WEBINAR | AAC Essentials: Practical Strategies, Myths Debunked, and Common Mistakes to Avoid | March 21, 2025

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Instructor

Janna Bedoyan, M.Ed., NBCT

Instructor

Morgan van Diepen, M.Ed., BCBA

RESOURCES

As advocates for individuals with disabilities and their families, we have witnessed how AAC can transform lives, offering learners opportunities for meaningful communication and connection. While many professionals bring valuable expertise, our aim with this interactive training is to equip service providers with practical strategies for introducing and expanding AAC effectively. Through engaging visuals, interactive activities, and approachable language, attendees will feel confident in supporting families and educators to embrace AAC as a visual language.

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) is a proven evidence-based practice, yet common myths and missteps—such as relying on PECS protocols when introducing high-tech AAC—can delay progress and lead to device abandonment. This training addresses these barriers and provides actionable solutions to set learners and their families up for long-term success. Through make-and-take resources and demonstrations, attendees will gain two key strategies for teaching others how to implement and grow AAC use in classrooms, clinics, and homes. Participants will leave inspired and ready to guide their teams in supporting learners in their communication journey.

Participants will be able to:

  1. List 5 common AAC misconceptions that often result in families feeling apprehensive about starting AAC.
  2. Identify 5 common reasons for device abandonment and 5 tips on how to prevent this.
  3. Show SLPAs, teachers, and families 2 strategies for incorporating AAC modeling into clinical, school, or home-based sessions.
  • 5 minutes: Introduction and objectives
  • 5 minutes: The importance of taking a collaborative approach to supporting AAC users (research review)
  • 5 minutes: Understanding AAC as a new language (activity)
  • 10 minutes: Common AAC misconceptions (poll activity)
  • 30 minutes: Common AAC errors + solutions (demonstration & activity)
  • 5 minutes: Preventing device abandonment (discussion)
  • 5 minutes: Using AAC to teach AAC (activity & discussion)
  • 30 minutes: First strategy for incorporating AAC modeling into clinical, school, or home-based sessions (make & take handouts)
  • 25 minutes: Second strategy for incorporating AAC modeling into clinical, school, or home-based sessions (video & make & take handouts)

NOTE: There may changes to handouts/resources prior to the start of the workshop -- be sure you have reviewed any versions you may have downloaded to make sure you have the latest version

NOTE: Available for 2 weeks starting on the live broadcast date. Limit 1 use per purchase.

Virtual streaming workshops and webinars are recorded during the time of broadcast;
the recorded presentation will be accessible to participants for 2 days after the virtual streaming broadcast date.

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Continuing 09 Dec 24