Name: Enhancing AAC Intervention Through Music: A Music Therapist’s Approach for SLPs
Start: 2026-11-06T08:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-06T09:45:00-0500

Act now! We reach capacity and sell out every year. Registration closes Wednesday, October 28, 2026 — or sooner if capacity is reached.

Ticket Options

#TalkingAAC: Pre-Conference Workshop
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 PM
Kellogg Center, East Lansing, MI
- Choose one 4-hour workshop
- Cost: $100
- Full details click here
#TalkingAAC: Two-Day Conference
Thursday & Friday, November 5-6, 2026
- Build your schedule for this two-day event
- Cost: $300
- Price includes breakfast, lunch, & parking
- Full details click here

NOTE: To attend all 3 days, you must purchase both a Pre-Conference Workshop ticket and a Two-Day Conference ticket.

Registration & Session Planning

All registration and session planning will be handled via Sched:

Click the green Log In or Sign Up button below to access Sched.
Then proceed to purchase your ticket(s).
After you’ve purchased your ticket(s), you can plan which sessions you’d like to attend.
New to using the Sched app? To take a tour click here
Need to update your app to this year’s conference? In the Sched app, go to My Account > Change Events> type in the name of the event #TalkingAAC 2026
A new Guest Buyer option lets you purchase tickets for others without creating a SCHED account. Once ticket(s) are selected, choose Continue as Guest.

Ticket Purchase - Error Message

If you receive an error message when purchasing your ticket, please contact TalkingAAC at [email protected] or 517-299-5200 for assistance.

⚠️ Please do not attempt to purchase again, as this may result in duplicate tickets.

Refunds & Ticket Transfers

Refunds available up to 10 days before the event. Sched & Stripe fees are non-refundable.
Ticket transfers (e.g., to a coworker) may be approved before October 28, 2026.

Stay Informed

Watch for updates from #TalkingAAC and Sched with session details and reminders as the event approaches.

Questions?

www.talkingaac.org

[email protected]

517-299-5200

Enhancing AAC Intervention Through Music: A Music Therapist’s Approach for SLPs

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

AAC devices are only as effective as the environments in which they are used. While SLPs lead AAC implementation, communication does not happen in isolation—and some powerful opportunities for language learning are happening in music therapy sessions! This session highlights how to harness those moments to support communication.

Despite increased access to AAC systems, many individuals still lack consistent, meaningful opportunities to use them across environments. Music therapy sessions naturally incorporate rhythm, repetition, predictability, and high levels of engagement; elements that align closely with principles of language development and AAC best practice. However, these opportunities are often underutilized or not translated into other therapeutic contexts.

This presentation will demonstrate how AAC is actively used within music therapy sessions to support communication development. Through video examples, participants will observe how aided language modeling, core vocabulary, and communication opportunities are embedded into musical experiences in functional and meaningful ways.

The primary focus of the session is on practical application. Participants will learn specific, transferable strategies that can be used beyond music therapy, including:

Using familiar songs to target core vocabulary
Structuring predictable routines to support participation and initiation
Embedding AAC into highly motivating activities
Increasing opportunities for modeling and communicative attempts

These strategies are designed to be immediately applicable within speech-language therapy sessions, regardless of musical background. No prior musical experience is required, and strategies will be presented in a way that is accessible and achievable for all clinicians.

In addition, the session will address how SLPs and music therapists can collaborate

Presenters

Shelley Anderson, MT-BC

Assistive Technology Specialist and Music Therapist, Notes 2 live By LLC

Shelley Anderson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist who specializes in AAC and assistive technology. She works with individuals on Indiana’s Medicaid waiver, founding the state’s only waiver-funded AAC parent training program to empower families as confident communication partners... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST
Lincoln

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#TalkingAAC 2026

Shelley Anderson, MT-BC

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