AAC therapy for non-verbal children with ASD - What works for whom and why?

AAC therapy for non-verbal children with Autism - What works for whom and why?

Webinar Overview

Each child with ASD presents with a unique constellation of strengths and needs, resulting in substantial heterogeneity and variability in response to therapy. Thus, there is a need to tailor AAC to meet the individual needs and skills of the AAC user. However, research evidence is scant on what components of AAC therapy are most effective, for whom, and under what conditions. This paucity of research makes evidence-based decisions challenging. There is a need for a deeper understanding of the active ingredients that drive effective AAC interventions to inform clinicians.

The focus of this webinar is on improving AAC outcomes for children with ASD who are minimally verbal — the emerging research on factors that predict, moderate, and mediate AAC outcomes. Exploring factors under these terms is an important step to making evidence-based decisions on individualizing AAC interventions to a specific subgroup of children with ASD who are minimally verbal. Topics to be discussed include a review of ASD communication development,  AAC terminology, barriers to AAC evidence based practice, summary of research on factors that explain variability and clinical implications. Discussion is encouraged through out the webinar on how can clinicians integrate emerging research into their clinical rational and contribute their insights or questions.

Presenter

Dr. Stephi Sievers 

Dr. Stephi Sievers is a board certified ASHA speech-language pathologist (SLPA) and behavioral therapist with over 10 years of experience. Starting out in Seattle as an SLP-A and behavioral therapist she now works as a clinical consultant for NGOs and private clinics in Brisbane Australia. Earlier this year Dr. Stephi completed her Ph.D. and is excited for her post PhD ventures.

Stephi’s research is focused on improving spoken language outcomes for children with ASD by exploring the underlying mechanisms that drive effective AAC therapy by highlighting factors that predict, moderate, and mediate AAC outcomes. She has five peer reviewed articles, two as first author. While her PhD research focused on spoken language outcomes she is passionate about improving early intervention to support all modes of communication to increased.

Webinar Details

This is a LIVE 60 minute webinar, free for AGOSCI members to access.

A recording will be available to AGOSCI members afterwards.