Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Location: Zoom via RESNA Learn

Time: 12:00pm Eastern

Title: Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Gaining Access to AAC

Speakers: Amy Bereiter, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP, BCS-CL, Wendy Lybrand, MS, CCC-SLP

Abstract: As Assistive Technology Professionals we often focus on finding, implementing, and trouble- shooting AT tools. For those who cannot rely on speech alone for communication, this means identifying the most appropriate AAC solution and supporting its implementation. However, there can be significant opportunity barriers to initial access to AAC such as restrictive policies and practices, deficits in adult/professional knowledge and skills, and negative attitudes and beliefs (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013). This session will focus on identifying and overcoming these barriers, with a special focus on the preschool through young adult population.  

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of session, attendees will be able to:

1. Describe potential opportunity barriers to initial access to AAC.
2. Discuss and debunk pervasive myths about AAC.
3. Identify resources to utilize when advocating against opportunity barriers.

Primary topic area: AAC - Augmentative & Alternative Communication
Secondary topic area: K12 - K-12 Practice

Presenter Bios:

Amy Bereiter, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP, BCS-CL

Amy Bereiter, MS, CCC-SLPL, ATP, BCS-CL, received her Bachelor of Health Science degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Kentucky and her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Redlands. She has been a speech-language pathologist since 2004, working with toddlers through young adults, and has worked in a wide range of settings including in-home early intervention, early childhood through middle school special education, pediatric rehabilitation, University clinic, and private practice. Amy currently manages a team of school-based AAC and AT Specialists. She specializes in language development of Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) communicators and working with children who exhibit complex communication needs. She co-developed and taught a graduate level course on AAC and has provided guest lectures in graduate level courses on numerous occasions. She is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional, LAMP Certified Professional, and Board Certified Specialist in Child Language. She has presented locally, regionally, and internationally to educate and support AAC implementation across environments with a focus on language development.

Wendy Lybrand, MS, CCC-SLP

Wendy Lybrand, MS, CCC-SLP has 20 years of experience working in schools serving a diverse caseload of PK-12 students and five years of experience manageing SLPs. She held her RESNA ATP certification while a member of the Assistive Technology Team in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools.  She has been a guest lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and a national presenter on various speech-language and AT topics, including presenting at ASHA in 2017.  Wendy is an alumnus of the ASHA Leadership Development Program and has served on two different state association boards.

Completion of the post-event survey and quiz earns 0.1 IACET CEUs.

RESNA has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 21670 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 170, Sterling, VA 20166: (703) 506-3275