Wanted: AAC CEUs

As this is the final week for students in my district, I am trying to start planning for the next year with an eye towards summer CEU opportunities. One of the best and worst things about this field is the huge range of areas we can treat. Everyone has certain areas that they enjoy more than others. However, it is not easy to be picky when you are a school-based SLP. There's no telling what you will run across during the school year. We have to be jack-of-all trades and it's a daunting task. I have found that it is easier to focus on one area each year and look for additional topics as they pop up on my caseload. Initially, I focused on learning the paperwork and how to serve bilingual students. The past two years have been driven more towards literacy and social skills. These are all pretty big topics in the field as a whole and are things that my district has also tried to address with teachers.

This summer, I have decided to take a break from those things as it gets to be an information overload. It's time to do something different that can eventually be tied back. Something that will get me out of my comfort zone. So....I am going to focus on AAC. It is something that I have wanted to learn more about, but have always put on the back burner to focus on areas that were an immediate need.

Free:

• Angelman Syndrome Foundation Communication Training Webinar Series- This is an incredibly informative year-long series. The webinars build upon each other. You can pick just a few or take the entire series. I've just recently started this series and am planning to watch the entire program.
• AAC Institute- Free Webinars- The first four webinars are free and are introductory level. They also offer additional paid webinars.
• Tobii Dynavox- Free Webinars- This is a great resource, particularly if you use Boardmaker or want to learn more about Dynavox devices.
• AbleNet University- I cannot wait to start taking their webinars.
• Lingraphica- Free Online Webinars- These are more geared towards adults.

Paid:

• Northern Speech Services- Selecting and Implementing AAC Systems for Young Children- I haven't taken this course, but I like that it includes both low and high tech options. It is also pretty affordable at $59.00.
• ASHA- A Roadmap to Integrating AAC into the Classroom- I like that this course focuses on classroom success. It is more expensive at $99.
• Assistive Technology Industry Association- They have various webinars and a yearly conference.
• Medbridge- 3 Part AAC Webinar- I have taken these courses as I purchased this subscription for their fluency courses. I really enjoy their courses but the subscription fee is rather high. Look on their facebook page to see when they are running a half price sale.

In Person Workshops:

• LAMP
• PECS
• Texas Assistive Technology Network- This looks like a great conference. I wish it was closer!
• NC Augmentative Communication Association Yearly Conference.
• South Carolina Assistive Technology Program

Other Resources:

• Accessible Technology Coalition