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ATP040301: Switch Access: A Plan from Adapted Toys to Robust AAC

Overview

Join this son and mom team discussing adapted toys, switch access, and AAC. Michael will talk about why learning to use a switch is important and will show you a step-by-step tutorial of adapting a plush toy. He will also show you the steps taken to 3D print and assemble a switch. Christine will take it from there, discussing the stepping stones needed to get your student or child from a cause and effect switch user to an independent and autonomous AAC communicator.

Session Content Disclosure: This session is focused on programs based at JerichoAdaptsToys.org, an organization that provides a free lending library of switch adapted toys for schools and programs across Long Island and New York City.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify three benefits of switch access.
  2. Demonstrate three steps needed to adapt a plush toy and 3D printed switch.
  3. Identify three ways to build on switch access towards independent AAC use on a speech generating device.

Primary & Secondary Strands

Assistive Technology for Physical Access and Participation; Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Target Audience

  • Accessibility Professional
  • Administrators
  • AT Specialists
  • Caregivers
  • Communication Specialist
  • Consultants/Trainers
  • Disability Services
  • Educators
  • Family Members
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Paraprofessionals
  • Physical Therapists
  • Rehab Therapists
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Special Education Educators
  • Teachers of the Visually Impaired

Experience Level

Introductory

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

All

Content Area

Professional Area

Course Schedule

This course was included in the ATIA 2021: AT Connected virtual event education program.

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: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.

ASHA CE Information: Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: March 4, 2021
ASHA Continuing Education Approved Provider
This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs. (Introductory level, Professional area.)

This course was approved by CRCC for CRC CEUs and was included in the ATIA CRC AT for Physical Access and Participation Series (2023-2024). This series offering was available from March 20, 2023, through March 19, 2024.

Speaker/s:

Michael Dicpinigaitis

JerichoAdaptsToys.org, Student and founder of JerichoAdaptsToys.org

Biography

My name is Michael Dicpinigaitis. I am a freshman at Cornell University. In 2018, I founded JerichoAdaptsToys.org, an organization that provides a free lending library of switch adapted toys for schools and programs across Long Island and New York City.

Relevant Financial Relationship: No (Student) 

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Founder of JerichoAdaptsToys.org, an organization that provides a free lending library of switch adapted toys for schools and programs across Long Island and New York City.


Christine Baudin, M.S., CCC-SLP

Private Practice, AAC Consultant

Biography

Christine Baudin, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSHH is a NYS licensed speech-language pathologist. She earned her master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. Christine has specialized in the area of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for the past 20 plus years. Christine is also the founder and administrator of several Facebook groups including the popular group: AAC for the SLP, with over 31,000 members to date.

Christine has worked in many settings over the years servicing individuals with complex communication needs including hospitals, AAC evaluation clinics, schools, and students' homes. Currently, she consults for school districts in New York's Nassau and Suffolk Counties, sees students through the NYC DOE as well as privately. Christine does AAC evaluations, consultations, staff development trainings, and sees children for their ongoing Assistive Technology (AT) mandates.

Christine's passion is teaching communication partners best practices for implementing AAC. She has done workshops, webinars, and lectured for graduate universities.

Christine most enjoys assisting school teams in implementing best practices with their students with complex communication needs through ongoing consultations and staff development.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Independent AAC Consultant. 

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Christine is the founder and administrator of several Facebook groups including the popular group: AAC for the SLP, with over 31,000 members to date.