Sponsored by: AssistiveWare

Overview

As we try to provide Gestalt Language Processors the best conditions for success, we can fail to look to the long-term. This session will involve identifying long-term goals for GLPs and how we can support (or accidentally sabotage) success when working with AAC users who are GLPs. Speech therapy strategies, parent coaching, and editing of the AAC device will all be considered. This session assumes a rudimentary knowledge of Gestalt Language Processing.

Content Disclosure: This presentation will focus exclusively on products/services of AssistiveWear and will not include information on other similar or related products or services.

Learning Objectives

1. Compare at least one short-term and one long-term goal for Gestalt Language Processors.
2. Demonstrate two strategies to program gestalts into an AAC device while building a strong motor plan for single words in the device.
3. Identify one or more challenges in educating parents about Gestalt Language Processing and AAC.

Strand(s)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Target Audience

AT Specialists; Communication Specialist; Educators; Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education; Family Members; 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 recording

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Friday, January 26 from 2:15 PM - 3:15 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; ASHA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Speaker/s:

Lily Konyn

AssistiveWare, AAC Researcher

Biography

Lily Konyn (she/her) is an AAC researcher and support team member with AssistiveWare. She is autistic and communicates using a mix of speech, high-tech AAC, and American Sign Language. Through her own experience as a part-time AAC user, supporting a family member to gain access to AAC, working in classrooms, group homes, and research, Lily has developed a unique perspective in the field. Lily has presented on diverse and inclusive AAC, AAC terminology, alternative access, and offers a personal perspective Gestalt Language Processing that is grounded by research. In 2021, Lily graduated from California State University Northridge with a degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services, following her B.A. in Linguistics at University of Oregon.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Lily receives wages from AssistiveWare, where she is an AAC Researcher and Support Specialist.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Lily is a part-time AAC user.

Alyssa Hillary Zisk, PhD

AssistiveWare, AAC Research Team Lead

BIOGRAPHY

Alyssa (they/them/theirs) lives in the northeastern USA, between Boston and New York City. They are an Autistic part-time AAC user, using a variety of text-based tools. Alyssa does AAC research, some of which is related to their own AAC use and needs and some of which is not. They completed their PhD in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience in May 2021, working on brain-computer interfaces for people with ALS. Alyssa is also one of the moderators of the Facebook group, Ask Me, I’m an AAC User.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Dr. Zisk is paid by AssistiveWare to do AAC research.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Dr. Zisk is on the editrorial board of Ought: the journal of autistic culture, the admin team of the Facebook group "Ask Me, I'm an AAC User", and the advisory council of CommunicationFIRST.