Is your learner ready to transition to a Speech Generating Device? Do you need help selecting a device and/or preparing your learner for the transition? This training will help get your questions answered!
With the current influx of communication devices and apps to the market how do we ensure that basic functional communication skills are maintained and taught right from the beginning? Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) were first introduced for people with motor difficulties like cerebral palsy and now these devices are being introduced to our learners with autism and other related communication difficulties. For these populations, language and cognition are often compromised and basic social and communication skills have not always been mastered prior to the introduction of a device. Because of this, the way we teach the use of SGDs needs to be specifically tailored to fit the needs of each individual paying attention to devices capabilities vs. user capabilities.
This full-day workshop will describe procedures for analysing a learner's current PECS skills to determine candidacy for transitioning to a Speech Generating Device (SGD), choosing a device, and teaching functional use of the device, and why we must teach the basic principles of communication to our learner first to ensure positive outcomes are achieved.
*Participants should bring a Speech Generating Device (SGD) to the training for use during a variety of activities.
Topics Covered include
- Review of the PECS Protocol
- The unique challenges of learners with complex communication needs
- Procedures for analysing current PECS skills
- Determining candidacy for transitioning from PECS to a Speech Generating Device
- The 5 criteria for appropriate device selection
- Preparing the learner for the transition
- Using elements of the PECS protocol to teach functional SGD use
- Problem solving SGD use
Agenda: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Registration Time: 8:15 AM
CEUs: 5.5 CEUs
Tuition Includes: Detailed Handouts with space for note taking, PECS Language Sample and Summary Forms, Certificate of Attendance, CEUs are available