Serc&crecteammeetingpm Final

 

Supporting Social Communication & Participation for Children with Significant Disabilities and Autism through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) 

Did you know that … Children with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome are often unable to rely on their speech to communicate with others, severely restricting their participation in social and educational activities. How can AAC help … Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) provides a means for individuals with significant communication disabilities to access the magic and power of communication to meet their full potential. AAC systems are used by a (TEAM) and include the use of signs, communication boards and books, and computer-based assistive technology that provide speech output. How can our school team be more effective in using ACC… Training for school teams of up to (four) are scheduled from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the Coltsville Conference Room, 34 Sequassen Avenue, Hartford, CT and Friday, February 5, 2010 at CREC Central, 111 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, CT. Makeup date for the February 5, 2010 meeting is March 4, 2010. What will take place… Day One of the collaborative effort between SERC and CREC include an overview of AAC for children with autism and significant disabilities. Day Two will provide more hands-on training and lesson planning to incorporate AAC into a child’s daily school routine. What will we learn… • Participants in this professional development activity will understand the significance of communication; • Recognize the need to provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to children with autism and significant disabilities; • Increase their knowledge and skills regarding AAC strategies and supports for students with ASD and significant disabilities; • Create a communication system for a student to enhance social communication and participation throughout the school day; • Learn strategies for effective implementation of a communication system during the school day. • Learn how to work effectively as a team to use AAC to support social communication. Is there a cost… The cost of the team meetings is $300 per team. Each team can have up to four participants. CEU’s will be awarded. Each team must bring an anonymous case study of a student. Details to follow… To register for the AAC Collaborative Team Meetings please go to:

https://www.protraxx.com/Scripts/EzCatalogny/ViewClass.aspx?ID=173030&CustomerID=128

For additional information please contact Smita Worah, SERC Consultant, at [email protected] or Nicole Natale, CREC M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP at [email protected]

Professional Development co-sponsored by the State Education Resource Center and the Capitol Region Education Council