AUGMENTATIVE & ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION

Catalog description

This course is designed to introduce students to the nature and process of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), current theories and models of AAC, basic elements of AAC systems, and contemporary AAC clinical practices and principles. Topics will be examined from educational and rehabilitation perspectives as they relate to assessment, prescription, implementation and evaluation. The course will emphasize practical solutions in AAC for children and adults using both high technology and other less-complex communication strategies. Students will explore high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech options of AAC and gain knowledge of and experience with assessment of clients for AAC needs, prescription of an appropriate level of AAC, practice with implementing various AAC systems, and on-going evaluation of the AAC system's effectiveness with clients.