Children with autism who are minimally verbal or have difficulty using speech to effectively and efficiently communicate are often good candidates for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). But it’s not just about finding and obtaining an AAC system for the child and working on communication in the speech therapy room. The key to establishing the AAC system as a reliable method of communication, increasing the child’s participation across environments, and improving overall communication lies in a collaborative team approach to intervention. You are invited to learn from a speech-language-pathologist (SLP) and classroom teacher about finding the right AAC system, writing attainable goals, embedding communication opportunities throughout a child’s school day, and implementing strategies for developing communication skills.

Agenda

8:30-8:45              What is AAC and why are children with autism good candidates?

8:45-9:00              AAC Solutions – from no tech to high tech

9:00-9:15              Categories of AAC communicators/stages of symbolic language development in children with autism

9:15-10:45            The emerging communicator – establishing pre-linguistic skills, play skills and symbolic language

10:45-11:30         Creating communication opportunities – during play and in the classroom

11:30-1:00            Lunch on our own and AAC device browsing session

1:00-2:15              The functional communicator – expanding communication skills beyond requesting, teaching functional communication, vocabulary development

2:15-3:15              Creating communication opportunities – during play, social, literacy, and academic activities

3:15-3:30              Q&A

To register, please go to: https://commerce.cashnet.com/eiucds1

This is not an ROE #11 workshop, please direct all questions to: Felicia Magee at fymagee@eiu.edu or 217.581.2712

Professionals: $60.00

Families: $30.00

Students: FREE