by Alicia Alverson, MS, CCC-SLP, ATP (speech/language pathologist); NWACS board member
reading time: 2 minutes
Image of a pineapple wearing a party hat and sunglasses
Happy New Year! I’m excited to embark on our 2023 NWACS theme: AAC Across the Lifespan. This is such a large topic and I look forward to hearing everyone’s contributions to our theme. What is AAC Across the Lifespan, you ask?
We will be covering six different age groups. Each over the course of two months.
January and February: AAC in the birth to three population
We look forward to learning about:
AAC supports for language and speech development
Developing important social connections
What AAC looks like for this age group
AAC implementation strategies
Educational opportunities to learn more about AAC for this age range
March and April: AAC in the 3-5 year old population
We look forward to expanding on what we learned in the birth to three population.
AAC supports that further speech and language development
Developing, fostering, and nurturing social connections
How AAC changes for this age group
AAC implementation strategies to support expanding language and pre-literacy skills
Educational opportunities and resources
May and June: AAC in the school-aged population
We look forward to learning about:
Literacy and AAC
Linguistic, operational, and strategic AAC competencies
Continuing to develop and maintain important social connections
What AAC looks like for the school-aged group and supporting academic needs
AAC implementation strategies
Educational and learning opportunities to expand our knowledge about AAC in the school-aged group
July and August: AAC in the adolescent population
We look forward to learning about:
Transitioning out of the school system to adulthood
Self-advocacy skills
Operational and strategic AAC competencies
Differences in service provision and access to AAC
What AAC looks like for this group
AAC implementation strategies
Educational and learning opportunities to expand our knowledge about AAC in the adolescent-aged population
September and October: AAC in the adult population with developmental disabilities
We look forward to learning about:
Self-advocacy and self-determination
Creating and maintaining social relationships
Being full and supportive communication partners in the activities and environments determined by the AAC user
Discussing how access to therapies and supports change in adulthood
What AAC looks like for the adult population with developmental disabilities
Educational and learning opportunities to expand our knowledge about AAC in the adult population with developmental disabilities
November and December: AAC in the adult population with acquired communication impairments
We look forward to learning about:
using AAC to support losses in skills and changes in function (rather than developing skills)
The WHO-ICF model
Counseling aspects of AAC
What AAC looks like for the adult population with acquired communication impairments
Helpful resources and learning opportunities to expand our knowledge about AAC in this group
As you can see, this our theme covers a wealth of information. I look forward to seeing how our 2022 Communication Bill of Rights theme supports how we look at AAC Across the Lifespan. We will have a variety of ways to take part in our theme this year. Look for information coming soon on:
You can also participate by:
Volunteering with NWACS
Joining our board
Contributing to our blog
Following us on our social media channels
Email us at info@nwacs.info to learn more about any of these opportunities.
What are you looking forward to hearing about this year? Leave your ideas in the comments.
