The importance of early intervention services to support children with delays in communication development is well known. Although research has also established the need for appropriate AAC intervention during these critical years, many non-verbal or limited verbal children will continue to enter Kindergarten without a reliable system of AAC strategies to support communication success. This talk will briefly explore practical strategies for assessing the supported communication needs of children’ in the earliest stages of communication development. A larger focus will be placed on presenting intervention strategies around the use of no tech, low, tech, and high tech AAC systems to support receptive and expressive language development and promote communication competency for today and the future! Attendees will also be provided with take-home materials and online resources for further learning and exploration.

Presented by: Tanna Neufeld, MS, CCC-SLP

Age Group Addressed: Birth through Age 5

Who Should Attend: Parents, Foster Parents, Relative Care Givers, Teachers, Therapists, Home Visitors, Interested Professionals, Students

This is an Intermediate session. Attendees should understand what augmentative and alternative communication is and should have a basic understanding of early communication development. Having some experience using AAC strategies with their own child or with a child they support is helpful.