Overview
Over the past five years, the team from the Center for Literacy & Disability Studies built, studied, and shared Project Core. The resulting implementation model has been widely disseminated and has positively impacted early symbolic communication for students with a wide range of needs and abilities. This presentation will feature the final results of the large-scale dissemination research conducted in classrooms across the US. Specifically, we will share case studies of the various ways that schools and school systems used Project Core and the outcomes and benefits of the project for students with significant cognitive disabilities and their teachers.
Content Disclosure: This session is focused on Project Core, a grant funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (#H327S140017), and there will be limited or no information provided about similar research projects. Project Core is aimed at students with significant cognitive disabilities who have limited use of language and could benefit from augmentative communication systems.
Learning Objectives
First Learning Objective: Describe three evidence-based practices included in the Project Core implementation model.
Second Learning Objective: List list four components of the Project Core implementation model.
Third Learning Objective: Discuss two responsibilities instructional coaches often assume to support successful use of the Project Core implementation model.
Primary Strand
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Secondary Strand
Research
Target Audience
- Administrators
- Educators
- Paraprofessionals
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Special Education Educators
Experience Level
Intermediate
Primary Life Cycle Addressed
Elementary - Secondary (K-12)
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
ASHA CE Information:Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: March 13, 2021

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs. (Intermediate level, Professional area.)
This course is also offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
AOTA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.
Speaker/s:
Karen Erickson, Ph.D.
UNC at Chapel Hill, Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies
Biography
Karen Erickson, Ph.D. is the Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, a Professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, and the Yoder Distinguished Professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research addresses literacy assessment and instruction for struggling readers of all ages including those with significant disabilities. Karen is co-developer of the Tar Heel Reader online library of accessible books for beginning readers, as well as several other assistive and learning technologies. She is a former teacher of children with significant disabilities.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Funding from the US Department of Education for Project Core. Co-developer of the Tar Heel Reader online library of accessible books for beginning readers.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No
Lori Geist, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
UNC at Chapel Hill, Assistant Professor
Biography
Lori Geist, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies in the Department of Allied Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lori has worked in direct service, consultation, and product development related to AAC, language, and literacy intervention for students with complex communication needs.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Funding from the US Department of Education for Project Core.Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No