#TalkingAAC 2025

This session focuses on the various types of AAC we see used in our buildings. Currently, many of these devices are only used for a single individual and that leads to a focus on that individual standing out from others. We look at ways to take these devices and bring them into alignment with all environments, supporting both the individuals who need them as well as others who may come in contact with these devices. In order to create levels of inclusivity in all aspects of education and the workplace, we need to be able to introduce devices in ways the demystify them as well as supporting those individuals in ways beyond just communicating, helping them from a mental health standing as well.
Presenter: Dr. Ray Heipp
Vendor: School Health Corporation

Want beautiful, engaging, and evidence based materials that go with your favorite picture books to support comprehensive literacy instruction but don’t have time to make them? LessonPix has got time-crunched educators, parents and therapists covered with their In a Story resources. In a Story has ready-made resources aligned with the principles of Comprehensive Literacy for All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write (Erickson and Koppenhaver, 2020) for over 70 beloved children’s picture books. The session will detail how to use these resources as a part of comprehensive literacy instruction. All participants will be given a 2 month free trial for LessonPix so that they can explore, download and make their very own instructional materials. Participants will have the opportunity to make a custom resource during the session.
Presenter: Beth Poss
Vendor: LessonPix

We often talk about the various competencies we should support in AAC. Many are aware of linguistic, operational, social, and strategic competencies (Light, 1989). A fifth competence, emotional competence, was proposed by Blackstone and Wilkins in 2009. While social and emotional competency is often supported and developed with speaking children, it is less likely to be thoroughly supported with persons who use AAC (Blackstone and Wilkins, 2009).  

Emotional competency includes an awareness and understanding of emotions. This competency includes empathy, coping, self-regulation, societal norms, sensory regulation, expression of feelings, and cause and effect of actions. Blackstone and Wilkins claim “Emotional competencies are intricately related to pragmatics, social communication, and communication with one’s self” (2009). This would suggest communication is the crux of healthy emotional development.

The importance of emotional competency within AAC is further highlighted when we consider the mental health statistics of those with communication disorders. The National Alliance on Mental Illness notes that in 2020, 21% of US adults and 16.5% of US youth aged 6-17 have experienced mental health issues (NAMI.org, 2022). Recent research indicates that the rate of mental health issues is much higher among those with complex communication needs (Watson, Reghavendra, & Crocker, 2021). Therefore, people using AAC should have access to and understand how and when to use language to discuss their mental health and wellness thus developing their emotional competency.

Grid 3 communication software offers access to mental health, wellness, and socially connective vocabulary and strategies. We will tour vocabulary and grid sets available and highlight emotional competency tools that have been specifically oriented within the software to more fully allow the AAC user opportunities to discuss and tend to their emotional competency. We will discuss how similar tools could be integrated into other software.

In this presentation, we work to summarize and explore vocabulary, tools, and best practices in increasing an AAC user’s advocacy and emotional competence.  We examine the research and pitfalls for those who support AAC users while highlighting the importance of this critical competency that tends to be the missing piece. We delve into moving beyond labeling emotions, to discussing emotional situations, talking about others’ emotions, developing an inner voice, and supporting advocacy and self-regulation skills.
Presenter: Abigail Warner, MA, CCC-SLP 
Vendor: Talk to Me Technologies and Smartbox