Home Training Conferences AAC Talks 2025 AAC Talks 2025—AAC Without Limits: Voices, Stories, and Possibilities Session 2B - Navigating Transitions: Ensuring Student Success
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Session 2B - Navigating Transitions: Ensuring Student Success

Speakers: Rachael Smolen and Kathryn Helland

Session Description:
Students with disabilities encounter numerous transitions throughout their educational journeys, ranging from significant milestones to everyday changes. These transitions include major milestones like moving between school levels (e.g., Preschool through post-secondary) to daily shifts between home and school. For AAC users, these changes can be particularly challenging as they leave behind teams familiar with their communication needs. Critical knowledge may not always transfer effectively, leading new teams to make assumptions about their abilities. This session will explore strategies to bridge this gap, facilitating a smoother transition process for the student, their family, and the new team members.

Objectives:
  • Describe how an autobiography helps the new team to see the whole student
  • Explain the importance of creating a transition social story
  • List five items that should be included in a Communication Passport
Presenter Rachael Smolen smilingSpeaker Bios:
Rachael Smolen, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist currently working as a full-time augmentative and alternative communication specialist on the assistive technology team for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She earned an assistive technology graduate certificate from George Mason University. Between her 11 years with the Bucks County IU and 14 years spent as a practicing clinician in Arlington County Public Schools, Virginia, she has a total of 25 years of working experience. Rachael has presented at numerous speaking engagements, including local, regional, and national platforms.

Presenter Kathyrn Helland smilingKathryn Helland, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in AAC. Kathryn works at the Bucks IU as a full-time augmentative and alternative communication specialist on the assistive technology team for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She is also an adjunct professor at Temple University. Kathryn has worked in multiple settings with AAC users throughout their lifespan. She is currently engaged in doctoral research into the use of AAC in post-secondary education. She has 20 years of work experience and has just begun exploring the world of 3D printing