Course Description
Course Description:
Students will learn how to navigate the AAC assessment process with young children with complex communication needs. An emphasis will be placed on using a multi-step AAC assessment process that includes 1) the use of observational and standardized tools to gather information about the child, environment, communication partners, and opportunity barriers 2) the AAC feature match process, and 3) the AAC funding process. Additionally, students will learn about specific AAC assessment considerations for young children on the autism spectrum.
Audience: Educators, early childhood special educators, developmental educators, speech language pathologists and other related service providers with an earned bachelor’s degree who work with children between 2-8 years of age.
Session Information
In-Person Workshops:
Friday Nov 6, 2026, 8:30am - 3:30pm
Friday November 20, 2026, 8:30am - 3:30pm
Friday December 11, 2026, 8:30am - 3:30pm
Asynchronous activities will be completed between and following in-person workshop days.
Instructors
Amy Starble, M.S., CCC-SLP
Amy Starble, M.S., CCC-SLP
Amy Starble is a Speech Language Pathologist working as an AAC consultant on the ITeam and Early Intervention Project of Vermont at The Center on Disability and Community Inclusion at the University of Vermont. In her role as an AAC Consultant she supports school and early intervention teams across the state of Vermont working with young children with complex communication needs. She also provides training, coaching, and mentoring to SLPs and Early Childhood Special Educators who are interested in implementing AAC in inclusive classroom environments.
Additional Content Area
Course Goals:
Participants will gain knowledge in the following content areas:
1) AAC Assessment Tools: Gain knowledge and experience with various observational and standardized tools used in the AAC process.
2) Environment and Communication Partner Factors: Gain skills in assessing environment factors and communication partner skills that impact the AAC trial.
3) AAC Participation Model: Gain skills in assessing opportunity barriers
4) AAC Feature Match Process: Gain knowledge and skill with the use of a feature match process to determine AAC tools for trial.
5) AAC Assessment Consideration for Children on the Autism Spectrum: Gain skills and knowledge in the unique AAC assessment considerations for children on the Autism Spectrum.