MY SPECIALTIES

Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC)

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can provide access to a reliable means of communication when children have difficulty or are unable to use speech for social communication (Beukelman & Light, 2020). AAC refers to all ways that people communicate beyond natural speech, including both unaided and aided AAC. Unaided AAC involves modes of communication that do not require devices outside the body, such as gestures or sign language. Aided AAC refers to the use of external communication tools. Aided AAC can take many different forms and involve a wide variety of technologies, including picture symbols on physical cards, communication boards or books with picture symbols, or speech generating devices (SGDs) (Biggs, Therrien, et. al., 2021).

Speech-Language Evaluations

I use a variety of informal and/or formal speech-language assessments to determine what an individuals strengths and challenges are. This process starts with a thorough parent/caregiver interview to determine the reason for the referral followed by a case history review, then direct assessment of the client's skills.

Language-Literacy Intervention

The strategies that I use for language-literacy intervention depend on the client's areas of need. For clients who primarily have language-based learning challenges, I use current, evidence-based strategies to improve their spelling, writing, morphological awareness, reading fluency and/or reading comprehension. For clients that have complex communication needs (CCN), I determine whether they are emergent or conventional readers and writers, then implement components of comprehensive literacy intervention (Erickson and Koppenhaver, 2020; Erickson, K., 2017).

Family Education and Collaboration

Family education and collaboration with other professionals is an essential component in AAC and speech-language therapy. I work closely with families and other professionals to promote generalization of communication skills from therapy to other people and situations in a client's life.