Overview
Families are often
the most powerful resource for other families when entering the journey of
Augmentative & Alternative Communication with a child. Several families
have documented their child’s AAC journey on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or
Pinterest. We often look to these resources for ideas and/or comfort to know
that someone else has experienced similar issues, reached similar decision
points, survived would-be crises to alter their family’s journey in a
communication path. During this session, panelists will share their Tips &
Resources that they have from their own child & family’s experiences. They
represent a variety of AAC System users and ages. Please be prepared for
discussion.
Learning Objectives
- Identify three resources on AAC pertaining to their child and AAC implementation strategies
- Identify one other family member and/or professional to contact via internet service for information pertaining to their child
- Create an electronic or printed journal of the course of their child’s AAC journey.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Target Audience
Caregivers; Communication Specialist; Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities; Family Members; Paraprofessionals; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators
Experience Level
Introductory
Content Area
Professional Area
ATIA 2020 Conference Recording
This course was given at the ATIA 2020 Conference on Thursday, January 30, 2020 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs
This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
AOTA; IACET
For: 0.1 CEU Units.
ASHA CE Information:
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: April 1, 2020. This course was offered for 0.10 ASHA CEUs. (Introductory level.)
End date of ASHA CEUs offering: April 30, 2023
Speaker/s:
Kelly Fonner
Fonner Consulting
Kelly is a self-employed, independent consultant and trainer in assistive and educational technology. Since 1986, she has presented to schools, universities & families in 48 US states & internationally in Australia, Canada and South Africa. She presents on a wide range of topics including technology integration, augmentative communication, computer access, literacy, electronic writing, organizers, assistive technology assessment and implementation strategies. Kelly has a B.S. in special education from Millersville University, an M.S. in educational technology with a minor in special education/rehabilitation technology from The Johns Hopkins University, and holds an Assistive Technology Applications Certificate of Learning from CA State University - Northridge. She has pursued additional study in adult and urban education at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Kelly has been working with individuals with disabilities since the mid 70s and with assistive technologies since 1983. Her teaching experiences have been as a teacher assistant, teacher, instructional media specialist, and assistive technology consultant in early childhood, preschool and school age programs. In the past, she has worked as a consultant with PATTAN/PennTech, UW-Milwaukee, Oregon Health & Science University and Easter Seals of Philadelphia. Since 1999, Kelly has maintained an independent business with contract work in educational and assistive technology consultation and training with schools, families, agencies, and companies.
Kelly has taught courses at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in both the Occupational Therapy and Exceptional Education departments and at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She was a part of the development and training team for the ATACP, CSUN, California State University – Northridge’s Center on Disabilities and a Communication coach for Oregon Health & Science University with the Communication Matrix Community of Practice.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
I receive an honorarium as a preconference speaker. I receive a complimentary registration to the conference and some travel reimbursement as an ATIA Strand Adviser.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
I am a contract trainer for some of the products that I will demonstrate, but am not limited by those contracts.
Carolyn Phillips
Center for Inclusive Design & Innovation @ Georgia Tech
Carolyn P. Phillips serves as the Interim Executive Director of AMAC Accessibility at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and her master's degree from the University of Kentucky. She is a nationally recognized expert in the field of assistive technology and disabilities. She has spoken to numerous groups on topics that include assistive technology, advocacy, self-determination and living with a learning disability. Carolyn is also the Director of Tools for Life, the Georgia Assistive Technology Act Program and Pass It On Center, the National Assistive Technology Reuse Technical Assistance and Coordination Center.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Institutional affiliation (i.e. serves as strand advisor for ATIA)
Erin Sheldon
Integration Action for Inclusion
Erin Sheldon earned her graduate degree studying the special education needs of students with Angelman syndrome. She is particularly interested in the language development and literacy skills that create opportunity for strong friendships and inclusion in the community. Erin is the CEO of Integration Action for Inclusion, Ontario’s school inclusion parent advocacy organization. Erin also works as a literacy and AAC specialist for Assistiveware, as well as with numerous school teams to foster the inclusion of students with complex communication needs in the regular curriculum. She serves on the Communication Advisory Panel of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) and led the ASF’s year-long communication and literacy webinar series for educators, SLPs, and parents. She has published book chapters, articles, and manuals. She regularly presents at conferences, and has presented professional development in over ten countries. She lives in Kingston, Ontario, Canada with her family, including her teenage daughter, Maggie, who has Angelman syndrome.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Consulting fee from independent contractor work for AssistiveWare.
Consulting fee from independent contractor work for Integration Action for Inclusion (non-profit parent association).
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Erin Sheldon is the mother of a teenager who uses AAC (PODD) that might be mentioned in sessions. Erin serves on the Board of Directors of CommunicationFIRST, a non-profit advocacy organization committed to access to AAC for all people with communication disabilities.
Brian Whitmer
CoughDrop, Inc.
Brian is a computer programmer with extensive experience in human-computer interactions who graduated with his Masters of Computer Science from Brigham Young University. He co-created the learning management system, Canvas, utilized by hundreds of districts and universities nationwide. In an effort to improve communication for his daughter who has Rett Syndrome and cannot speak, Brian worked with dozens of speech professionals to develop and then create the cross-platform augmentative communication app, CoughDrop. CoughDrop is now used around the world to give voice to people with communication struggles.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Brian Whitmer is the founder and CEO of CoughDrop, a cloud-based AAC app.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Brian Whitmer is the father of an AAC user.