This hybrid course is designed to empower AAC users through a comprehensive approach to language learning and communication development. Blending the flexibility of on-demand eLearning with the engagement of in-person training, participants will explore the foundational pillars of successful AAC outcomes.
Participants will use their AAC Learning Journey profile to access 4 eLearning course training modules two weeks before the live, in-person instruction day. The modules, which take approximately 3.5 hours to complete in total, can be done individually at the participant’s own pace.
The eLearning modules provide in-depth instruction on:
During the in-person session, participants will engage in large and small group activities with a focus on:
Key topics include assessment of current language levels, system design, vocabulary organization, motor automaticity, and the critical role of communication partners. This course is ideal for professionals seeking practical tools and strategies to support AAC users in achieving meaningful, language-rich communication including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, general and special educators and paraprofessionals as well as family members.
This course qualifies professionals for the Unity App Partner Program.
Learner Outcomes:
Time-Ordered Agenda:
eLearning Modules
50 minutes Vocabulary Selection in AAC
50 minutes AAC and Language Development
50 minutes Language Representation Methods
60 minutes The Impact of System Design Success
In-Person Day of instruction (8:30am to 4:30pm)
90 minutes Hands-on Unity Training
220 minutes Explicit Language Intervention Strategies
50 minutes Communication Partner Support
30 minutes Meeting Success – AAC User Interaction
Please note the following details regarding this course:
-Participate in polls/quizzes throughout the presentation, if applicable.
-Complete the course quiz and pass with 80% accuracy.
-Complete our PRC-Saltillo ASHA Certificate Form
-The PRC-Saltillo ASHA/Certificate Form will not be accepted after the course ends.
Possible Presenters:
Deborah Laurent Witkowski, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with 35 years of experience in AAC. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from West Virginia University in 1986 and a Master of Arts Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh in 1988. Deborah has devoted her entire career to working with individuals with complex communication needs. She served as assistive technology consultant for multiple school districts in the state of Connecticut over a 15-year period. She also spent 12 years working as a content developer and clinical consultant for Semantic Compaction Systems. It was at Semantic Compaction Systems where she had the opportunity to develop Unidad, a robust bilingual Spanish/English language AAC system. Currently, Deborah works as a training and implementation specialist for the Minspeak Academy at PRC-Saltillo. In addition to developing continuing education courses in a variety of formats, she also works on the content development and the bilingual vocabulary project teams. She is a member of a Bilingual AAC Professional Learning Community. Deborah is a member of ASHA and SIG 12. She maintains a small private practice in the Pittsburgh area, where she lives with her husband.
Disclosure: Full-time employee/owner of PRC-Saltillo.
Darlette Navrotski, M.A., CCC-SLP, dedicated 37 years as a regional consultant with PRC-Saltillo, serving Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In this role, she provided education, training, and support to individuals and teams exploring or using AAC devices. A master’s level speech language pathologist with a background in linguistics, Darlette also has experience teaching English as a second language.
Her journey in AAC began during graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, where she worked as a research assistant on a two- year Department of Education grant titled ‘Promoting Communication in Non-speakers.” She later served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, contributing to AAC coursework and mentoring future professionals in the field.
Disclosure: A paid subcontractor for PRC-Saltillo
Session Dates:
