Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2025V - Supporting Students Who Use AAC: Approaches to Differentiating Instruction and Individualizing Intervention

ON-DEMAND

Format: 1-Hour Seminar (Virtual)

Audience: Students, International Affiliates, Assistants, Early Career Professionals (under 5 years)

Keywords: AAC, schools, Intervention, therapy, curriculum

Presenting Author(s)

Carole Zangari, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, ASHA-F

Professor
Nova Southeastern University

View Handouts
Ashley Larisey, M.S., CCC-SLP/L

Speech Language Pathologist
Community High School District 218

Students who use AAC are a diverse group who need considerable assistance from SLPs. This presentation explores two approaches to supporting these students: one focusing on classroom instruction, another based on therapeutic intervention. Participants will learn how direct and indirect services can be used to help these students be more active participants in curriculum lessons and improve their language and AAC skills. Instructional methods related to the communicative context and language input will be reviewed along with strategies that can be used in explicit instruction of language skills. Ideas for integrating AAC and language therapy with curriculum objectives and/or materials will be shared. Case examples of emergent, context-dependent, and independent AAC communicators will be used to illustrate key points.

Learning Objectives:

Explain the role of SLPs in helping classroom teams better support students who use AAC in curriculum lessons
Describe strategies that facilitate participation and learning in curriculum lessons for students who use AAC at varying levels
Discuss ways of infusing curriculum content into AAC and language therapy for students who are context-dependent and independent communicators