Sponsored by: Tobii Dynavox

Overview

Writing and measuring goals for alternative and augmentative communication users can be a challenging component of the intervention process for speech-language pathologists. What goal do I start with? What should we target next? The free, device-agnostic Dynamic AAC Goals Grid (DAGG) has been used worldwide to help speech-language pathologists collaborate with the support team and family as they design a systematic intervention plan. We will share the user-tested updates to the DAGG-3 including easy-to-read goals, the addition of literacy, psychosocial, and access goals, an updated prompting hierarchy, and example activities for each goal.

Content Disclosure: This presentation will focus exclusively on the DAGG-3 which is a free device agnostic resource available through the Tobii Dynavox website and will not include information on other similar resources.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the organizational strategy (competency and communication ability level) used in the DAGG-3.
2. Discuss how to measure and show progress for justification of one or more AAC therapies.
3. Select one or more appropriate goals for individuals using AAC using the new DAGG-3.

Strand(s)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Target Audience

AT Specialists; Communication Specialist; Consultants/Trainers; Paraprofessionals; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators

Experience Level

Introductory; Intermediate

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

All

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with live-stream

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Friday, January 26 from 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM (EST)

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:
ACVREP; ASHA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Speaker/s:

Elizabeth Bahr, MA, CCC-SLP

Tobii Dynavox, Clinical Assistive Communication Specialist

Biography

Elizabeth Bahr is a clinical specialist on the Product Management team at Tobii Dynavox. Over the past 20 years she has worked as an SLP at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (RIC) Technology Center in Chicago, and developing clinical content and resources for Tobii Dynavox. Elizabeth has published peer-reviewed articles on using AAC in the acute care setting and AAC for medically complex patients and is currently focused on projects regarding alternative access for AAC.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Elizabeth Bahr helped revise the DAGG-3 and co-authored the activities that go with the DAGG-3 but receives no royalties.

Stephanie Ekis, MS CCC-SLP

Dynamic Therapy Associates, Owner

Biography

Stephanie Ekis, MS CCC-SLP is a co-owner of Interact Therapy, providing speech, language and augmentative communication services to individuals and school districts through education, consulting, materials development and dissemination of resources. Stephanie also works with Dynamic Therapy/DTA Schools as an AAC consultant training and consulting with special education teachers and therapists. She started her career as an augmentative communication consultant and has taught graduate level AAC courses at the University of Louisville. Stephanie has provided assessment, therapy, and consultation services for individuals with complex communication needs for over 28 years. She worked for over 25 years with a major speech generating device manufacturer, managing new product development, customer outcomes/consultation, implementation training and therapy resource development.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Stephanie receives reimbursement for her services with both Interact Therapy and Dynamic Therapy Associates contract.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No