AAC for Neurodiversity Affirming Therapists

What You Will Learn:

1. Introduction to Neurodiversity-Affirming AAC Practices

   • Understand the principles of neurodiversity affirmation and how they influence AAC selection and implementation.
   • Learn strategies to respect and support individual communication preferences and avoid encouraging masking behaviors.

2. Getting Started with AAC for Diverse Clients

   • Explore initial steps for introducing AAC, including identifying candidates and selecting appropriate systems.
   • Understand the role of AAC in facilitating language development, even for very young or minimally verbal clients.

3. Optimizing Progress with AAC

   • Discover practical strategies to troubleshoot common challenges and enhance AAC use in therapy sessions.
   • Learn how to evaluate progress and make data-driven decisions to adjust interventions effectively.

4. Educating and Collaborating with a Team

   • Gain tools to address common myths and misconceptions about AAC when working with parents, teachers, and other professionals.
   • Develop effective communication techniques to create a cohesive support system for AAC users.

5. Adapting AAC to a Changing Landscape

   • Stay updated on evolving AAC technologies and programs to better serve a diverse client base.
   • Learn how to apply knowledge from one AAC case to future clients while recognizing individual differences.

Timed Agenda for AAC for ND Affirming Therapists:

• 10 minutes: Introduction and Welcome
• 20 minutes: Foundations of AAC and Neurodiversity
• 15 minutes: Regulation and Communication
• 15 minutes: Individualized AAC Approaches & Practical Application

Timed Agenda for Successful Sensory Sessions with AAC Users:

• 5 minutes: Introduction and Welcome
• 10 minutes: Understanding Sensory Needs and AAC
• 10 minutes: Structuring Sensory Sessions for AAC Users
• 15 minutes: Modeling AAC during Sensory Activities 
• 5 minutes: General Session Structure for Therapists

Meet the Speakers:

Chris Wenger ("Speech Dude"): As a school-based SLP and creator of the Dynamic Assessment of Social Emotional Learning (DASEL), Chris brings a unique blend of humor and insight to his work. His engaging style and dedication to innovative practices have inspired professionals worldwide.

Jessie Ginsburg ("Sensory SLP"): CEO of Pediatric Therapy Playhouse in Los Angeles, Jessie is a leading voice in sensory integration and neurodiversity affirming practices. Her Inside Out Sensory Certificate Program has revolutionized therapeutic approaches for autistic children, providing a compassionate and effective framework for support.

Speaker Disclosures:

Chris Wenger

• Financial: Receives a salary from the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, royalties from product sales on his website, and a speaker honorarium.
• Non-financial: Co-chair for the West End SELPA SLP Forum.

Jessie Ginsburg

• Financial: CEO of Pediatric Therapy Playhouse, receives royalties from her Inside Out Sensory Certificate Programs, and a speaker honorarium.

Non-financial: No non-financial disclosures at this time.

Learning Objectives:

✔ Identify key principles of neurodiversity-affirming practices in AAC implementation

• Participants will be able to describe how to align AAC strategies with a neurodiversity-affirming framework, including fostering autonomy and respecting individual communication preferences.

✔ Evaluate AAC strategies to optimize progress for diverse clients

• Participants will learn to assess and modify their current AAC practices to better support language development and engagement for clients with varying needs.

 ✔ Dispel common myths about AAC and enhance collaboration with stakeholders

• Participants will be able to educate parents, teachers, and other professionals about AAC, addressing misconceptions and fostering a supportive environment for AAC users.

 ✔ Focus on key factors, like regulation, that will help a child learn and access AAC more effectively

• Participants will be able to structure sensory-based therapy sessions that prioritize client regulation, create communication opportunities, and implement AAC modeling without expectation to support meaningful engagement and skill development.