Overview
As the field slowly abandons compliance-based therapy methods in favor of a more authentic communication approach, practitioners may find teen users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems on their caseloads who continue to demonstrate increased anxiety, low self-esteem, prompt dependency, decreased intrinsic motivation, and suppressed autonomy. In this session, participants will explore actionable intervention and advocacy strategies for building rapport with teens who appear therapied out. By prioritizing connection and authentic communication in their practice, clinicians will re-commit to supporting students' language outcomes in a way that is neurodiversity-affirming and honors the Communication Bill of Rights.
Learning Objectives
- Identify two potential outcomes of compliance-based therapy in their teenaged clients who use AAC.
- Describe three neurodiversity-affirming intervention strategies for supporting authentic communication, increasing intrinsic motivation, and/or decreasing prompt dependence.
- Discuss two ways to advocate for their students' success through targeting self-advocacy skills, setting intentional goals and objectives, and/or engineering their environment.
Primary & Secondary Strand
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Target Audience
- AT Specialists
- Caregivers
- Communication Specialist
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Disability Services
- Educators
- Family Members
- Occupational Therapists
- Paraprofessionals
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Special Education Educators
Experience Level
Intermediate
Primary Life Cycle Addressed
Elementary - Secondary (K-12)
Session Delivery Format
In-person presentation with live-stream
Course Schedule
This course was given at the ATIA 2023 Conference on Friday, February 3 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Learning Center CEUs
ASHA CE Information: Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: September 15, 2023
This course is also offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.
End date of CRC CEUs offering: January 30, 2024
As this course was included in the ATIA 2023 Virtual Event series, please refer to the ATIA Learning Center CEUs page for further information on how to submit your CRC CEUs for this course to CRCC.
Speaker/s:
Kelsey Brown, M.S., CCC-SLP
St Coletta of Greater Washington, Speech Language Pathologist
Biography
Kelsey Brown is a speech-language pathologist at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a specialized school for students with complex communication needs aged 3-22. She is passionate about robust Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, comprehensive literacy for all, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and community arts and cultural access. Brown is also a children's book author ("Come On, Calm!," 2019) and teaches inclusive drama and storytelling classes in Maryland and Virginia.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Kelsey Brown receives a salary from St. Coletta of Greater Washington. She is also author of “Come On, Calm!” and receives payments from book sales.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Kelsey Brown is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing association and SIG 12.
Morgan Smith, M.S., OTR/L
St Coletta of Greater Washington, Occupational Therapist
Biography
Morgan Smith is an occupational therapist currently practicing in a public charter school for children and young adults with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. They primarily work with students ages 15-22 on identifying areas of strength and increasing functional independence as students transition from an academic focus to post-graduation life. Interventions focus on promoting sensory related self-regulation skills, using assistive technology to improve student access to the school environment, and identifying accommodations to increase independence in school and home-based activities.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Morgan Smith receives a salary from St Coletta of Greater Washington.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Morgan Smith is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.