Infant and Early Childhood Conference, Preconference session

"This pre-conference session will explore practical strategies to assess and address the supported communication needs of children in the earliest stages of communication development. Lecture, discussion, video learning, and hands-on practice will be used to emphasize how multimodal AAC strategies can be utilized to support developmental goals across domains and environments. Challenges to the process of shaping language through AAC strategies –such as those posed by delays or differences in engagement, attention, and sensory regulation-will also be addressed and potential solutions provided. Attendees will explore a full range of no tech, low tech, and high tech AAC solutions and discover how these tools can collectively be used to create a true communication “system” for early communicators. Content will not only explore symbolic AAC solutions, but will also emphasize how more sophisticated and conventional non-symbolic communication forms can be shaped through the scaffolding process by supportive communication partners within natural learning experiences. Take-home materials and online resources for further learning will also be provided."

Presenter: Tanna Neufeld, MS, CCC-SLP, Seattle AAC