8:30 - 10:00 - Plenary - Beth Foley

What Students Need In Order To Read
The National Reading Panel has identified five key areas in which students must develop competence in order to become literate: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, text comprehension, and fluency. NCLB legislation mandates the use of research-based strategies to provide students with explicit and systematic instruction in these five areas. This session will describe adapted instructional strategies, as well as technology supports, which enable students who use AAC to participate in appropriate literacy-learning experiences.
» Handout   [PDF, 2.35MB]

10:15 - 11:45 - Concurrent Session - Pati King-DeBaun

You've Gotta Have Art! Tapping into the Potential
Opportunities to explore and use writing/drawing tools for sharing experiences and ideas are the building blocks that facilitate risk-taking, creativity, and independent learning. This session will discuss the importance of art and the key role it plays in literacy and language development for children with severe disabilities. Participants will see a wide range of adapted art materials for individuals with severe disabilities age 0-102!
» Handout   [PDF, 2.85MB]

10:15 - 11:45 - Concurrent Session - Martine Smith

SCRAWLing: A Practical framework for literacy intervention in AAC
This practical session will introduce a framework for approaching literacy intervention with children who use AAC. Participants will explore strategies to develop shared stories, and will use these stories as a focus for setting speech, language, reading and writing goals. Participants are encouraged to bring favorite stories with them to this session.
» Handout #1   [PDF, 215k]
» Handout #2   [PDF, 45k]

10:15 - 11:45 - Concurrent Session - André Luchsinger

Practical Tips for Capturing High Quality Digital Video
This presentation provides practical information and tips for obtaining high quality digital video of interactions with children who use AAC. Digital video offers an effective medium for assessing and documenting the complexities of these interactions for multiple purposes. While sharing examples of video footage taken at Bridge School, this presentation will address equipment selection within your budget, and covers key considerations for capturing, editing, and archiving video footage in a range of settings.
» Handout   [PDF, 383k]

10:15 - 11:45 - Concurrent Session - Beth Foley

I Can Read! Phonemic Awareness/Phonics Instruction for AAC Users
Phonemic awareness (PA) plays a critical role in the development of reading and spelling ability. Students with complex communication needs have a significantly increased risk of deficits in PA and other phonological processing skills. Participants will learn a variety of instructional strategies for improving PA and phonics skills in students who use AAC. The role of speech-generating devices and other technology supports in PA/Phonics instruction will be discussed. Videos of PA/Phonics instruction will be shown.

10:15 - 11:45 - Concurrent Session - Susan Moore

"Unfiltered Voices" Family Perspectives on Current Practices in AAC
This interactive session will explore parental perspectives focused on reported benefits and challenges about use of AAC systems with children. Parental reactions regarding the impact of commonly held myths and misperceptions will also be discussed. Information shared is intended to inform current practices by providers and influence preparation of professionals involved in AAC services and supports.
» Handout   [PDF, 248k]

10:15 - 11:45 - Concurrent Session - Patricia Mervine

Engaging Students in a Symbol-Based Curriculum
Children with special needs benefit from visual supports for development of communication, literacy, and learning. This presentation will spotlight a multitude of materials and strategies to fully engage students in learning and communicating through the use of symbols. An emphasis on motivation, integrated therapy, and use of thematic units will be highlighted by videos of students participating in over-the-top "integrated therapy extravaganzas" in which all therapies and symbol-based strategies are practiced in very creative, engaging contexts.
» Handout #1   [PDF, 57k]
» Handout #2   [PDF, 861k]