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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 client's needs by considering AAC as a viable approach in therapy planning.


"This course was so powerful. The presenter is so passionate about AAC. It really helped light a fire under me." – S.G., prior course participant

Read more comments about this course!

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).

"Lots of practical tools of how to create a supportive AAC environment for students within schools and recognize general barriers for potential use of AAC. I liked the presenter's knowledge and delivery."

– E.C., prior course participant

Read more comments about this course!

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

"I liked the presenter and guest. The implementation of AAC was helpful." N.T. (Nov. 2024)

"Resources were helpful. I liked the topic on Early Intervention." K.T. (Nov. 2024)

"All of the information was beneficial." J.O. (Nov. 2024)

"Beneficial examples and demonstrations seen in real-life situations. I liked the flexibility and completing at my convivence." J.H. (Oct. 2024)

"Great reminder of the topic. Very enthusiastic and engaging teacher." M.C. (Oct. 2024)

"The speaker was very encouraging for SLPs to learn about AAC, and I liked the speaker's passion." C.P. (Oct. 2024)

"Exploring all areas of the client's life to determine the most appropriate system for the age and ability. The presenter exhibited practical knowledge as well as a passion for providing the best device(s) for communication." S.E. (Oct. 2024)

"AAC evaluations and treatment were beneficial to discuss. The presenter was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subject matter." J.C. (Oct. 2024)

"Lots of practical tools of how to create a supportive AAC environment for students within schools and recognize general barriers for potential use of AAC. I liked the presenter's knowledge and delivery." E.C. (Oct. 2024)

"How Modern technology aids in communication, and acceptance of AAC systems were beneficial topics. I enjoyed the flow of delivery and the relevance of how I can apply course to my population." D.L. (Oct. 2024)

"The use of assistive technology for all students. This includes students who are verbal, but may exhibit disabilities in other areas or are hesitant to speak in front of others. I really enjoyed the interview with the parent and her experiences with her son using AAC." L.S. (Sep. 2024)

"Discussing different methods to assess a person for AAC was helpful. I liked the learning objectives." T.J. (Sep. 2024)

"Beneficial discussion on how to evaluate a student for AAC systems as well as client advocacy. The presenter was clearly passionate about her clients as well as teaching other SLPs about this topic." S.B. (Aug. 2024)

"Discussing helping kids to speak even with no or low-tech options was beneficial. This course gave many examples of what to use." K.P. (Aug. 2024)

"Great presenter - kept my attention." T.G. (Aug. 2024)

"The variety of low and high tech was helpful to discuss. I liked the demonstration of pts who use AAC." A.K. (Aug. 2024)

"I love the versatility of the Communication Checklist to ALL areas of clinical practice. I haven't worked with kids in years, but see a huge use of it in the adult/medical practice arenas. Met the DEI requirement, and clearly the speaker is passionate about her field and that is refreshing!" M.C. (Aug. 2024)

"Collaboration with family members was beneficial. I enjoyed the ease of use of this course." D.U. (Jul. 2024)

"I liked the discussion that "AAC is not done in isolation". Very concise, easy to follow course." H.H. (Jul. 2024)

"The discussion that there are all different kinds of children, teens, adults who would benefit from AAC, and that work with AAC needs to start early and it can be either low tech or high tech or a combination of both. You want to use what works best for the client and that is going to be the most beneficial. Discovering that it's not just speech-impaired clients that benefit from AAC. It can be used in a variety of other situations. It is so so important to use to help a client find their voice so that they can functionally communicate." B.L. (Jul. 2024)

"All of the information was beneficial. I liked the course's flexibility." M.M. (Jul. 2024)

"Modeling the AAC was helpful. The course kept my interest." G.L. (Jul. 2024)

"Showing parents how to best learn to communicate with their child. The lecturer gave a lot of information and made it interesting. I thought this was going to be a to-do course. It turned into a what-if and thinking course." C.N. (Jun. 2024)

"It was helpful to discuss the variations in the AAC devices. I liked the passion of the presenter for our position on early intervention and inclusion as SLPs." J.H. (Jun. 2024)

"Use of AAC was beneficial to discuss. I liked the course format." J.H. (Jun. 2024)

"All the content was useful. This course was so powerful. The presenter is so passionate about AAC. It really helped light a fire under me." S.G. (Jun. 2024)

"It was beneficial to discuss integrating parents to practice/participate with AAC." M.K. (Jun. 2024)

"I liked the experience and passion of the presenter." L.D. (Jun. 2024)

"Discussing how AAC devices support and improve communication was beneficial. I enjoyed the examples." L.A. (Jun. 2024)

"I liked the resources offered towards the end of the presentation." J.S. (Jun. 2024)

"Advocacy for students requiring AAC was beneficial. The presenter was so passionate about AAC and the ways in which to assist students in utilizing and practicing their AAC outside of the therapy room environment." T.J. (Jun. 2024)

"Considerations and barriers to address when selecting the right device for the individual. Really good flow to the presentation, and information was conveyed in a manner easy to understand." B.S. (Jun. 2024)

"It was helpful to discuss considering contextual factors when evaluating AAC. The presenter was very knowledgeable and seamlessly presented the content in a manner that was easy to digest." H.M. (Jun. 2024)

"Evaluation and support for AAC was beneficial. I liked the online format." J.A. (May 2024)

"Discussing the specific use of AAC was beneficial. I enjoyed the personalized presentation." M.R. (May 2024)

"The presenter was very dynamic and easy to listen to. The section discussing AAC for adults was helpful." L.H. (May 2024)

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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