1. Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2. Referral Procedures Teacher consult with SLP SLP consult with AAC specialist Case Manager schedules IEP meeting If IEP team recommends an evaluation

3. Referral Procedures Documentation ◦Signed Evaluation Plan and meeting notes ◦Copy of recent Speech and Language Eval ◦Complete AAC/AT referral form ◦Pragmatic Profile (parent/teacher/SLP)

4. Challenge “A child who uses speech will independently select the words she wishes to use from the vast array of words she hears/sees used everyday.” “A child who uses AAC will independently select the words she wishes to use from the vocabulary other people have chosen to model and, for aided symbols, made available for her to use.” Poter and Kirkland, 1995

6. More Challenges People supporting children learning to communicate using aided symbols need to…. ◦predict and provide sufficient vocabulary to meet communication needs ◦stimulate the further development of communication and language skills

7. INPUTOUTPUT Spoken Language Development Spoken Language

8. INPUTOUTPUT Child Learning Aided Symbols Spoken Language Aided Language

9. Aim to create a language learning environment with more balance in the modes of communication used for receptive input and those the child is learning to use expressively. INPUTOUTPUT Aided Language Spoken Language Aided Language (Spoken Language)

10. Duh! Prospective users must be provided with frequent examples of interactive, generative use to acquire any semblance of proficiency. Goossens’, Crain and Elder (1988)

11. Statistics Typically developing child by 18 months has been exposed to 4,380 waking hours of oral language. Typical AAC user exposed to 2x/week for 30 minutes would take 84 years to have same level of exposure.

12. Statistics Typically developing child will demonstrate language competency around 9-12 years of age having been immersed and practicing oral language for 36,500 hours. Typical AAC user exposed to 2x/week for 30 minutes would take 701 years to have same level of exposure. Jane Korsten (2011) QIAT Listserv

13. Aided Language Displays NOT choice making boards Modeling how to initiate and maintain conversation, not just respond

14. Core Vocabulary Displays Core Vocabulary: high frequency words which can be combined to get a message across Fringe Vocabulary: low frequency, topic related

15. Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) PODD is a way of organizing whole word and symbol vocabulary in a communication book or VOD to provide immersion and modeling for learning. (www.novita.org.au)

16. Style PODDs have different formats depending on the individual physical, sensory, and communication needs.

17. Development Developed over 15 years by Gayle Porter Students with CP and expanded to students with complex communication needs

18. How to model PODD system

19. How to model PODD Model the student’s means of initiating conversation (e.g., raising hand, establishing eye contact, etc.)

20. Always start on the Front Page

21. Conversation starters

22. Follow branch pathways and operational symbols.

23. Speak aloud as you touch a symbol.

24. Repeat the message.

25. Being a Smart Partner

26. Let’s try it!

28. What about the measurable goals?

29. Operational Competency Johnny will show interest and attention to someone using an aided communication system by: looking toward the symbols or partner, calming during process, looking away but appearing to listen, or responding to the message a minimum of 10x/day over a variety of contexts. DateOpportunity Presented Child Attended Type of Attention 9/30lllll Looked, smiled

30. Linguistic Competency Johnny will relate information or tell a story by providing sufficient information for his partner to understand his specific message in 4/5 morning circle times over a 3 week observation period. Johnny will use appropriate syntactical forms to provide sufficient information to enable listener to understand message without contextual cues.

31. Social Competency Johnny will increase the number of communication intents/functions used to 5 across a school day on 4/5 days Johnny will initiate communication with at least 5 different communication partners across a school day on 4/5 days.

32. Strategic Competency How to enhance communication beyond the system.

33. Move on!