Assessment and Intervention in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Catalog description

Research results in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); implications for assessment, prescription of AAC systems, and intervention planning in AAC. CSD 551CSD 551 Assessment and Intervention in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3) In this course students examine current applications of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) including unaided and aided AAC systems. Students critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of these systems, identify the skills required to use these systems, and describe individuals who may benefit from AAC. Many topics of importance to AAC are studied including key legislation related to people with disabilities, consumer-responsive services and strategies to effectively implement services that are consumer-responsive. Clinical management is emphasized and students determine appropriate AAC assessment goals, procedures, and tools to identify the communication needs of individuals who require AAC, assess their skills and determine opportunity barriers. Students customize AAC systems to meet the needs of individuals who require AAC, determine partner strategies to enhance communicative interaction with individuals who use AAC and use empirically-validated instructional procedures to teach these strategies to partners. Students evaluate the efficacy of AAC interventions and determine consumer satisfaction. To accomplish these goals, students complete laboratory assignments and written case assignments in AAC assessment, vocabulary selection, and intervention planning and implementation.