AAC: Lite-Tech to High-Tech, Communication Systems for All

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Presenter:  Jennifer Johnson, M.S., CCC-SLP

Date: Thusdsay, February 16, 2023

Sign-In: 5:30pm

Workshop: 5:45pm - 9:00pm

Member: $60.00

Student Member: $25.00

Non-Member Professional: $85.00

**Meets CTLE Requirements if documented with the ASHA CE Registry**

Disclosures:

Financial – Jennifer Johnson, M.S., CCC-SLP, will be receiving an honorarium from LISHA for her presentation. Jennifer is currently employed at Nassau BOCES Rosemary Kennedy School on the AAC Evaluation Team.

Non-Financial – Jennifer Johnson, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a founding Board member of Validating Your Voice, a non-profit organization.

Location

Campo Salisbury Center, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, NY 11950

Workshop Coordinator

Robin Ehrlich, M.S., CCC-SLP
Director of Speech-Language Pathology

Overview

Attendees will be introduced to the various levels of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems and be given examples and explanations of systems within each level. They will be guided on how to determine if AAC is appropriate, how a particular system is chosen for a person, and how to choose vocabulary. Methods of implementing AAC will be discussed, and examples given.

Presenter

Jennifer Johnson has worked as a SLP since December 2000. For 22 years, Jennifer provided evaluations and therapies to students aged 10-21, with a variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex communication needs. This includes many AAC users at the Nassau BOCES Rosemary Kennedy School located in Wantagh, New York. Jennifer recently transitioned fulltime to the Nassau BOCES AAC Evaluation and Training Team. She provides AAC evaluations to students in all school districts across Nassau County who are in need of an augmentative or alternative method for communication, and training in the implementation of AAC systems to school district staff members and parents. Jennifer also works as an independent contractor at North Shore Speech-Language Associates under the directorship of Paula Okin since January 2021 providing therapy in private home settings. Jennifer is currently pursuing her School Building and School District Leadership certifications through The College of Saint Rose CITE Program. She is also a founding board member of a newly established non-profit organization, Validating Your Voice, which aims to assist in obtaining AAC systems for individuals who require an alternative system for communication but are unable to access one through other means, as well as education and resources for communication and mental health needs.

**LISHA speaker selection does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or procedures. We reserve the right to substitute speakers due to circumstances beyond our control. **

Learning Objectives

Participants will: 

1.    Define the meaning of AAC:  Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
2.    Explain how AAC assists children in learning language.
3.    Describe the method of choosing AAC systems for children.

Agenda

5:30 – 5:45        Registration & Light Refreshments
5:45 – 6:00        Introduction: What Exactly is AAC?
6:00 – 6:45        Types of AAC – No Tech, Lite Tech, Mid Tech and High Tech
6:45 – 7:00        How do Typically Developing Children Learn Language?
7:00 – 7:30        Using AAC to Assist Children in Learning Language
7:30 – 7:45        Break
7:45 – 8:00        Choosing a System: Who is Right for AAC?
8:00 – 8:15        How do we Choose the Vocabulary for our Children?
8:15 – 8:45        Where do we go from here?
8:45 – 9:00        Questions and Answers

Confirmation

Confirmations of registration can be obtained at www.lisha.org or Email at info@lisha.org

Cancellations

Cancellations are refundable if received seventy-two (72) business hours prior to the event. 

Handouts and Certificate of Completion

PowerPoint/Handout Presentations will be emailed to confirmed attendees 72 hours prior to the workshop. There will be no internet access at the venue to download handouts. You will need to either print a copy or download the file to a computer, tablet, or phone before the workshop. Paper handouts will NOT be available at the workshop. Registrants will receive a certificate of completion when the course has been successfully completed.