Early AAC (Part 1): What I Wish Our EI Team Had Known About How Toddler AAC Can Help Families Thrive MA2

Monday, May 5, 10:30 am–12:00 pm

This is the first in a two-part presentation about toddler AAC. Three years ago, Cass Griffin Bennett embarked on an unconventional journey starting robust high-tech Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) with her non-speaking autistic toddler. What happened next surprised everyone, Cass included. Come see her family’s “early” AAC journey as shown through family videos and real-time private parent reflections and hear about the biggest effects for not only her daughter but also their family unit as a whole. Attendees will have the opportunity for Q&A.

Presented by

Cass Griffin Bennett
AAC Consultant
Through to Thrive

Cass Griffin Bennett regularly works with Early Supports teams and their families to demystify toddler AAC and increase opportunity and access. Cass is a WA-based peer parent coach at Through to Thrive, an AAC consultant and presenter and a board member of the Northwest Augmentative Communication Society (NWACS). She believes in the power of access to robust communication to change the trajectory of lives and is passionate about empowering families on their AAC journeys. Cass can be reached at cassia.griffin@gmail.com and as admin of the NWACS Family AAC Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/nwacsfamily.

Jo Ristow
Owner, SLP
Chat NW

Jo is a Seattle-based speech language pathologist and owner of Chat NW. She has 12+ years of experience with a specialty in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. She has worked in multiple settings including outpatient therapy, Autism Centers, schools and private practice. Her passion is supporting those who use AAC to connect with the people important to them, advocate for the things that are important to them, and communicate in the environments that are important to them. She presumes potential and strives to provide neurodiversity-affirming supports and education. The work and joy of communication is meant to be shared.

Handouts

Age Group Addressed:
Birth to Age 3, Birth through Age 5, Birth through Age 8, Age 3 through 5

Audience:
All, Parents, Foster Parents, Relative Care Givers, Teachers, Administrators, Home Visitors, Family Resources Coordinators, Interested Professionals, Students, Trainers, Adult Educators, Therapists, Social Worker, Mental Health Professional, Healthcare Staff

Core Competency Area:
Child Growth, Development and Learning

Skill Level:
Fundamental

Presentation Outcomes:
This is a very practical firsthand account of a family's journey with early robust high-tech AAC, intended to counter AAC myths and demystify what it can look like to start AAC in toddlerhood. The presenter began talking about their family's experience because of the hugely positive impact it had on their family, and the lessons learned can be generalized for many other families.

Learning Objectives:

Name at least three positive impacts of toddler AAC
Identify an AAC implementation strategy critical to positive engagement
Identify at least two reasons why starting robust high-tech AAC in toddlerhood may actually be easier than waiting until later

Early AAC (Part 1): What I Wish Our EI Team Had Known About How Toddler AAC Can Help Families Thrive MA2

Presented by

Handouts

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