Learning Opportunities

WEBINAR: Necessary Components of Successful AAC Implementation

Presented By

Christopher Bugaj

Series Sessions

Date	Time
Wednesday, October 11, 2017	1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday, October 25, 2017	1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Location

Online Online

TARGET AUDIENCE: ALL K-12 TEACHERS, LEARNING LEADERS AND LEARNING COACHES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Learning language is less like one person opening a locked door and more like a team of construction workers building a house. Rarely is it the case that a dynamic augmentative communication device is put in place and then suddenly scores of language comes spilling out of a student. Instead, it takes a consistent, collaborative effort to implement a functional language system. Working to provide students with a way to communicate is often a difficult task wrought with barriers and challenges. Together we’ll explore proven strategies for teaching students how to become effective communicators by teaching them language. Learn how to implement strategies that focus on key elements of augmentative and alternative communication. Questions pertaining to the implementation of core vocabulary (the most frequently used words) will be answered. Strategies for how to integrate aided language stimulation (modeling using a student’s communication system) will be discussed. Learn how motor planning/motor memory is a necessary component to building automaticity and expanding language. Discuss the theory and practice of implementing a language-based curriculum and develop a plan for how language can become the focus of every lesson, activity, and endeavor all day long in all environments. Leave with practical (and fun) ideas for how to successfully implement an expressive language system based on core vocabulary. Stop dooming your students to a life of goldfish crackers and start using a system that works to usher students into a world where they become functional communicators.

This learning opportunity is being offered through curriculum implementation funding from Alberta Education.