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0.2  ASHA CEUs


Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Means for Equity and Inclusion for Individuals with Communication Disorders #e320


Presenter: Veronica Contreras, MS, CCC-SLP

Utilize AAC to be more inclusive of all our client’s needs by considering AAC as a viable approach in therapy planning.


Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review.

This course is intended to help SLPs better understand what AAC is and to demonstrate ways to implement AAC with individuals with communication disorders from early intervention to geriatrics (ages 0-99.) This presentation will cover ideas to promote diversity and inclusion in the field of speech-language pathology in an effort to create equity for individuals with disabilities.

This course will discuss specific ways in which ASHA’s Framework of Speech Language Pathology and SLPs can utilize AAC to be more inclusive of all our client’s needs by considering AAC as a viable approach in our evaluations and therapy planning. Course content will include discussion of ableism and self-advocacy while being applicable for both pediatric and adult clients. 

Course is offered for 0.2 ASHA CEUs – 2 Contact Hours.

Course Overview – Run Time

Course Overview – Run Time: 2:02:53

  1. Operational definition of AAC.
  2. Terminology discussion: Assistive Technology vs AAC.
  3. Discussion of the spectrum of disabilities that can utilize AAC.
  4. Functional communication, self-advocacy, and self-determination.
  5. AAC to promote neurodiversity and combat ableism.
  6. The importance of interprofessional practice and AAC.
  7. ASHA’s Scope of Practice and AAC.
  8. ASHA’s Framework of Speech Language Pathology and AAC.
  9. AAC in E.I. and the importance of Aided Language Stimulation.
  10. AAC in the school-age population.
  11. Evaluating for AAC in the schools.
  12. AAC with adult intervention.
  13. Promoting diversity, equity and acceptance for all AAC users.
  14. Examples of goals for AAC users.
  15. Being a culturally competent practitioner:  AAC as a second language- users may experience the same pitfalls of second language speakers (e.g. self-loathing).

Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review.

Content Disclosures

The content of this online CE course does not focus exclusively on any specific proprietary product or service. Presenter financial and non-financial disclosures may be found in the Presenter & Disclosures area.

Course Format

Video PowerPoint presentation with author narration & downloadable handout. Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review.

Reviews

Comments From Prior Course Participants

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Course Objectives

At course conclusion, participants will be able to:

1. Explain what AAC is as well as the nature of the diverse populations that benefit from AAC.

2. Explain how AAC supports the inclusion of all individuals while helping to combat ableism and as a means for success of neurodiverse individuals.

3. Identify and understand ASHA’s Framework of Speech Language Pathology and the implications of AAC for SLPs.

4. Identify ways to implement AAC, including evaluation and intervention strategies across the lifespan and across settings.

5. Discuss specific ways in which SLPs can promote inclusion of AAC users across settings.

Presenter & Disclosures

Veronica Contreras, MS, CCC-SLP

Ronnie Contreras is a dog-lover and boy-mom that spends her free time hiking, lifting weights, playing with her dogs, listening to audiobooks or singing karaoke in the car while driving her sons to their countless extracurricular activities. She received her Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from Texas A & M University and her Masters of Science in Communication Disorders from Texas State University-San Marcos where her love for AAC emerged from her participation in the autism and bilingual cognates with an emphasis in second language acquisition.

Her passion for AAC with the IDD population began at the Nellie Reddix Center, a special school in Northside ISD in San Antonio, Texas where she spent 9 years of her career as an SLP helping students achieve their functional communication goals while training for a future in the community, whether through volunteering or employment. She is currently serving as a program lead for Speech Pathology and Assistive Technology departments in the 4th largest district in Texas where she is focusing her time on spreading awareness of accessibility through technology for students with disabilities.

Her current books involve either leadership or social and emotional wellness. She is proud to be a San Antonian for the city’s commitment to being a premier city for accessibility for the disabled community. She is an advocate for students in special education as they transition to their adult life so that they too may have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers to be contributing members to society.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial — Veronica Contreras is presenter of online CE courses sponsored by Northern Speech Services; receives royalties.

Financial — Veronica Contreras is the Program Lead for Speech Language Pathology and Assistive Technology, Northside ISD, San Antonio, Texas; Receives salary.

Nonfinancial — Veronica Contreras has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Intended Audience / Accreditation

Intended Audience/Accreditation
asha ce approved provider

This program is offered for 0.2 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level; Professional Area).

Intended Audience

  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Early Childhood Specialists

ASHA CEUs: NSS online courses are registered with ASHA and are offered for ASHA CEUs. The number of ASHA CEUs is noted above. Note that 0.1 ASHA CEU = 1 contact hour = equals 1 CEE.

ASHA CE Registry: During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.

ASHA CEUs: Attendees must meet at least one of the following conditions in order to be eligible to earn ASHA CEUs:

  • Current ASHA Member.
  • ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) Holder.
  • Licensed by a state or provincial regulatory agency to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology.
  • Credentialed by a state regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology.
  • Credentialed by a national regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology.
  • Engaged in a Clinical Fellowship under the supervision of an individual with their ASHA CCC.
  • Currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program in SLP or audiology.

If an attendee is not an ASHA member or CCC holder but meets any of the above criteria, they may inform the ASHA CE Registry of their eligibility by visiting this site.

Licensing Boards: Most state licensing boards DO accept CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some state boards do, however, place a limit to the number of credits that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any credit limits related to home-study courses prior to registering for this course.

Additional accrediting agencies by which Northern Speech is an approved CE provider:

  • California: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board. Provider #PDP4. Online CEU limits may apply; please contact SLPAHADB for current online CEU acceptance policies.
  • Iowa: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Iowa Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners. Provider #169.
  • Kansas: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Provider #LTS-S0005.
  • Florida: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board. Provider #SPA-026.
  • New Jersey: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the New Jersey Department of Education. Provider #1654.

Frequently Asked Questions



Online Course FAQ — Click Here

Customer Support: Please phone 888.337.3866 or email info@northernspeech.com.

Course Completion Timeframe:

You have unlimited time to complete our online courses. You may log off and log on as often as you’d like to in order to complete all sections of a course.

However, completion dates are based on Eastern Standard Time. Therefore, if you need your CEUs by a certain date, be sure to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on that date. For example, if you need CEUs before January 1st, you will need to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on December 31st.

Content Access:

Access to course materials and content does not expire, even after completing the post test. You may continue to review course material by logging into your NSS account, clicking the My Online Courses tab, and then viewing your desired course.

Certificate of Completion:

On successful completion of the post test (80%), a certificate will be immediately available for download and/or printing. This certificate will include your name, date of completion (based on Eastern Time Zone, USA/Canada), and number of contact hours (CEUs / CEEs). Please note that CEUs are awarded on the date of successful test completion, not the date of course enrollment. Please ensure that you successfully complete the post test prior to any licensure renewal dates.

ASHA CE Registry Submission:

During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.

Purchase Orders:

Purchase orders are currently not accepted for online orders, if you wish to submit a purchase order please do so at info@northernspeech.com or fax to 888-696-9655.

What is an Online Course?

Our Online Courses consist of video, audio, and/or text content and are offered for ASHA CEUs. Unlike a webinar, which requires participants to be logged on and at a computer at specific times, our Online Courses are available to you at any time, from any device, via your NorthernSpeech.com online account. You may work at your own pace and start and stop your course as you wish. Your course will conclude with a short post test. On successful completion of the post test (>80%), a printable certificate of completion is presented to you.

Receiving CEUs:

Northern Speech is an ASHA CE Provider and our online courses are registered with ASHA and offered for ASHA CEUs. Please note that successful completion of the online post test is required prior to the awarding of CEUs. Please contact your state licensing board for acceptance policies related to CEUs earned online. Please note that courses offered for university students are not applicable for CEUs.

Registering for an online course:

You may browse all online courses by clicking the Continuing Education tab above, then Online Courses. Once you find a course, click Enroll Now, and you will be asked to either log into your existing Northern Speech account or create a new online account. Once you’ve entered your account information and provided your credit card payment, your course will be immediately available to you.

Accessing your purchased course or returning to a purchased course:

You will be able to access your online course by logging into your Northern Speech account and then clicking the My Online Courses tab on your profile screen. Click the course you would like to start or to resume. From there, proceed through the course sections until you are ready to complete the post test. You do not have to complete your course all at once. You may log on and off as you wish.

Testing requirements:

Each online course concludes with a post test consisting of multiple choice or true & false questions. Scores of 80% or greater are required for successful course completion and awarding of CEUs. You may revisit course materials and retest as needed to achieve a passing score.

Number of CEUs offered:

We offer courses from 1 to 21 contact hours. Each course will note the number of CEUs offered. Please note that 0.1 CEU = 1 contact hour = 1 CEE.

State licensing boards and online CEUs:

NSS is an ASHA CE Provider and most state licensing boards DO accept ASHA CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some boards do, however, place a limit to the number of CEUs that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any CEU limits related to home-study courses prior to enrolling in an online course.

Course formats:

Our course formats include: text, audio, video, and PowerPoint with author narration. Each course will note the format on the course description page. Most courses include closed captioning.

Course handouts:

Most of our online courses provide a link to download the accompanying handout as a PDF file. 

Group discounts:

Groups of 3 or more are eligible for a 20% discount on each registration on most of our online courses. To receive this discount, registrations need to be processed together via the "Group Rates" tab on the Online Course of your choice.

Computer requirements:

For our online courses to function best, we recommend that you update your computer to include the newest version of your Internet browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, etc.) and newest version of your computer's operating system. Also a high-speed Internet connection is recommended (cable or DSL). Speakers or headphones will be required for many of our courses as many contain audio components.

Course Cancellation Policy:

A purchased online course can be exchanged, refunded, or transferred to another individual if contact is made with NSS (via phone or email) within 30 days of purchase and the course materials have not been viewed or downloaded. 

Special Needs:

Please click here for any special needs requests, and we will do our best to accommodate them. 

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