Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable.
~ David Augsburger
About AAC
In the content area of AAC, training is focused on building a tiered system of support that recognizes that all critical communication partners are essential in supporting the development of complex communicators.
Support begins with AAC Foundations (Tier 1), robust training for all partners that build knowledge and skill in supporting students, participating in AAC tool decision-making, and building solid implementation plans.
This model also supports the development of certified AAC Implementers (Tier 2) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who can guide the AAC Needs Assessment process and support teams in building strong implementation. In a shift to more inclusive programming for students, SLPs who have these students on their caseloads, need to be effectively positioned to meet the student's unique skill development needs.
This model also supports shifting the role (or creating the role if one does not exist in your system) of AAC Specialists (Tier 3) who can train, coach, mentor, and provide technical support to all staff and families as well as AAC Implementers across a system. AAC Specialists also more directly guide assessment, funding, and implementation for those students with the most complex AAC needs (e.g. those students who require alternative access, who may have additional sensory needs, or require more robust and individualized language representation systems).
View or download this handout for more information on the training model.
View or download this handout for a comparison of our two levels of AAC certification.
1
Tier 1 AAC Foundations: This tier of training is broken down into four (3-hour) sessions that can be provided in-person or virtually.
The following sections are password protected for participants who are enrolled in each tier of training. Click on the link and enter the password your trainer(s) provided to access the materials and resources you will need during each training phase.
Scope and Sequence - AAC Foundations
Click here to view a more detailed scope and sequence for this phase of training.
Scope and Sequence - AAC Implementation
Click here to view a more detailed scope and sequence for this phase of training.
2
Tier 2 - AAC Implementation: The next tier of training is broken down into eight (3-hour) sessions provided virtually. In between each session, individualized coaching sessions are set up between an AAC Mentor and the participant.
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​Following the training sessions, SLPs can expect to complete two AAC Needs Assessments for students who require more individualized AAC tools and may need more emergent, entry, intermediate, or mobile technologies with AAC Apps.
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SLPs will also facilitate a team-based plan for implementing skill development with selected AAC strategies and tools.
The following sections are password protected for participants enrolled in each training tier. Click on the link and enter the password provided by the trainer(s) to access the materials and resources needed during each phase of training.
3
Tier 3 - AAC Specialization: This final tier of training includes attendance at an AAC Advanced Summer Institute over three days, along with additional virtual sessions (totalling 24 hours of additional training).Â
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Following the trainings, SLPs are expected to complete an additional AAC Needs Assessment for a student with more complex access needs.
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SLPs will also prepare and submit a report and funding packet to obtain funding for a speech-generating device via an alternative source of (medically-based) funding (e.g. CCS, MediCal, private insurance).
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SLPs will also facilitate a team-based plan for implementing skill development with a more advanced AAC tool and/or alternative access methods.
The following sections are password protected for participants enrolled in each training tier. Click on the link and enter the password provided by the trainer(s) to access the materials and resources needed during each phase of training.
Scope and Sequence - AAC Specialization
Click here to view a more detailed scope and sequence for this phase of training.