Lessons Learned from Working with Teens and Adults


February 26, 2021

Home > AAC > Across the Lifespan > Adolescence
Lessons Learned from Working with Teens and Adults with IDD

By: Cassandra Stafford, SLP, ATP (speech-language pathologist and assistive technology professional); NWACS Board Member

Reading time: 1 minute

This past summer I was invited as a guest speaker in the AAC class for SLP graduate students at the University of Washington. I was asked to speak about assessment and intervention considerations for teen/adult context-dependent communicators with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I was given one hour to do my best to address this topic for these SLPs-to-be. As this is a little discussed population, I would like to share what I put together – updated a bit from what I presented in August.

Do you work with teens and adults with IDD? What “lessons” do you have to add? Please share your thoughts (or questions) below in comments!

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Casey Stafford

Cassandra Stafford, MS, CCC-SLP/L, ATP

Preferred Pronouns: she/her

Casey is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Professional with a private practice (Vlinder Communication Therapies) in the Seattle area. She works primarily with children, however she also has experience with teens and adults with intellectual/development disabilities. She signed on with the NWACS board in 2015 to help with “webmaster” and social media duties, and knows just enough to almost look like she knows what she is doing. Despite having grown up in Eastern Washington where summer temps regularly reached triple digits, she now starts to wilt as the temperature creeps past 70. Casey enjoys reading, crocheting, card-making, and doting on her adorable nieces!

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