Home Training Conferences AAC Talks AAC Talks 2023 - AAC Unleashed: Empowering Diverse Communicators Session 2A - Teaming Unleashed: Empowering Communication Partners to Support AAC Users
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Session 2A - Teaming Unleashed: Empowering Communication Partners to Support AAC Users

Speaker: Elisa Wern
 
Session Description:
Every person that an AAC user interacts with during their day is a communication partner, whether they know it or not. Many aren't sure of their role or how best to support communication in their roles. Come gather ideas on how to empower partners to support all forms of communication. Whether you are a parent, educator, occupational therapist, SLP, other related service providers, sibling, or friend; you can support communication. Better yet you can have fun doing it, as interaction and communication should be engaging and enjoyable!
 
Objectives:
  • Define and demonstrate the elements of effective collaboration and teaming.
  • Discuss at least 3 communication strategies supported by research-based best practices.
  • Identify practice frameworks and guidance documents from organizations related to supporting communication in the schools.
  • Integrate templates and frameworks to initiate and provide ongoing support for AAC users.
Speaker Bio:
Elisa WernElisa Wern, M.Ed., OTR/L, ATP, is an Occupational Therapist, with a Master’s degree in Special Education, and RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) with over 20 years of experience in pediatric therapy and assistive technology. She provides professional development workshops throughout the United States about a variety of topics around literacy, universal design, related services, AAC, and assistive technology. She is the Local Assistive Technology Specialist for Alachua County Schools in Gainesville, Florida, where she coordinates AT services for the district, and serves as the Lead Occupational Therapist. In her spare work time she has a private practice, AT & OT Consulting and Coaching, supporting students and families primarily through teletherapy evaluations, consultations, and interventions.