Augmenting communication interactions for
 early communicators of all ages

AGOSCI proudly presents
The Day 1 workshop of the
2023 National Tour 

with

international guest presenter
Dr Cynthia Cress

Workshop Overview

It can be difficult to plan Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) interventions for early communication interactions. Switches or symbols can be introduced into interactions for the earliest communicators, if they are used in ways that support and enhance the child’s or adult’s existing interaction strategies.

This 1-day workshop will present a variety of strategies for assessing and facilitating alternative and augmented communication in children and adults, from partner-based strategies to symbolic skills. This will include specific strategies for getting past situations where we may feel stuck or experience unexpected difficulties in meeting communication goals of early communicators and their partners.

The focus will be on multimodal interaction and meeting the communicative goals of the communicator and partner, rather than on matching specific modalities to people or purposes. Participants will apply information from the handouts and presentation to live demonstrations and videotaped samples of communication in a variety of children and adults with diverse communication needs.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify common sources of difficulty for AAC intervention with early communicators
  
  
• Assess communication addressing a variety of functions, even among very early communicators
  
  
• Plan communication goals in small and achievable steps for early communicators
  
  
• Identify complications introduced for individuals who rely on AAC and their partners that differ from individuals who are primarily vocal communicators
  
  
• Apply intervention strategies for planned early communication and symbolic goals including multiple behavioral and augmented modes

Workshop Details

• This is a 1-day, in-person workshop. A recording will not be available.
  
  
• The AGOSCI 2023 National Tour offers two full-day workshops in your capital city. Each workshop is independent of the other, and can be attended in isolation as a 1-day event. 
  
  
• Discounts are available for those who wish to attend both days. If this is of interest to you, visit the combined Days 1 and 2 workshop registration page here. 
  
  
• This workshop is fully catered with morning tea, lunch, and afternoon. Please ensure any special dietary requirements are listed in your registration.

Presenter

Cynthia J. Cress, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA

Dr. Cynthia Cress is an associate professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, specializing in language, AAC across the lifespan, and early intervention. She has provided workshops all over the USA and internationally helping professionals provide communication services to some of the more puzzling people on our caseloads –early communicators of all ages, autistic communicators, and children with a variety of diverse communication needs.

Dr. Cress researches patterns of communication in infants/toddlers with diverse communication needs, and has provided clinical service for children and adults who rely on AAC for 30 years. Her research has been to develop new communication assessment tools to screen and assess communication in very early communicators of all ages, including children and adults.

Cynthia brings a wealth of clinical as well as theoretical experience to her workshops about services for early communicators, and she loves to be interrupted with practical questions that help you provide better service tomorrow - like, “But I have a child who…”

Cancellation Policy

Registration is only confirmed upon full payment of fee. To access the discounted rate for members you must be logged into your AGOSCI member account prior to registration. 

Please note* all registrations incur a 3.5% paypal fee that can't be refunded

• 96.5% refund until 60 days before event.
• 46.5% refund between 8-59 days before event. 
• No refunds within 0-7 days of event start date.

Applications for registrations are subject to final approval by AGOSCI to ensure fair and equal access to events across organisations. Waitlist registrations will be taken upon all positions being filled.

COVID Safety

If you are experiencing any cold/flu symptoms or don't feel well on the day, please support the safety of others by staying at home and not attending the workshop in person. 

If you are isolating due to COVID, please contact AGOSCI to discuss options for your registration which can include a partial refund, or transfer of registration to the LIVE online workshop dates. Email education@agosci.org.au to discuss further.

Disclosure 

The information presented by Cynthia during the National Tour workshops represents the culmination of her expertise in both clinical and academic fields relating to AAC.

AGOSCI is an independent body. Information presented during the 2023 National Tour by Cynthia represents her own views, which may or may not align with AGOSCI's policies and philosophies. 

AGOSCI acknowledges the presence and contributions of all expertise and contributors to the Australian and international fields of communication diversity.

This workshop is proudly brought to you by AGOSCI