AGOSCI National Tour 2024
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Developing Communication, Learning and Access Skills for Children Who Face Severe Physical and Multiple Challenges
(2 Day Course)
AGOSCI proudly presents
the 2-Day workshop of the
2024 National Tour
with
international guest presenter
Linda Burkhart
Workshop Overview
Are you working or living with children who face severe physical and multiple challenges in addition to communication support needs, such as Cerebral Palsy, Rett Syndrome or Traumatic Brain Injury? Do you find them struggling to juggle the challenges of motor coordination, sensory processing, communication, language, vision and cognition needed to effectively communicate what they are thinking and to access education? Many children in this group find it challenging to effectively use their hands to directly operate communication devices or access computers. In addition, some of these children face added complexity in this process due to cerebral/cortical visual impairment (CVI).
During this two-day presentation, we will examine how the brain processes new information and acquires knowledge. We will explore the innate motivational drives that can be leveraged to enhance engagement and foster internal motivation in the classroom. Come learn how to determine priorities among all the numerous challenges, and how to address the individual’s many varying needs in parallel. How does CVI impact our decisions regarding the design and presentation of educational materials, teaching literacy, and communication systems?
We will investigate the subtle but significant strategies for teaching partner-assisted scanning as a non-electronic means of accessing educational materials and communication systems such as PODD. The ‘Stepping Stones to Switch Access’ process (Burkhart) will be shared with the focus on practical strategies and customizable electronic tools.
Learning Outcomes
Presenter
Linda J Burkhart Technology, Communication. and Education Integration Specialist
Linda Burkhart is an internationally known teacher and leader in the field of assistive technology, adaptive play, and augmentative communication for children who face severe challenges with more than 50 years experience in this field. She has developed numerous adapted equipment and innovative strategies for using these devices with children. She is the author of a number of books and software titles on topics of assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication.
Linda worked as a special education classroom teacher in Prince George’s County, Maryland for fifteen years. For eight years, she worked as an Augmentative Communication and Assistive Technology Specialist for the Center for Technology in Education – a joint project between the Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland State Department of Education. Her more than fifty years of experience has focused on working with children who have significant challenges including physical challenges, sensory-motor challenges, multiple challenges, cortical visual impairment, autism, learning challenges, cognitive challenges and complex communication needs.
Currently, Linda works as a private consultant, specializing in children who face the most severe challenges and works directly with children, families and teams. She continues to present workshops and trainings nationally and internationally.
Workshop dates and details - COMING VERY SOON!
We are offering an online workshop for those in regional/remote areas or who cannot attend an in-person workshop. This workshop will run LIVE via zoom at the end of the National Tour, over 3 x half-day online sessions.
