General Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention

Presented by Kristy Weissling and Sarah E. Wallace

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Video Runtime: 43 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 40 Minutes

Although AAC interventions have been implemented by speech-language pathologists for multiple decades, some limitations exist in related to how best to provide AAC intervention services to adults with acquired communication impairments. This course will offer an overview of AAC intervention within a framework provided by the Beukleman and Miranda’s Participation Model (2013). Evidence-based strategies and tools will be discussed throughout.

Meet your instructors

Kristy Weissling

Kristy Weissling, SLP.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her B.S. and M.S. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her professional doctorate in speech language pathology from Nova Southeastern University in 2006. She is the on-campus clinic…

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Sarah E. Wallace

Sarah E. Wallace is an associate professor and program director for the Adult Language and Cognition Clinic in the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She also directs the Communication and…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Importance of Intervention

1. Importance of Intervention

This chapter will cover the definition of AAC including a broad conceptualization of strategies and devices that support expressive and receptive communication abilities in individuals with complex communication needs. Additionally, this chapter will highlight that AAC and natural ability interventions do not need to be mutually exclusive. Finally, the chapter will provide descriptions of the linguistic, social, strategic, and operational competencies that should be addressed within interventions.

Opportunity Barrier Interventions

2. Opportunity Barrier Interventions

This chapter will cover information related to opportunity barriers. Opportunity barriers include facilitator knowledge and skill, practices, policies, as well as attitudes external to the person with complex communication needs that effect his or her successful use of AAC. Interventions relate to these barriers often include education and advocacy.

Direct  Interventions

3. Direct Interventions

This chapter will include information about direct interventions that can increase the communication effectiveness of the person with complex communication needs. These are a sample of interventions that might be use with people with multiple diagnoses leading to complex communication needs.

Environmental Adaptations and Accommodations

4. Environmental Adaptations and Accommodations

Environmental adaptations can include communication partner instruction and modifications to the person’s environment that support successful communication. For example, the communication partner may learn to respond to all communication attempts. Accommodations involve modifying the expectations for a role or task to increase the person’s success