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UPDATED Conference Schedule!

Conference Sessions

Title	description	Presenters	SESSION Handouts
A Continuum of Learning for Children who use AAC systems.	This session addresses assessment, evidence based practice and instructional support for children using AAC systems.	Tracy Kovach	Download Handout Word Format
The role of Assistive Technology (AT) in Literacy for Students with Severe Cognitive Delays	This session focuses on students with severe cognitive delays and highlights the use of AT/AAC to support functional, academic and educational activities	Pat Ourand	Download Handout powerPoint
AAC and people with acquired disabilities: ALS, aphasia and more: Part I and Part II	This session provides AAC clinicians with resources and strategies for the provision of AAC assessment and intervention with adults who have acquired neurogenic disorders.	Pamela Mathy
AAC Facilitation Technique with Adolescents and Adults who are Developmentally Delayed.	This session provides a framework for implementing AAC services to teens and adults with CCN and moderate to severe developmental disabilities. Techniques for data collection, facilitator evaluation, and consumer progress assessment will be provided.	Pam Elder
AAC in the UDL Classroom!	Multiple means of representation, engagement, and response are beneficial for all students, but may be essential for students with CCN. This session focuses on how UDL, AT, and AAC work together to support educational achievement.	Joy Zabala
AAC Parent Panel: Tips for getting what you need for your child	Parents and family members often play a key advocacy role in AAC and their children’s education. This session describes challenges and strategies families might choose to use over time.	Richard Ellenson
AAC TechConnect: Readily Available Clinical Tools for AAC Device Solutions	This session introduces and describes online tools to assist in sorting through AAC device choices. It showcases a website that has free information and clinical tools.	Debby McBride	Download Handout Word Format
ABC, Please Read with Me	This session demonstrates a wide range of low-tech and mid-tech tools and intervention strategies for supporting children who rely on AAC in daily literacy activities.	Sharon Edwards and Kristi Stapler	Download Handout pdf Format
Accessible Instructional Materials: What are they? Who needs them? What do they have to do with AAC?	This session addresses IDEA 2004's mandate re: providing specialized formats of core instructional materials to students who require them and how NIMAS and the AIM Consortium can help make that happen!	Joy Zabala
An AAC Adventure: One Step at a Time	This session describes a continuum of recreational programs for families and children with CCN that promote increased understanding of AAC systems and their use.	Tracy Kovach	DownloAD Handout Word Format
AT in Education: Professional Development Training Modules	This session describes AT Training Modules developed by TATN to support AT capacity -building across the state of Texas.	Theresa Tanchak and Ana Deter	Download Handout Word Format
AT on the RUN. Universal Design for learning	This session describes how universal design can provide a foundation for regular and special educators to work together and to make it easier for students using AT to access the curriculum.	Donna Broussard and Quentina Timoll
Augmentative Communication Tools for the Medical Setting	This session describes a range of AAC tools available for use in medical-based settings. It includes information about an AAC evaluation toolkit.	Debby McBride	Download Handout #1 PDF Format Download Handout #2 Word Format
Classroom based Augmentative Communication Intervention for Students with Autism	This session provides strategies and techniques to utilize high-tech SGDs for elementary school students with Autism.	Janie Cirlot–New, Tim Morse and John Halloran
Data, data, data: Measuring Effectiveness of Assistive Technology Devices & Services	This session highlights the how and why of measurement to support informed decision making.	Kelly Fonner
Developing Conventional Literacy through AAC	This session uses the Model for Oral and Written Language Development as a framework for discussing conventional literacy instruction for individuals with CCN.	Denise Kennedy and Janie Cirlot-New
Development of Phonological awareness in children with severe speech and language impairments	This session discusses the importance of direct instruction in phonological awareness for students who use AAC and describes the use of an e-book version of Phonics Faces Storybooks.	Meher Banajee
Discovery Learning through Play: Embedding Assistive Technology in to the Early Childhood Classroom	This session explores team-based techniques for incorporating AT into classroom activities to support social interaction, learning, communication, and play.	Theresa Tanchak
Health sources for the SGD funding for children and adults	This session reviews common elements, barriers and resources among all health-based systems of benefits that lead to SGD coverage and funding.	Lewis Golinker	Download Handout powerPoint
Lessons Learned Integrating AAC into Classrooms	This session helps identify where to start with students on lo-tech or hi-tech systems and strategies to optimize the interventions you implement.	Kelly Fonner
LITERACY 101: Getting Started with Literacy for Your AAC Students ((NOTE: A 2-block session))	This session identifies literacy materials for children with CCN who are emergent readers and includes basic strategies for literacy instruction.	Caroline Musselwhite	Download Handout PDF Format
Louisiana State Framework for Assistive Technology (includes screening, evaluation and report writing).	This session provides information about the Louisiana AT Framework, using case studies to illustrate the process.	Meher Banajee
Low Tech Communication Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders	This session focuses on the use of low and no tech solutions for students with ASD and includes strategies and exercises for developing vocabulary.	Janie Cirlot-New
Matchmakers, Matchmakers, Get us some HELP!!!	This session will help individuals and agencies better define their needs and match them with resources and will facilitate on-the-spot connections, as well as long distance relationships.	Harvey Pressman and Caroline Musselwhite
Planting Two Trees with One Seed: Communication Supports for Problem Behavior. Part I and Part II	This session provides practical information about designing and implementing AAC supports for ASD and problem behavior.	Pat Mirenda	DownloAD Handout 1 Download Handout 2 pdf format
Final Plenary Session: AAC: A Bridge Over Troubled Waters	This session will emphasize key elements that are required for successful AAC interventions, regardless of an individual's age or disability. The majority of these elements are technology-independent and can be implemented even under conditions of hardship. The relationship between AAC, self-determination, and quality of life will also be highl	Pat Mirenda
Research to Practice: Shifting sands and the implications	The session highlights the results of AAC-RERC research and development work over the past nine years. We will discuss why and how RERC projects are having an impact on the field, on daily practice and the lives of people with CCN.	Sarah Blackstone	Download Handout PDF Format
Setting up an AAC program under less than optimal circumstances: Tools to help you do your job	This session provides AAC clinicians with efficient, effective methods and tools to use for planning, conducting, and documenting AAC assessments.	Pamela Mathy
SGD access for kids in schools: Funding issues and strategies	This session reviews issues related to funding SGDs for children with complex communication needs,	Lewis Golinker	Download Handout pdf Format
So…what’s the point?: Considering a social networks framework in AAC	This session introduces a social network framework and clinical/research tool for use in AAC assessments and outcomes measurement across the age span.	Sarah Blackstone and Judith Oxley	Download Handout #1 pdf Format Download Handout #2 pdf Format Download Handout #3 pdf Format
Using Talking Photo Albums as AAC Tools	This session describes ways to maximize the potential of using the Talking Photo Album (TPA), a simple, inexpensive, easy-to-use device with people with disabilities.	Harvey Pressman	Download Handout Word Format
What Assistive Technology Does for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders	This session Participants will increase their understanding of the need to use assistive technology to improve the socio-communication skills of students on the autism spectrum.	Janet Mora	Download PowerPoint Presentation
WHAT’S TO READ? Locating, Analyzing, and Adapting Appropriate Literacy Materials for Older Students Who Are Emergent Readers	This workshop focuses on interactive literacy learning for upper elementary students and beyond using no-tech, light and high tech approaches.	Caroline Musselwhite	Download Handout PDF Format
AAC with a Beat! Bongo!	This workshop uses musical instruments and rhythmic patterns combined with, language and movement exercises to demonstrate how rhythm can be used to improve young children's fine motor skills, concentration and expressive speech.	Barry Bernstein
AAC: Emergency Preparedness, Relief, Recovery. It’s Time to Act!		AAC Action CorpS, Sarah Blackstone, Pam Kennedy, O. Cantos	Download Handout PDF Format

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CEU CREDITS!

The United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. This program is offered for up to 1.4 CEUs (Various Levels: Professional Area). ASHA CE Provider approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.

Questions? Contact us at allthatjazz@ussaac.org