Overview

Families of beginning AAC users benefit from high-quality, systematic support that can be difficult for practitioners to provide on a consistent basis. This presentation shares the results of the Stepping into AAC project, which created free resources to introduce families to AAC, guide them through the early months of using new communication tools and strategies, and engage their school teams around this content. Project materials include 100 easy-to-implement AAC practice activities, 60+ videos on a range of AAC topics, and 20 newsletters with additional information/resources to use and share with teams to strengthen AAC implementation.

Content Disclosure: The presentation focuses on a set of free materials called Stepping Into AAC. They will be available without charge to professionals, families, and AAC users.

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss one or more rationale for providing asynchronous support to families of children who are beginning to use AAC.
2. Describe the three tiers of Stepping Into AAC support materials.
3. Explain how to access the Stepping Into AAC on one or more platform including online, print, and/or video resources.

Strand(s)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Target Audience

AT Specialists; Caregivers; Communication Specialist; Consultants/Trainers; Educators; Occupational Therapists; Paraprofessionals; Rehabilitation Counselor; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators

Experience Level

Intermediate

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

Birth – Pre K; Elementary - Secondary (K-12)

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with live-stream

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Thursday, January 25 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (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; AOTA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Live Session: This course is offered for 0.10 ASHA CEU Units or 1.0 ASHA CEU Hours.

Recorded Session: This course is offered for 0.05 ASHA CEU Units or 0.5 ASHA CEU Hours per ASHA guidelines.

Speaker/s:

Carole Zangari, PhD

Nova Southeastern University, Director, Tyler Institute, NSU CARD Satellite

Biography

Dr. Carole Zangari is a Professor in the Speech Language Pathology department at Nova Southeastern University where she teaches master’s/doctoral courses in AAC, coordinates the AAC Lab, and supports graduate student clinicians. In addition, Dr. Zangari serves as the Executive Director of the Broward satellite of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD). She is a frequent presenter on AAC topics at international and national conferences. Dr. Zangari is the co-editor of Practically Speaking Language, Literacy, and Academic Development for Students with AAC Needs and co-author of TELL ME: AAC in the Preschool Classroom and TELL ME Más: CAA en el Aula Preescolar. Dr. Zangari recently co-authored a multimedia online training module on AAC and Autism for OCALI. She blogs at www.PrAACticalAAC.org.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Dr. Zangari receives publication royalties from Paul H Brookes Publishing and Attainment Company. She is an ATIA Strand Advisor and receives complementary conference registration for that role.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Dr. Zangari is the owner/author of an educational website, www.PrAACticalAAC, that is non-revenue-bearing. She is the Principal Investigator for the Stepping into AAC project.

Michaela Ball, MS CF-SLP

Canyons School District, Speech-Language Pathologist

Biography

Michaela Ball received her masters in Communication Disorders from Idaho State University in 2022. Prior to becoming a speech-language pathologist, she worked for a decade as a sound recordist and engineer for narrative films and television shows. She currently works for the Canyons School District in the Salt Lake City area and serves as a member of the district’s assistive technology team. She has edited an AAC-focused podcast called Talking With Tech since 2018.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Michaela Ball was contracted by the Angelman Syndrome Foundation to manage media, film, and edit the video elements of the Stepping Into AAC project. Michaela Ball also receives compensation for editing the podcast Talking With Tech.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No