Session 3A - The Power of Language Sample Collection and Analysis in AAC: Anyone Can Do It! (Part 2)

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 2 details the step-by-step process for collecting and then analyzing a language sample.  Specific information is provided on looking at samples related to the following: (1) the reasons the student is communicating; (2) the vocabulary used by the student; (3) the grammatical skills of the student; and (4) the student’s interaction with communication partners.  Specific examples and group activities will be conducted using a case study of an elementary student who uses a speech-generating device.  Participants will be encouraged to suggest educational and/or speech-language therapy goals based on information from the language samples provided.

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.