Session 2A - The Power of Language Sample Collection and Analysis in AAC: Anyone Can Do It! (Part 1)

Speaker: Gail M Van Tatenhove

Session Description:
In the POWER: AAC training series by PaTTAN,  Module 11 provides guidelines, resources, and some starting points for collecting data on students’ progress in their use of their personal AAC systems.  Language sample collection and analysis (LSCA)  is briefly mentioned as one strategy for collecting data to measure student progress. This two-part session expands on this process of LSCA. Part 1 briefly reviews the process of LSCA, followed by a discussion of the benefits of LSCA, with examples and activities designed to help participants look at language samples for a variety of variables. For example, teachers will be encouraged to review samples for what it tells them about the student’s learning skills; while occupational and physical therapists will be encouraged to look at samples relative to operational skills, such as access rate and accuracy.  The session includes guidelines for the ethical practice of LSCA in a school setting.

Speaker Bio: 
Gail M Van Tatenhove, PA, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with more than 40 years of experience working with children and adults who use AAC systems.  She has presented extensively on topics related to language development, core vocabulary, and AAC intervention strategies.  In 2016, Gail was named an ASHA Fellow for her contributions to the field of speech-language pathology.