the Cloud 2023 Conference

For students AAC communicators, the development of literacy skills are essential to unrestricted access to ALL the words. Too often, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening are taught in isolation. In this session, participants learn ways to connect and integrate reading, writing and language into instructional routines across the student day.

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

This presentation will share resources for teaming up to support the AAC Users in your world. Specific strategies for collaborating with team members during consideration, implementation, and data collection will be provided. The different models for working as a team as well as examples of technology that can support this will be discussed.

AAC in the Cloud 2023 Conference

Developing communication competence in a focused and fun manner.

AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

Families often inquire how they can support literacy within the home environment. Emergent literacy learners who use AAC benefit from repetition with variety to provide a wealth of literacy experiences. Family members and caretakers who have a deep understanding of a learner can provide these experiences within the home setting.

AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

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.

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

Successful AAC users have a village of AAC supporters. This session will share unique, yet practical ways to empower communication partners in becoming proficient and confident in modeling and interacting using AAC.

AAC in the Cloud 2018 Conference

This session will share strategies and videos of families using AAC in ordinary, playful activities. It will emphasize how core words and irreverent kid-friendly vocabulary can make AAC just another way that we talk while we play.

AAC in the Cloud 2023 Conference

Communication can't just be a “speech thing.” It may feel easier to provide answers or advice to those supporting complex communicators, coaching often yields better understanding and willingness to shift practices. Join us to learn strategies related to AAC capacity-building efforts that can also be utilized for other collaborative initiatives.

AAC in the Cloud 2017 Conference

AAC in the Cloud 2019 Conference

A MASTER PAL, or “skilled partner” of an individual who uses AAC engages in authentic and meaningful interactions. However, developing such skills with communication partners is an on-going, nuanced and gradual process. This session lays out a framework for meaningful team dialogue to identify, describe, and discuss interaction behaviors of exemplar communication partners, in digestible chunks. Model as a MASTER PAL has been implemented in a school-based setting, but the content and structure are relevant across environments where AAC communication partners require support to understand and engage in authentic communicative interactions. Participants will be provided access to and an overview of Model as a MASTER PAL modules on the following topics: Model AAC, Motivate, Accept Multiple Modalities, Statements more than Questions, Time, Engage Naturally, Response Not Required, Presume Competence, Appropriate Prompting, and Let the Child Lead.

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

This session will review emergent communication behaviors and abilities when trialing dynamic voice output systems. It will expand upon the idea of what "stimming" looks like, how professionals and communication partners can redefine this term, and how to respond and support individuals with complex communication needs when they display "stimming" behaviors.

AAC in the Cloud 2022 Conference

Learn how one school district has streamlined AAC services with an AAC framework, tiered AAC supports and focused classroom interventions. Participants will learn about similarities between AAC supports and Multi Tiered Systems of Support, understand the Specific Language System First approach, and review a case study of how one district implemented AAC modeling and focusing on core words as their primary AAC classroom interventions.

AAC in the Cloud 2019 Conference

Shared storybook reading is a great way to build language skills and emergent literacy skills. But a lot of new-ish AAC users think books are B-O-R-I-N-G. This presentation will offer practical tips to make shared storybook reading fun!

AAC in the Cloud 2021 Conference

Help the presenters create a character who will go on an interactive story-driven adventure. Participants will make choices, guiding actions and outcomes, all while using open-ended questioning, descriptive teaching, and aided language stimulation. Leave having experienced a model for creating an engaging experience to teach and learn language using AAC.

AAC in the Cloud 2019 Conference

Explore a classroom-based communication model and supporting tools which assist IEP team members in assessing current AAC skills and progress toward communicative competence in both social and academic environments. Discover the Dynamic AAC Goals Grid-2 and the Classroom Communication Goals Grid with application of these tools in the development of IEPs.

AAC in the Cloud 2024 Conference

In this session, participants will review and get access to free, easy to use, CVI-friendly materials they can use to provide the Explicit Alphabet Knowledge Routine that is detailed in Erickson & Koppenhaver's 2020 "Comprehensive Literacy for All" through https://sites.google.com/view/emergingreaders/home

AAC in the Cloud 2020 Conference

Students exiting contemporary schools need to have fundamental knowledge of computer science and coding, including those learning language using AAC. Learn to use free and low-cost tools, many likely already available in your school, to teach language concepts through easy to use block coding and robots!