Friday "Appy" Hour: Assistiveware Autism Acceptance Month Discounts

Access to AAC and the right to communicate are basic rights that are being eroded by the stress the pandemic has put on the whole system. That’s why, to mark Autism Acceptance Month we offer our traditional discount for a longer period and to more products. Save the date From 30th March until and including 6th April 2021 we’re offering our usual 50% discount on: Proloquo2Go (Mac & iOS) the Gateway vocabulary (in-app purchase in Proloquo2Go) Proloquo4Text (Mac & iOS) Keeble  Pictello Our AAC videos on-demand For schools - the discount on our apps also applies to Apple’s Educational Volume Purchase Program (VPP). When your school or educational organization purchases 20 copies or more, you get an additional 50% off - that’s a total of 75% off! Read more about the discount

AAC Awareness Month App Sales

AAC Awareness Month is here and with that comes much anticipated graphic with all of the apps that will be on sale in October 2019. Pay close attention to dates (they vary) & mark your calendars! 

Source: Lauren S. Enders

Webinar Wednesday: Avoiding Presumptions: The Pitfalls of “Presuming Competence”

Avoiding Presumptions: The Pitfalls of “Presuming Competence”

Live Broadcast Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2019 3:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern Time Zone

Webinar Type: Live Broadcast
Webinar Code: AT19-WEB10-LB
Webinar Fee: $39

Register Now!

Overview

The ideology of “presuming competence” has become a buzzword and is increasingly incorporated into practice within the field of AAC, despite its pseudoscientific origins and lack of supporting evidence. This webinar will discuss the benefits of recognizing the potential of all communicators, while maintaining an individualized lens for current abilities and future needs. In other words, how do we support each individual’s potential, while offering opportunities and expectations within their ZPD?​

Learning Objectives

1. The learner will identify 3 limitations to presuming competence without consideration for an individual’s current abilities and zone of proximal development.
2. The learner will define stimulability and the zone of proximal development as they relate to AAC system selection and goal development.
3. The learner will identify 2 tools that provide data to aid in goal development within the zone of proximal development.

Speakers

Katie O’Neil, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist in the Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a diagnostic clinician specializing in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and has worked in the field of AAC in various settings. Katie received her MS from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She has spoken nationally and internationally on AAC-related topics and has a particular interest in sensory impairment as it relates to AAC.

Rebecca McCarthy, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who has worked in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in various settings, including her current role as a diagnostic clinician within Boston Children's Hospital Augmentative Communication Program. Rebecca received her Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Emerson College in Boston, MA. Rebecca has spoken nationally and internationally on a range of topics related to AAC.

Webinar Wednesday: Aided Language: From Research to Practice

For children and adults with complex needs, Aided Language Stimulation (ALS) is a communication strategy, where a communication partner teaches symbol meaning and models language by combining his or her own verbal input with selection of vocabulary on the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system. The resource featured below from AAC Language Lab helps to provide a visual overview of the definition, procedures, tips and resources. 

Additionally, the blog PrAACticalAAC offers a plethora of video, printable and other resources to support those new to Aided Language or those looking to further their knowledge. 

If you're interested in learning more about Aided Language, be sure to register for the webinar presented by AAC experts Kelly Fonner and Sharon Redmon. Information and a live link to register is listed below: 

DATE:

June 11, 2019, 01:00 pm CST - 60-minutes

TITLE:

Aided Language: from Research to Practice

DESCRIPTION:

“Aided language may be defined as the use of communication aides in face-to-face conversations.” (VonTetzchner, 2018). Various AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) vendors & presenters talk about the use of Aided Language Stimulation, Modeling, Aided Input and other methods of introducing a language system to an individual with CCN (Complex Communication Needs). In this webinar we will provide the research background on Aided language, explain aspects and skills related to utilizing it in your practice, and give usable examples of its implementation into real life in school, community and home. Learn how to model because it is not as easy as it sounds..

COST:

FREE

PRESENTER:

KELLY FONNER

 & 

SHARON REDMON

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Webinar Wednesday: What’s in your Bag: AT/AAC tools and Teaching tips

Date: May 9, 2019

Time: 3:30-4:30

Description:

What is in your bag of tools when you walk into a classroom?  Literally.  In this hour-long webinar, we will look into my toolbox I have carried with me around the world when working with AT/AAC users in and out of the classroom.  We will also talk about those non-tangible tools, teaching tips and tricks to add to your toolbox to help students succeed whether in the therapy or the classroom.

 

Learning Objectives: In this webinar participants will be able to...

• List three tangible items to add to a toolbox
• Describe two teaching tips for student engagement
• Implement one teaching strategy to increase student engagement

Presenter:

Sharon Redmon is a SpEd and GenEd teacher with over 20 years of experience.  She holds a Masters of Science degree in Adaptive Education: Assistive Technology and an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) license from RESNA. Sharon's passion for AT and especially AAC began with her first teaching job in WI where she became involved in WATI and continues today as a leader in the WI AAC Network created by an AAC Communicator.  Sharon has been an AT specialist for a WI and WA school district, ECSE teacher (low incidence population), SPED/ABA/Autism coordinator/teacher, high school and kindergarten teacher and now ATP in private practice. Her classroom experience in WI, WA and overseas schools, has given her a unique perspective on how UDL, AT, and AAC intertwine.  She is excited to be back in Washington State and working with individuals of all ages and abilities to access communication and their environment.

Registration Information:
Create an online registration

Contact: e-mail Sue Wright at the SETC office to register, wrightsu@cwu.edu

Friday Appy Hour: Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month with Assistiveware

Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month and the folks at Assistiveware are looking forward to celebrating.  They will amplify autistic voices by sharing resources and blogs written by the autistic community. With this celebration is the return of the 4-day discount of their apps including Proloquo2Go, Proloquo4Text,  Pictello, Keeble and Gateway. Each will be discounted at 50% off.

Save the date!

The 50% discount will be in effect worldwide from Tuesday, April 2 to Friday, April 5. No need to fill in a discount code - you’ll see the discounted amount in the App Store.

Discount also available for volume purchase discount

The discount also applies to Apple’s Educational Volume Purchase Program. When your school or educational organization purchases 20 copies or more, you get an additional 50% off. That’s 75% off!

Webinar Wednesday: How Do I Develop Switch Skills?

DATE:

October 17, 2018, 02:00 pm CST - 60-minutes

TITLE:

How Do I Develop Switch Skills?

DESCRIPTION

You have selected an optimal switch site and switch type. How do you help the student to develop switch competence? This webinar will present strategies to increase the student’s ability to use a switch effectively.

COST:

FREE

PRESENTER:

MICHELLE LANGE

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

About the presenter

Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Michelle is an occupational therapist with 30 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 10 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide, editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th ed., NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator and Clinical Editor of Directions magazine. Michelle is on the teaching faculty of RESNA. Michelle is a member of the Clinician Task Force. Michelle is a certified ATP, certified SMS and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the ABDA. 

Top 10 Back to School Proloquo2Go Tips

In schools around the globe, teachers have focused their efforts on preparing lesson plans, learning new curricular programs and keeping up on the latest in educational technology. All of this is with the intentions to enable students to be engaged and have a meaningful learning experience.

The amazing folks at Assistiveware have put together a top 10 list of tips to help you prepare for the new school year...Be sure to click here for the full article which contains links and more details about how you can better prepare for those students using Proloquo2Go!

1. Make a backup of your student's vocabulary

2. Update to the latest versions of Proloquo2Go and iOS

3. Check out our resources

4. Update your students' vocabulary and voice

5. Talk to the parents

6. Make sure home and school stay synched

7. Create a “How I Spent my Summer Vacation” story

8. Connect to other professionals

9. Make sure you stay up-to-date

10. Check out our iPad keyboards


Source: Assistiveware

Autism Awareness Month: Discounted AAC and Literacy Apps

The time of year has arrived again where many AAC and literacy apps become discounted in honor of Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month. If you're looking to purchase an AAC or literacy app don't miss your chance to download select apps at a substantial discount. It is important to note the specific sale dates for each app as they vary!! Additionally, deeper discounts are available if you are purchasing these apps in bulk through Apple's VPP (Volume Purchasing Program). 

SLP, AAC Consultant, AT Consultant, Special Educator, Lauren Enders, created the following graphics below. Please be sure to click the links to the graphic as well as a spreadsheet with links for purchasing/downloading apps.

Here's the link to a PDF of this graphic for sharing: http://bit.ly/aacappsalegraphicmarchapril18

Here's the link to the spreadsheet with sale dates and download links: http://bit.ly/aacappsalesmarchapril18

Source: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenSEndersMaCccSlp/

Feature Matching Guide and Webinar

Those working in the field of Assistive Technology understand all too well the importance of feature matching when making the determination of getting technology into the hands of those in need of support. As shared on the CTD website, understanding the key needs, goals, and objectives for a student and the key features of an app/device, enables us to match students with the most appropriate device or app to achieve a desired goal. Dr. Therese Willkomm created the resource featured below for app analysis to help guide the process. Before accessing the guide, be sure to view the webinar, Feature Matching of Apps for Students with Disabilities.

App Analysis for Feature Matching Guide

In this webinar, Dr. Therese Willkomm discusses and demonstrates various tools, resources, and strategies to select the most appropriate app based upon desired outcomes, the environment, and the student's abilities. Participants will learn how to perform an app analysis that analyzes apps based measurable student goals and the physical, sensory, cognitive, environmental, and social abilities required to affectively use the app for the intended goal.

To learn more about feature matching, also visit http://matchingpersonandtechnology.com/ which provides more detailed information regarding the feature matching and sample feature matching checklists. 

Sources: Center on Technology and Disability, Matching Person and Technology

AAC Awareness Month: Social Media: A Powerful Tool for AAC Learning and Networking

In our personal lives we see firsthand how social media creates a world of connectedness, allowing us to communicate with friends and family that may not be physically close. Parents and educators, too are turning to social mediate to showcase the work of their children and students, optimize their professional images, or connect with others in their field to share resources and grow their professional practice. When put to good use, the opportunities that are afforded to us through social media are endless. 

The ASHA Leader, an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association publication, published a list created by Lauren S. Enders, a Speech-Language Pathologist, of some of the most popular social media platforms used by the AAC community including blogs, Facebook pages or groups, Pinterest, and YouTube. Although these AAC-related social media sites and pages only make up a subsection of those available, they will get you started in making new connections and finding respected resources. If you need more information on how to serve those using AAC, these sites can help you provide best practices and approaches for your clients or students.

To view the original article, click here. Please add any others you find resourceful in the comments section below. 

Blogs

AAC Intervention: Caroline Musselwhite taps into her 30 years of experience to offers tips, products and presentation handouts.

Jane Farrrall Consulting: Jane Farrall shares excellent information on literacy, AAC and assistive technology. Her site also includes a helpful and frequently updated list of AAC apps.

PraacticalAAC: This prolific searchable blog—created by Carole Zangari and the late Robin Parker of Nova Southeastern University in South Florida—offers daily posts with high-quality resources including articles, videos, product highlights, from professionals and families in the AAC community.

Stories of a Seasoned AAC SLP: This blog from Gail Van Tatenhove offers helpful implementation strategies and stories.
Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs: This blog offers guidance and resources from Kate Ahern who is an assistive technology specialist and teacher of students with complex communication needs.

Uncommon Sense Blog: Written by Dana Nieder, this blog offers an interesting viewpoint because Nieder is a mom to a spunky little girl using AAC and is completing graduate school to become an SLP.

Facebook pages and groups

AAC for the SLP: This group offers a place for SLPs working with AAC users to post questions, find resources and participate in discussions about related issues.

AAC Through Motivate, Model, Move Out of the Way: This group, created by Kate Ahern, aims to “share how to use motivating activities and interactions, modeling and fading supports to increase independence to support AAC users in becoming competent communicators.”

Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP: On my professional Facebook page, I curate and post resources related to AAC every day.

PrAACtical AAC: By liking this page, you will see posts from PrAACtical AAC in your newsfeed.

Rachael Langley, AAC Specialist: Langley is an SLP who shares resources such as the latest AAC technology or innovations, as well as original AAC memes and posters.
In addition, check out user groups and pages for dedicated devices and AAC apps. In addition to sharing useful resources, these pages can be a way to get speedy technical support from an employee or an experienced user. Simply search the name of a company or AAC System to find company sites or device user groups.

Pinterest boards

AAC Chicks

Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP

PrAACticalAAC

*Leslie DiChiara

YouTube channels: Videos to demonstrate device features and operation as well as models of best practices in implementation.

AAC Chicks

Communicare, LLC

Gail Van Tatenhove

Kate Ahern

We Speak PODD

Source: The ASHA Leader

AAC Awareness Month: Top 10 Must-Know Tips for AAC (Augmentative-Alternative Communication)

AAC Awareness Month is here.....Heard of AAC, but are unsure of what it's all about? New to the field and looking for more information? Or are you just learning to expand your knowledge? 

The following article written by Susan Berkowitz for Speech Science features the Top 10 Must-Know Tips for AAC Interventions. Topics covered in the article include, but are not limited to...

• AAC has many myths surrounding it that prevent individuals’ access to it.
• Aided Language Stimulation (ALgS) is a crucial ingredient to teaching someone to use AAC
• Core words should be the initial focus of providing vocabulary to individuals learning to use AAC.
• Planning is crucial when partners are using ALgS.
• AAC system is a compilation of strategies that allow the individual to communicate effectively a variety of intents in a variety of contexts, with a variety of partners.
• PECS is not enough.
• There are many ways of accessing an AAC system.
• Language therapy is language therapy.
• Don’t just focus on answering questions in class or asking for what the user wants or needs. Communication is social.

To read the full article click here....

Source: Speech Science

AAC Awareness Month: Deep Discounts with Assistiveware

To celebrate AAC Awareness Month AssistiveWare will be offering a 50% discount on 4 of their popular apps: Proloquo2Go, Proloquo4Text, Pictello and Keeble. Gateway to Language & Learning©, the core word vocabulary available through an in-app purchase in Proloquo2Go, will also be at half price.

The discount, available worldwide on the App Store, will be in effect from October 10th through October 12th.

If you buy more, you save more

The discount also applies to Apple’s Volume Purchase Program for Education. When your school or educational organization purchases 20 copies or more, you get an additional 50% off! That's 75% off the original price!

Spread the word

Do you know people who could benefit from these apps? Make sure you share the news about this limited-time discount!

If you have any questions about the discount please contact the AssistiveWare support team at support@assistiveware.com

* Please note: The discount percentage is based on the US App Store. Exact prices vary from country to country. Bundles will not be discounted during this promotion.

AAC Awareness Month: TouchChat 50% off October 4-6

For the first time ever, the TouchChat app is going to be offered 50% off for 3 days only to celebrate AAC Awareness Month!  The discount will be valid Wednesday, October 4th through Friday, October 6th.

This promotion includes all TouchChat apps worldwide (except Classic TouchChat). However, the discount does NOT apply to in-app purchases.

To purchase TouchChat in the App Store:  simply go to the App Store, search for TouchChat App, make the appropriate selection (make sure it shows up as 1/2 off), and purchase using your Apple ID.

To purchase Touchchat using a Purchase Order:  Purchase orders need to be dated October 4, 5, or 6 and they need to be received  by us through email (info@touchchatapp.com) or fax (330-674-6726) on October 4, 5, or 6.  Any P.O.'s received outside of these dates will not honor the discounted purchase price.  NO Purchase Orders will be accepted by any means outside of fax or email.  Purchase Order pricing will include tax. 

Purchase Order pricing is 

$82.50--TouchChat HD app

$165—TouchChat HD with WordPower app

Note: The discount % is based on the US App Store. Exact prices may vary in other countries.

Where It's AT Blogiversary: Giveaway #4: Attainment's GOTalk Now & Bee Visual's Choiceworks & Calendar

*Update: Congratulations to our randomly selected main prize winner: Janet F.! A secondary congrats to our other winners: Maureen T., Angie S. & Katie C. Be sure to check out each day's giveaways!*

Today's bundled giveaway is an incredible value and one not to miss....

Thanks to the amazing folks at Attainment Company and BeeVisual, LLC, all Where It's AT subscribers will have the chance to win a copy of the AAC app GoTalk Now by Attainment Company paired with a free download of BeeVisual, LLC's Choiceworks and Choiceworks Calendar. All downloads are compatible with iOS

Additionally, 3 other lucky winners will get their own download codes for Choiceworks and Choiceworks Calendar. Read below to learn more about each of the items in today's giveaway! 

GoTalk NOW by Attainment Company

Attainment has been making augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools for 25 years. Our experience is front and center in GoTalk NOW, a flexible, easy-to-use, yet powerful app for people who have difficulty speaking.

NOW combines the simplicity of GoTalks (Attainment’s popular original AAC device) with the dynamic capabilities of an iPad. GoTalk NOW has all the essentials of an effective AAC app, like adjustable page layouts, customizable navigation, recorded and text-to-speech capabilities, and an included symbol set. But we sweated the details to create unique and compelling features that clearly separate NOW from other AAC apps.

The new NOW offers three styles of communication pages: Standard, Express, and Scenes. In Standard pages, the action occurs when the location is pressed. In Express pages, recorded or text-to-speech messages build in a speech bar and play in sequence when the bar is pressed. Scene pages are built around a single photo or image. When you arrange invisible hotspots over people or objects in the photo, the hotspots play speech, music, or videos! 

Features:
• Choose 1, 2, 4, 9, 16, 25 or 36 locations per page.
• Use images from your iPad camera, photo library, or the Imagine Symbol set.
• Search the Internet in-app for the perfect image or icon.
• Purchase SymbolStix or Widgit Symbols libraries in-app.
• Crop, scale, or rotate an image using your fingers.
• Combine multiple images in a single communication location.
• Color pages, borders, and text with any hue.
• Move and size text with your fingers so it feels just right.
• Record your voice or use our free text-to-speech voice.
• Buy higher quality voices for only 99 cents each, available in over 20 languages.
• Add spoken labels (auditory cues) to any button. Great for scanning, guiding visually impaired users, and identifying any new or difficult vocabulary.
• Trim videos in-app, and play them from any communication location.
• Select our alternate video interface to pause or exit the video easily.
• Link songs from your playlist to any communication location and control them with Pause/Play, Next, and Previous.
• Include a core vocabulary button for extra quick access to important messages.
• Create multimedia social stories and step-by-step instruction layouts by linking pages with an after action.
• Share complete communication books via WiFi with any iPad user who has NOW.
• Back up communication books via Dropbox or to any Mac or PC for safekeeping.
• Store and share interactive templates (each including speech, video, text, and jump to links) on our online gallery for free.
• Download and edit premade templates from Attainment’s collection on the public gallery, also free.
• Email links to your templates to parents and colleagues, who can open the template on their iPad by tapping on the link.
• Print and save communication book layouts via PDFs.
• Access Now with single or two-switch scanning.

Choiceworks & Choiceworks Calendar by BeeVisual, LLC

Choiceworks App




The Choiceworks App is a picture-based learning tool that helps children complete daily routines (morning, day, & night), understand & control their feelings and improve their waiting skills (taking turns and not interrupting). Created with the support of leading hospitals and child development specialists, this app is designed for caregivers to provide clear and consistent support to foster a child’s independence, positive behavior, and emotional regulation at home and in the community. It can also be customized for teachers in a school setting.

Key Features

■ Three boards: Schedule, Waiting, and Feelings
■ Three Companion Books supporting each board
■ Image Library preloaded with over 180 images and audio
■ Add your own images and record your own audio for limitless customizability
■ Attach video to any board image
■ Easily create profiles to personalize and manage multiple users
■ Save an unlimited number of boards for multiple children or different routines
■ Speaks boards out loud with professionally recorded audio
■ Time saving essentials like search and auto-save
■ Share boards by Email or iTunes File Sharing with other Choiceworks app users
■ Ability to print boards or save as PDF

Choiceworks Calendar

The Choiceworks Calendar is a full-featured, kid friendly calendar app designed to help children learn concepts of time and help caregivers to keep them organized. By presenting the abstract concept of time in a structured, visual format, Choiceworks Calendar helps children organize their lives as well as understand sequence and time. 

Key Features
■ Easily create a visual calendar of upcoming events in a few minutes (examples: holidays, when visitors are coming, doctor appointments, vacations, sleepovers, parent returning from a trip or military duty)

■ Image Library preloaded with over 275 images and audio
■ Add your own images using your photo library, camera or use the preloaded image library to record your own audio and edit captions for limitless customizability
■ Create multiple personalized calendars for use with multiple children or in a classroom setting
■ Count Days Until: animated counter for the number of days until an upcoming event (example: How many days until my birthday?)
■ Speaks the daily schedule
■ Built-in visual timer
■ Automatically adds holidays
■ Easily add reoccurring events
■ Notifications and alarms with visual and audio alerts
■ Search and auto-save features
■ Share boards by Email or iTunes File Sharing with other Choiceworks Calendar app users
■ Ability to print month, week or day for offline viewing or save as PDF

Where It's AT Blogiversary: Giveaway #3: Coughdrop License & Brookes Publishing Books

*Update: Congratulations to our randomly selected winner: Laura D.! Be sure to check out each day's giveaways!*

For day 3 it only seemed right to put together, not 1, not 2, but THREE products to giveaway to you, with totals valuing over $300!!! 

Today's giveaway comes courtesy of CoughDrop and Brookes Publishing. Be sure to enter to win a full AAC license by CoughDrop [valued at $200} and TWO hardcopy titles from Brookes Publishing:

 Teaching Communication Skills to Students with Severe Disabilities [valued at $50] and Alternative and Augmentative Communication [valued at $85]. Read below to learn more about each of the products available! 

The first item of today's giveaway is a download of the augmentative communication license by CoughDrop. 

At CoughDrop they believe that every voice should be heard. Disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome and Rett syndrome make it harder for individuals to communicate on their own. Many people use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools in order to help make their voices heard.

CoughDrop works to help bring out the voices of those with complex communication needs through powerful open-source technology that actually makes things easier and supports everyone in helping the individual succeed.

The following video provides an overview of the powerful tool created by CoughDrop.

The final two items of today's giveaway are brought to you by 

Brookes Publishing. 

The mission at Brookes Publlishing is simple: All people—regardless of ability or background—deserve to achieve their goals and lead fulfilling, self-directed lives. Partnering with top experts, the publishing company delivers relevant, high-quality, research-backed content in optimal form.

Brookes Publishing provides the latest printed and e-books, and book series on critical topics spanning from Early Childhood to K-12 to Higher Education to Community Supports.

The first book is included in today's giveaway is...

Teaching Communication Skills to Students with Severe Disabilities by June E. Downing, Amy Hanreddy & 

Kathryn D. Peckham-Hardin

Synopsis: How can educators and therapists support effective communication for students with severe and multiple disabilities? Today's best research and strategies are in the NEW third edition of this trusted textbook and teaching guide. Current and future education professionals will get up-to-date information and practical guidance on the entire process of supporting communication for students of all ages, from assessing their communication skills to involving peers and adults in intervention. An important textbook and professional reference, this comprehensive volume will help educators, paraprofessionals, SLPs, and other school staff skillfully support every student's right to communicate.



The second book included in today's giveaway is...

Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Supporting Children & Adults with Complex Communication Needs 

by David R. Beukelman and Pat Mirenda

Synopsis: As AAC use continues to flourish and new technology revolutionizes the field, tomorrow's service providers need current, authoritative information on AAC for children and adults with communication disorders. That's why David Beukelman and Pat Mirenda have revised and updated the bestselling Augmentative and Alternative Communication—the trusted, widely adopted graduate-level text on communication disorders and AAC. The foundational textbook for SLPs, OTs, PTs, teachers, and other professionals in clinical and educational settings, this fourth edition is a definitive introduction to AAC processes, interventions, and technologies that help people best meet their daily communication needs. Future professionals will prepare for their work in the field with critical new information on

• advancing literacy skills (new chapter by Janice Light and David McNaughton)
• conducting effective, culturally appropriate assessment to determine AAC needs
• choosing AAC interventions appropriate for age and ability
• selecting AAC vocabulary tailored to individual needs
• using new consumer technologies as easy, affordable, and non-stigmatizing communication devices
• understanding types of symbols and how individuals use them
• promoting social competence
• supporting language learning and development
• providing effective support to beginning communicators
• planning an inclusive education for students with complex communication needs

Readers will get a thorough overview of communication and AAC issues for people with specific developmental disabilities (including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and autism) and acquired disabilities (such as aphasia, traumatic brain injury, and degenerative cognitive and linguistic disorders). And with helpful photos, figures, and photocopiable forms, readers will be ready to collect and use important information on assessment, individual communication needs, classroom supports, and more.

An essential core text for tomorrow's professionals—and a key reference for inservice practitioners—this new fourth edition expertly prepares readers to support the communicative competence of children and adults with a wide range of complex needs.