This session will be covering high tech Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices. We will dive into my “go-to” devices, resources, and strategies, as well as the “game-changing” considerations for success such as access to loaner devices for Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs), understanding the role language processing plays on device use, and identifying sources of motivation.

Often SLPs recommend one system or device for all clients because it's either the only one they are comfortable with or feel that it is the only one they have access to in their experience and/or setting. I want to educate on how to gain easy access to devices and language apps, and how this experience will level-up their therapy. SLPs accessing loaner AAC devices for themselves is crucial for their own learning and increasing comfort level with a variety of systems, which will therefore lead to more appropriate system selection for each individual client and their needs.There are many resources, app partner programs, and loan libraries out there that are being underutilized simply because therapists don't know about them. My hope is that SLPs can walk away from this presentation feeling empowered with this new knowledge of resources that are available to them, as well as practical, easy-to-understand strategies that they can begin implementing immediately.