Tips for AAC Implementation in the School Setting
Access This WebinarImplementation of a student’s AAC device is key to the continued growth of their overall communication skills. In the school setting, on-going coaching and collaboration within a team increases opportunities and breaks down barriers students face when accessing their system. In this beginner-level course, we will describe tips on how multidisciplinary teams support the use of AAC devices across the school setting. We will identify common barriers students face when implementing an AAC device and provide possible solutions to eliminate them. Implementation techniques such as aided language stimulation and the vital role it plays in students learning their devices will be described along with opportunities for modeling within daily school routines.
Larin Wilson M.A., CCC-SLP, Speech Therapy Advisor, BlazerWorks
Larin is a highly qualified speech-language pathologist specializing in preschool special education and supporting students with mild to moderate disabilities as well as those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. As a BlazerWorks Speech Therapy Advisor, she loves connecting with districts and therapists to collaborate, give guidance and help problem-solve with individual solutions. In particular, she thrives on equipping districts, therapists, and partners with the knowledge and tools they need to successfully work together and create the best learning environment possible.
Larin joins the BlazerWorks team with over 18 years of experience as a contract speech therapist in Ventura and San Francisco, California, where she also served on the Ventura SELPA committee as a representative of the school district. More recently she provided speech services for children in preschool through 8th grade at a bilingual charter school in Camarillo, California. Having worked in contract positions during her career has helped her in her current role, as she is able to impart her knowledge to new professionals and district teams.
Larin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences and her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Indiana University Bloomington. Larin has her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a member of the California Speech-Language Hearing Association (CSHA).
Disclosures Financial: Larin Wilson receives financial compensation as an employee of BlazerWorks.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Larin Wilson has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Randal McCormack, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech Therapy Advisor, BlazerWorks
Randal is a highly skilled speech-language pathologist who specializes in augmentative alternative communication (AAC). She emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to supporting students as a whole. In her role as a Speech Therapy Advisor, she enjoys assisting districts and school professionals with different strategies to support students’ communication goals.
Randal spent four years working in specialized schools and the early intervention program of New Jersey, her home state, before moving to the Bay Area of California. During her time in California, she had the opportunity to gain experience working in private practice, a special education preschool program, and a special education high school. After moving to Oregon, where she now resides, Randal worked as a consultant for a speech-generating device company learning an immense amount about Augmentative Alternative Communication.
Randal earned her Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Old Dominion University, and her Master of Speech-Language Pathology from Seton Hall University. Randal holds her Oregon State Speech-Language Pathology License, State of California Speech-Language Pathology License, and her Certificate of Clinical Competence from The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Disclosures Financial: Randal McCormack receives financial compensation as an employee of BlazerWorks.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Randal McCormack has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.