#TalkingAAC 2026: Full Schedule

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

9:45am EST

Designing Flexible and Differentiated PL Experiences With Stepping Into AAC

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

Designing meaningful professional learning opportunities for AAC can be intimidating and overwhelming. There’s so much to cover, and it is all important!

Stepping Into AAC is a compilation of 20-weeks of FREE resources to guide families through learning about and becoming informed members of their learner's team. It includes AACtion steps, videos, newsletters, and supplemental print materials for the journey. However, Stepping Into AAC resources can be utilized in customized ways to support the AAC learning journey of teams and professionals, while taking into account time constraints, attrition, and the varying needs of team members.

This session will begin by providing an overview of the content and organization of Stepping Into AAC materials, as well as a framework for using Stepping Into AAC print and video materials to help teachers, clinicians, and paraeducators strengthen their AAC practices. Participants will be introduced to examples of differentiated learning paths, as well as supplemental resources for rich and engaging PL planning, such as action and reflection activities, AAC practice, and story vignettes. Additionally, an AAC Topic Map that aligns AAC implementation topics with specific Stepping Into AAC content, will be shared making it easier to identify and use materials to meet specific needs of teams and audiences.

Stepping Into AAC considers five elements of communication partner learning: technology, knowledge, skills, habits, and community. Each sample learning path includes materials that address each of these 5 elements. Learning paths build on one another in an alternative to the 20-week format that allows for flexibility and responsiveness of AAC PL in environments that must balance frequent staff changes, with meaningful ongoing learning opportunities for seasoned team members. Participants will have the opportunity to explore PL planning resources and action plan around supporting their school or team.

Presenters

Michaela Ball, M.S., CCC-SLP

AT/AAC Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Michaela Ball is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) who works to support teachers and SLPs in the Canyons School District in Sandy, Utah and serves on the district’s Utah Assistive Technology Team. She began her journey working in film as a production sound recordist and now uses... Read More →

Tabi Jones-Wohleber

SLP, Communication AACtualized, LLC

Tabi Jones-Wohleber currently works as an AAC-focused SLP supporting families through the WV Birth to Three program. She previously worked as a school-based Assistive Technology Team leader for 17 years. Tabi created the widely shared Model as a MASTER PAL training series, and has authored chapters on AAC implementations in various texts. Tabi has worked with Angelman Syndrome family organizations in multiple countries, and presents on AAC-related topics at local, state, national, and international conferences... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Lincoln

General Session

9:45am EST

From Babble to Buttons: Early AAC in Action

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how a systems-level approach to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) builds capacity across children, families, and professionals while creating sustainable pathways for long-term communication success.

Grounded in early intervention practice, this session will outline how AAC can be meaningfully introduced during the birth to three years, even for our youngest and most complex communicators. Presenters will share practical strategies for embedding AAC into daily routines, supporting communicative intent (e.g., requesting, commenting, and social interaction), and coaching caregivers to confidently model and respond using AAC systems. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the Primary Service Provider (PSP) model in building family competence and ensuring AAC is not a “special activity,” but a natural part of everyday life.

Participants will also learn how our team builds internal capacity through ongoing coaching, collaborative problem-solving, and access to an AAC lending library. The lending library process will be outlined as a key mechanism for trialing tools, reducing barriers to access, and informing data-driven decision making for funding. In addition, we will discuss how partnerships with AAC companies enhance team knowledge, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and support successful device implementation.

A critical component of this work is ensuring smooth transitions from early intervention to preschool. This session will provide actionable strategies for preparing teams, aligning communication systems, and advocating for continuity of AAC supports across settings.

This topic is highly relevant for SLPs, educators, early interventionists, administrators, AAC consultants, and families. Attendees will leave with replicable systems, practical tools, and a clear vision for how to move from early vocalizations to robust communication systems—ensuring that every child has access to a voice, from babble to buttons.

Presenters

Heather Giguere, MA, CCC-SLP

Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologist, Lapeer County ISD

Heather Giguere, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist with Lapeer ISD, where she has dedicated the past 25 years to supporting children with complex communication needs. During the first decade of her career, she worked in center-based programs serving students with the most significant needs, specializing in supporting complex communicators.For the past... Read More →

Sara Androyna, MS, OTRL

AAC/AT Implementation Coach and Occupational Therapist, Lapeer County ISD

Sara Androyna, MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist and Assistive Technology/Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AT/AAC) implementation coach with Lapeer Intermediate School District, where she has supported students and educational teams since 2013. She brings over a decade... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Auditorium

General Session

9:45am EST

From Myths to Meaningful Practice: Foundations for Effective AAC Intervention for Young Children With Developmental Disabilities

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Early intervention with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is critical for supporting language, communication, and social development for young children with developmental disabilities who have limited speech. For young children, AAC intervention is most effective when it is embedded within active, playful learning in meaningful, natural settings and with the people who matter most— such as parents and other family members, educators, and peers. Yet, myths and misconceptions about AAC often delay or limit access to effective communication support.

This breakout session will provide a foundation for AAC intervention for young children with developmental disabilities. Through real-world examples and video models, attendees will learn how to use AAC to support social communication and language development for young children, not as a “last resort” but as a foundation for learning and connection. The session will include: (1) identifying and challenging common myths and misconceptions about AAC that inadvertently limit access to effective support, (2) describing key principles of evidence-based AAC intervention for young children, particularly a focus on teaching communication skills within natural, meaningful contexts that matter to children, and (3) teaching evidence-based intervention strategies for play-based AAC intervention.

Evidence for this presentation comes from decades of AAC research with young children with developmental disabilities and their educators and families, including extensive work conducted by the presenter and her research team. We will take a deep dive into learning how active, playful learning experiences are powerful drivers of communication and language development, particularly for young children with disabilities. Whether new to AAC or more experienced, attendees will leave with tools to challenge common myths, implement AAC effectively with young children, and collaborate with other educators and family members.

Presenters

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Dr. Elizabeth Biggs is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, and speaker with over 15 years of experience working with children and youth with disabilities who use or would benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). An Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Big Ten C

General Session

9:45am EST

Putting AAC Into Action in Inclusive Classrooms

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

Currently, in Michigan, receiving a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is an area focus and considered a key principle of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As more and more students with extensive support and complex communication needs are receiving services and attending programs in general education buildings, educators in these buildings (i.e., Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and School Social Workers) are tasked with finding ways to support the emerging communicators in their classrooms and on their caseloads, often without additional time or training to support the needs of these learners. According to ASHA, 2018, more than 60% of school-based SLPs report regularly serving students who need Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). While the “why” of the shift to the least restrictive environment is important, educators are in need of evidenced-based strategies to support their students and embed AAC in the general education classroom and environment as a whole.

This session aims to provide a fresh perspective on working with AAC users in inclusive classrooms. It will explore best practices for fostering communication success and integrating AAC into the general education classroom including quick, easily implemented strategies for the teachers, ancillary providers, or support staff. This includes ways to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support students with high support needs, providing training for adults and peers. Participants will gain practical insights into building understanding, creating inclusive communication environments, and ensuring that all students can actively engage, learn, and thrive, developing true communication and friendship skills with their general education peers.

Presenters

Elaina Swartzlander, M.A., CCC-SLP

AAC Coach, Kent ISD

Elaina Swartzlander is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 18 years of experience working in a variety of educational settings including Early On, K-12 general education and self-contained settings; including 4.5 years as an Autism Consultant. As an AAC Coach, Elaina supports center-based... Read More →

DeDe Olthoff

K-2 Resource Room Teacher at Endeavor Elementary, Kentwood Public Schools

DeDe Olthoff is an equity-focused educator with over 15 years of experience. After teaching in general education, she transitioned to an early elementary resource classroom and works in the most diverse district in the state of Michigan. A passionate and innovative educator, she boosts... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Red Cedar

General Session

12:00pm EST

Enhancing Communication and Learning for People With Rett Syndrome: A Collaborative Approach

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

Students with Rett syndrome face multiple challenges that impact their ability to learn, participate in assessments and communicate consistently. These may include physical limitations, behavioral difficulties, sensory processing disorders and health-related problems. It’s important that we as educators, therapists, and support staff understand these challenges and their impact on learning and communication. Furthermore, it is imperative that we understand the impact of the learning environment on students with Rett syndrome and how we can create a positive setting that supports their needs. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the secondary challenges faced by students with Rett syndrome and to offer effective strategies for modifying learning materials, creating appropriate assessment strategies, and selecting appropriate communication strategies.

To support students with Rett syndrome, we need effective methods for adapting and creating learning and assessment materials. Allowing the student to express answers in different forms, such as utilizing light tech and high tech AAC supports. Supporting multi-modal communication and learning approaches is imperative when working to make learning inclusive for all of our students. The strategies presented aim to enhance the outcomes of students with Rett Syndrome and promote their participation in the learning process.

Students with Rett syndrome need communication strategies that can be used across all learning environments, home and community. We will cover a variety of methods such as: a least to most prompting hierarchy, aided language stimulation, descriptive teaching methods and access to a robust communication system. These tools, implemented in a consistent and collaborative environment, will bridge the communication and social interactions of students with Rett syndrome with their learning environment.

Although individuals with Rett syndrome face many challenges that affect their ability to learn and communicate, there are effective methods for adapting learning materials, creating appropriate assessments, and selecting communication strategies. By implementing the strategies discussed, participants can create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students with Rett syndrome, enabling them to reach their full potential.

Presenters

Brigitte Evariste, M.Ed.

Solutions Consultant, Tobii Dynavox

Brigitte Evariste has been working with students with complex needs for the past thirteen years. Beginning in a traditional classroom setting, she has extended to consulting, contract work, and private practice. She believes EVERYONE has unstoppable potential. Brigitte has experience... Read More →

Elaine Keuning, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Owner, Williams Speech and Language Pathology PLLC

Elaine Keuning, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD, is a speech-language pathologist, AAC specialist, and owner of Williams Speech and Language Pathology PLLC. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for individuals with complex communication... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Red Cedar

General Session

12:00pm EST

Language and Communication Sample Analysis for Everyone

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you dread doing language samples? Dread no more! Not only are they a legally mandated part of school-based assessments in the state of Michigan, language sample analysis provides detailed information about all 3 domains of languages: syntax, semantics, and pragmatic language. They can also provide culturally sensitive information for individuals who are often not reflected in standardized assessments-bilingual students, students with sensory difficulties, students with difficulties pointing etc. However, collecting and analyzing language samples can often feel overwhelming and deeply time consuming. Additionally, many of the tools used to collect language samples are not designed for complex communicators.

This presentation will address these difficulties by providing detailed information about when, where, how to collect language and communication samples for AAC users. It will discuss how to choose the correct task to collect your language sample. For example, when is it appropriate to do a play-based task and when is a more complex narrative retell task necessary. This presentation will also demonstrate and show a variety of different tools to get the information you’re looking for. Luckily, many tools used to collect language samples are free and available to professionals at no charge. Attendees will be provided with access to links to many free language sample analysis tools, including one made by the presenter. Attendees will practice using these tools with students at a variety of different language levels. At the end of the session, individuals will walk away with the tools to confidently gather and analyze language samples across a variety of different contexts and settings.

Presenters

Christel Ciolino, M.A. CCC-SLP

Preschool Speech-Language Pathologist, Wayne-Westland Community School District

About meChristel Ciolino is a preschool speech-language pathologist at Stottlemyer Early Childhood Center. Her favorite professional activity is introducing students to AAC devices. When not at work, she loves running, cooking, singing with a choir, horseback riding, and reading... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Auditorium

General Session

12:00pm EST

Protecting Students' Legal Rights to Effective Communication

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

Effective communication is a fundamental human right and a foundational aspect of learning and participating in the community. Access to communication supports is protected by the IDEA, ADA, and Section 504.

Too often, however, students may be shut out of access to robust AAC. Students may be presumed incapable of benefiting from AAC; may be forced to try ineffective alternative interventions before AAC is provided; or may be offered AAC that does not actually enable the same range of rich communication that other students enjoy. Schools may also offer an AAC device without committing adequate time and resources to teaching the student how to use it or adapting AAC supports to students' needs.

This presentation will help participants better understand schools' obligations to provide effective communication and AAC supports under federal laws.

Presenters

Sam Crane, J.D.

Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy, CommunicationFIRST

Sam Crane, JD (she/they), is CommunicationFIRST’s Director of Policy & Legal Advocacy. She is an attorney and disability advocate with over ten years of policy advocacy experience and is licensed to practice law in Washington, DC. Sam’s advocacy work has included promoting access... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Lincoln

General Session

12:00pm EST

Using Strategies From the Enhancing Peer Networks Project to Promote Peer Engagement for Students Who use AAC

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Peer engagement and relationships are at the heart of what it means to be included and belong, and they also shape children’s development and learning in many important ways. Yet, students with disabilities who use or would benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) often face significant challenges to developing authentic friendships and engaging meaningfully with their peers. This breakout offers practical, evidence-based strategies to foster interactions and relationships among students who use AAC and their peers. Importantly, this session offers a condensed version of the same content shared during the pre-conference half-day workshop.

Through video models and access to ready-to-use resources, attendees will learn how to promote social communication skills and meaningful engagement with peers for students who use or would benefit from AAC. Content and resources come primarily from the Enhancing Peer Networks Project, a multi-year research initiative that has focused on improving social communication skills and promoting authentic peer relationships for elementary-aged students with autism who are minimally speaking. We partnered with over 20 school teams and their students to implement a multi-component intervention consisting of storybook lessons on friendship and inclusion, a play-based peer network group, and integrated AAC support. Across the project, we have watched students build social communication skills and experience positive interactions, engagement, and relationships with their peers without disabilities.

This session will share actionable, research-based strategies from the Enhancing Peer Networks Project to help educators, families, and other professionals build students’ social communication skills through genuine peer relationships, rather than isolated interventions.

Presenters

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Big Ten C

General Session

1:30pm EST

Beyond the School Walls: Navigating AAC Access and Rights in Adulthood

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

Effective communication is a fundamental human right and a foundational aspect of learning and participating in the community. Access to communication supports is protected by numerous disability rights laws.

Students transitioning to adulthood may experience barriers to continued use of AAC. The supports they received in schools must now be provided through other sources, which may include Medicaid, Vocational Rehabilitation, and/or employers and institutions of higher education. Navigating these new and often poorly-coordinated systems can be difficult for young adults and their families.

This presentation will help participants better understand the new laws and systems that protect access to AAC during the transition to adulthood and beyond, and how professionals can help students prepare for and navigate these changing frameworks.

Presenters

Sam Crane, J.D.

Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy, CommunicationFIRST

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Lincoln

General Session

1:30pm EST

Enhancing SLP Impact: Integrating AAC Into the Classroom

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Speech-language pathologists are supporting increasingly diverse caseloads with growing communication, academic, and participation needs. At the same time, students who use or benefit from AAC are spending more of their school day in general education classrooms. To support these learners effectively, SLPs must rethink traditional service delivery models and move beyond isolated pull-out therapy toward embedded, classroom-based support.

This session will explore how AAC can be integrated into the classroom as both an individualized communication system and a broader Tier 1 support for all learners. Participants will learn practical ways to use AAC to strengthen expressive and receptive language, deepen understanding of academic concepts, increase engagement, and support meaningful participation across the school day. Rather than treating AAC as a tool used only by a specific student or only during speech sessions, this presentation will demonstrate how AAC can become part of the classroom environment, routines, and instruction.

The session will include real-world examples of how SLPs can collaborate with general education and special education teams to build capacity across classrooms. Topics will include supporting classroom-based AAC modeling, selecting relevant core and academic vocabulary, embedding AAC into literacy and math instruction, and using visual language supports during whole-group, small-group, and individual activities. Participants will see examples of AAC supporting story sequencing, concept mapping, vocabulary development, sight word instruction, math concepts, problem-solving, and written language.

This presentation will also highlight the value of viewing AAC through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework. When AAC tools are available as universal supports, they can benefit not only students with complex communication needs, but also multilingual learners, students with language delays, students experiencing dysregulation, and others who benefit from visual access to language. By embedding AAC into everyday classroom instruction, SLPs can expand their impact, increase educator confidence, and create more inclusive learning environments.

Participants will leave with practical strategies for integrating AAC into classroom routines, collaborating with educators, and increasing communication access for a wider range of students.

Presenters

Carolyn McCoy, M.A., CCC/SLP, BCBA

SLP, Northshore School District

Carolyn McCoy is an Speech Language Pathologist in the Northshore School District in Suburban King County, WA. Working at Ruby Bridges Elementary School, a model site for inclusive practices within Washington State, has capped a career that includes experience in a co-teaching classroom... Read More →

Nicole (Nicki) Case, M.A., CCC/SLP

SLP, Northshore School District

Nicole (Nicki) Case is an elementary SLP in the Northshore School District. She has expertise in AAC, inclusive practices and supporting students with complex communication needs in the general education setting. Nicole has experience across school and clinical settings, creating... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Big Ten C

General Session

1:30pm EST

Organizing Your AAC Toolkit: Digital Resources for the Modern SLP

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation provides speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive framework for organizing essential augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) resources into an accessible digital toolkit. Attendees will discover a curated collection of practical resources spanning the full spectrum of AAC implementation—from initial assessment through ongoing learning, intervention, and engagement.

The session begins by exploring structured evaluation tools and protocols that guide appropriate AAC selection and implementation planning. These resources help clinicians conduct thorough assessments while documenting critical information about communication needs, motor access, language abilities, and environmental factors. Participants will learn how to digitally organize and customize these evaluation materials for efficient clinical use.

A portion of the presentation focuses on light-tech AAC solutions that offer immediate classroom application without requiring extensive technical expertise. Attendees will explore printable communication boards, visual supports, and core vocabulary systems that can be quickly deployed across educational settings.

For high-tech interventions, the session showcases user-friendly manuals and quick-start guides for popular AAC applications and devices. These resources demystify complex systems for both clinicians and communication partners, reducing implementation barriers and increasing confidence.

Communication partner training receives special emphasis, with ready-to-use materials that empower educational teams and families to support AAC users effectively. These resources include modeling strategies and solutions to common barriers designed for diverse communication environments.

The presentation highlights literacy resources designed specifically for emergent readers using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. These materials support reading activities and resources that build literacy alongside AAC proficiency.

Additionally, attendees will discover engaging games and interactive websites that motivate communication through play and natural reinforcement. These resources make practice meaningful and enjoyable for AAC users across developmental levels.

Throughout the session, SLPs will access and explore these diverse resources, organized in a personalized digital system that enhances clinical efficiency and ultimately streamlines their practice while supporting seamless collaboration across educational teams and settings.

To get the most out of our time together during this session, please bring a laptop or tablet if possible. We'll be exploring some fantastic online resources live during the session and having your device connected to WiFi will let you follow along, bookmark useful sites, and dive deeper into the tools we discuss. You will leave this session with a robust digital resource!

Presenters

Mary Giunta, MA, CCC-SLP

AAC Consultant, AAC Tech Solutions, LLC

Mary Giunta brings over three decades of experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), during which she served diverse populations across multiple settings, including hospitals, schools, adult day programs, outpatient clinics, and early intervention programs. Since... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Auditorium

General Session

1:30pm EST

Prioritizing 'Possible' Over 'Perfection': A Real-World, Team-Based Approach to AAC Implementation Planning

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

In the real world of complicated systems, staffing shortages, and high-needs classrooms, the expectation of all-day modeling and seamless integration often feels like an impossible weight. When the gap between "what should be" and "what can be" becomes too wide, implementation doesn't just slow down—it stops. This session describes how one county is striving to meet teachers, families, and SLPs where they are, bridging the divide between clinical ideals and classroom reality.

Participants will learn a specific, team-based framework designed to shift open-ended, overwhelming "all-day" expectations toward high-fidelity, intentional implementation. Focusing on teamwork, the goal is to encourage and develop spaces that prioritize 'possible' over 'perfect.' Rooted in positive, open communication and comfortable problem-solving, the goal is not to create more work, but to better support teams and personalize the AAC teaching process for any given student and environment.

We will discuss how to identify the "possible" windows for communication. By beginning with two specific routines, interdisciplinary teams can move from a "Go Do This" mentality to a "Stumble Together" partnership. We will explore how to balance staff and classroom needs while also planning for positive student impact by identifying simple, actionable steps that any team member can execute with confidence.

This topic is deeply relevant and impactful because it addresses the systemic barriers that prevent consistent AAC use. For educators and therapists, it provides a sustainable workflow that prevents burnout. For family members and communication partners, it offers a clear, non-intimidating entry point into supporting a new AAC user. Most importantly, for the individual who uses AAC, this framework strives to ensure that communication isn’t a special event or a particular lesson, but a strong foundation built through reliable routines that can grow and adjust over time.

Attendees will leave with a practical set of visuals, documents, and resources to bridge the “clinical ideal” to “classroom reality” divide. In addition, participants will walk away with a renewed sense of permission to focus on the quiet, consistent routines that build a foundation for long-term communication, prioritizing what actually works over what is "perfect”.

Presenters

Megan Makowski, MS, CCC-SLP

AAC Consultant, Livingston Educational Service Agency

Megan Makowski, MS, CCC-SLP, is an AAC Consultant with the Livingston Educational Service Agency. Within the public school setting, she empowers teams to move beyond basic AAC selection and into sustainable implementation through collaborative problem-solving. She specializes in supporting... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Red Cedar

General Session

3:00pm EST

A Panel Discussion: Building Capacity From the Ground Up: Empowering Districts Through Collaborative AAC Frameworks

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

This 60-minute panel discussion explores how educators and specialists in two Michigan school districts are creatively expanding access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and building sustainable capacity from the ground up. Panelists will share practical strategies for overcoming universal hurdles such as high staff transience, funding constraints, and speech-language pathologist (SLP) shortages. By examining the shared experiences and unique approaches of these two districts, attendees will learn how localized AAC coaching models and lending libraries can be leveraged to rapidly deploy individualized training, support new staff, and get assessment tools into classrooms quickly.

The panel will detail the high-impact initiatives and collaborative frameworks that have successfully shifted communication cultures across their respective school communities. Presenters will share insights on establishing and/or accessing specialized lending libraries of "partner devices" and explain how putting these tools directly into the hands of teachers and support staff drives unexpected student growth. Additionally, the discussion will break down the essential administrative and legal mechanics of their successes, focusing on how clinical decision-making is prioritized to write flexible yet legally robust AAC provisions into Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that ensure continuous student access. By highlighting real-world examples this session provides a replicable roadmap for any district looking to build inclusive AAC capacity against the odds.

Presenters

Michelle Awesome, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Michelle Awesome is a speech-language pathologist who completed her Bachelor's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Eastern Michigan University (2007), and her Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University (2010). She discovered the field of speech-language... Read More →

Dr. Adrima Caesar, Ph.D

Senior Director of Assistive Technology/Curriculum/Assessments/Professional Development, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Dr. Adrima Caesar’s passion for serving all students, particularly those with exceptionalities, was sparked at an early age. She attended Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings for her sibling, who has multiple disabilities, including severe cognitive impairment, autism, hearing... Read More →

Nikki Stempien, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Coach, Branch Intermediate School District

Nikki Stempien, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 10 years of experience in the school setting, specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She currently serves as an SLP and AAC Coach for the Branch Intermediate School District. In her dual... Read More →

Molly Moran

Speech Language Pathologist and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Coach, Branch Intermediate School District

With over a decade of experience in the field, Molly Moran, M.A., CCC-SLP specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for students with complex communication needs. In her dual role at Branch ISD, she provides direct clinical support to elementary students in self-contained... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Auditorium

General Session

3:00pm EST

AAC Storytime for All: Create Your Own Community Based Instructional Opportunity for AAC Users, Caregivers and Future Clinicians

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

The purpose of this session is to encourage SLPs to create an AAC Storytime program in their own communities. The presenter will detail how she started and has maintained such a program operating out of Riverview Public Library for the last 2 years.

The concept is simple: Every month, around a dozen AAC users (both preschool and elementary aged), using a variety of AAC programs, come to participate in a 45-minute interactive storytime event at the library. They are paired with volunteers from local universities who are studying to be speech pathologists. The SLP facilitating the event reads a story and leads the group through language-rich activities.

Despite a simple concept, there are many considerations for execution. This presentation will break down these considerations, including how to source a location, generate participants and volunteers, training volunteers, and lesson planning for books and activities. The presentation will discuss the relative time commitment, and discuss ways to reduce the workload, including use of a database of free resources for those looking to follow a similar format. These resources include a monthly "to-do" list, themed lesson plans for books with activities and material list, training power point for the student volunteers, spreadsheet templates to organize participant information, and low tech communication tools to support every book.

This topic has relevance and impact for multiple groups. Through a dedicated AAC Storytime, AAC users will be provided with an ongoing community enrichment opportunity tailored to their unique communication needs. It serves to benefit their literacy skills, in addition to peer socialization with other AAC users.

The parents/caregivers of the participants will have the opportunity to learn and practice their language modeling alongside hands-on support from the student volunteers. This will allow them to learn their child's system and use it in a way that they may not have had the opportunity to before.

Finally, the student volunteers will have the opportunity to be hands on with AAC in a nurturing environment before entering the work-force. It will serve for some as their first exposure to AAC, and for others as on-going practice and experience. Their future caseloads will benefit from their increased familiarity and comfort with varied AAC systems and their implementation.

Presenters

Alison Ortega, MA, CCC-SLP

Owner, Speech Pathologist, OrtegaTalks LLC

Alison Ortega is an SLP working primarily in the pediatric outpatient setting. She is a proud Wayne State alum (linguistics BA, speech-language pathology MA). If she had to pick an AAC app to use personally, it would be LAMP. Her AAC Storytime program is dedicated to her late grandmother... Read More →

Yunuen Vargas

Student Volunteer, OrtegaTalks LLC

Yunuen Vargas is a first-generation, bilingual student at Eastern Michigan University and an Early On family trainer. She supports early communication through evidence and play-based strategies with a strong focus on culturally responsive practices and equitable access to AAC.

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lincoln

General Session

3:00pm EST

Ethical Concerns of Data Collection From AAC Users

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Speech-language pathologists collect data for six basic reasons:
• Track progress over time
• To guide treatment decisions
• To set and refine measurable goals
• To communicate clearly with families, teachers, and other professionals
• To meet professional and legal documentation standards
• To support evidence-based practice

These are very important reasons to collect data. However, the purpose of this presentation is to determine what, if any, limits should be put on this data collection. Many AAC devices have the ability to collect data, and there are several questions that need to be asked:
• Should this feature be turned on?
• Does it violate the privacy of the AAC user for the SLP, parent, etc. to know everything an AAC user says?
• Does an AAC user’s right to privacy change depending on their age, diagnosis, or other factors?
• Should the AAC user be able to decide if or when this feature will be used?
• How might the AAC user’s communication be negatively affected if they know their communication is being monitored?

The purpose of this session is not to criticize data collection but to bring to the attention of SLPs ethical concerns that they might not have considered. The SLP should be aware of when and how data collection can negatively impact AAC users and how they might mitigate those risks.

Presenters

Lance McLemore

Ambassador, PRC-Saltillo

Lance McLemore has been using AAC for about 12 years. He got his first high tech communication aid whilst in university. Since getting access to AAC, his world has greatly expanded. His current language system is LAMP Words for Life on an Accent 1000, which he received in 2016. He... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Big Ten C

General Session

3:00pm EST

Step Into Emergent Literacy Implementation for AAC Users

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

Reading and writing are essential skills for individuals who use AAC. Whether you are just beginning your literacy instruction journey or looking to deepen your knowledge and skills, this session is for you. Emergent literacy routines provide the foundation for lifelong literacy while naturally embedding communication throughout instruction.

Participants will explore five key literacy routines: shared reading, predictable chart writing, alphabet knowledge and phonological awareness, independent reading, and independent writing. Through an introduction to Project Core and Building Bridges from Emergent to Conventional Literacy from the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies (CLDS), attendees will discover practical lessons, instructional modules, implementation resources, self-reflection tools, and other supports to strengthen literacy instruction and empower students on their literacy journey.

Presenters

Marlene Cummings

AAC Consultant, Oakland Schools & #TalkingAAC

Marlene Cummings, M.A., CCC-SLP is an Augmentative/Alternative Communication Consultant. She specializes in designing innovative implementation systems utilizing cutting edge professional learning frameworks and dynamic service delivery models to build capacity and sustainability... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Red Cedar

General Session

8:30am EST

Become a Keyguard Creator: A Beginner's Walk Through of 3D Printing

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

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

Let’s design a keyguard in real time!! Many learners are not able to access more robust vocabularies due to current motoric & visual abilities. Keyguards are a tool that sustains direct access instead of deviating to alternative access methods when fine motor and visual motor coordination are interfering. They support learners to have fewer mis-hits, better confidence, reduced cognitive load, and overall communication success. They allow us to keep a larger vocabulary with a sustained motor plan. 3D designs can even be created for temporary button masking for explicit motor plan teaching within direct instruction moments. These tools have become easier to obtain and trial due to 3D printing. Customizations and individualizations are now easier to design and print on your own. You don’t have to be super techy or know how to code to realize a 3D print keyguard solution

This session will take you from a keyguard idea to a downloadable file for 3D printing. We will walk through using screenshots and measurements to create a design that best fits an AAC user’s needs. A clear introduction to powerful, free tools like Volkswitch, InkScape, OpenSCAD, and MakerWorld will be presented. Follow along to learn the method to print your design on paper before you send it to the printer. We will also consider when to use Gemini AI as a creative partner to co-create and troubleshoot designs and printing.

Don’t have a local 3D or laser printer? No problem - we will end with specific resources for taking your files to get them generated and in student hands. Leave with additional resources to continue advancing your 3D creation and printing skills.

Whether a permanent solution or try before you buy, 3D printing a custom keyguard is a readily available AAC accessory that can dramatically improve an individual’s independent access to a robust dynamic communication system.

Presenters

Tracie Schanen, OTR/L, ATP

Assistive Technology Consultant, Livingston Educational Service Agency and #TalkingAAC Board Member

Tracie is an Assistive Technology Consultant with Livingston ESA in Howell, Michigan. She supports both center-based and county-wide district teams with the AT and AAC consideration process and implementation across ages 0 - 26. She is a registered Occupational Therapist and RESNA... Read More →

Makenzi Farmer, M.A., CCC-SLP

Augmentative & Alternative Communication Consultant, Eaton Regional Education Service Agency

Makenzi Farmer is an AAC Consultant with Eaton RESA in Charlotte, Michigan. She supports local districts and the center-based programs with AAC considerations, tool implementation, training, coaching, and more. As a Speech Language Pathologist she has experience with ECSE, K-12, and... Read More →

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

General Session

8:30am EST

Bridging the Graduation Gap: Supporting AAC From School to Adulthood

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

Room 103 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

For young adults who use AAC, the transition out of school can mean losing access to the very system that supports their ability to communicate. This session addresses that gap and what teams can do to prevent it.

Participants will explore a framework for transition planning that keeps the AAC user’s own communication priorities at the center. Supporting topics include developing a post-graduation plan of care, building team support across school and adult service settings, navigating workplace communication needs, and securing device funding for individuals who do not own their AAC system.

This session is relevant to AAC users, families, SLPs, educators, and others who want practical strategies for ensuring communication independence doesn’t stall at graduation. Attendees will leave with a clearer roadmap for collaboration between school-based and outpatient teams, so that transition becomes a bridge, not a barrier.

Presenters

Darcy Lees, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

AAC Solutions Consultant, PRC-Saltillo

Darcy Lees, M.Ed., CCC/SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 30 years of experience supporting individuals with complex communication needs in clinic and school settings. During her career, she has been committed to helping AAC users develop the skills and confidence to communicate... Read More →

Nora Eskin, M.S., CCC-SLP

AAC Solutions Consultant, Tobii Dynavox

Nora Eskin, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist with over ten years of experience working with complex communicators and AAC solutions. She has worked in special education schools, outpatient clinics and providing assistive technology services for adults with disabilities... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST
Room 103 A & B

General Session

8:30am EST

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

General Session

8:30am EST

From Support to Partnership: SLPs as Collaborative Co-Teachers

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

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Speech-language pathologists are increasingly called to move beyond pull-out service delivery and consultation models toward meaningful, embedded collaboration in classroom environments. This presentation will explore how SLPs can shift from a role of “supporting” instruction from the outside to becoming true instructional partners through collaborative co-teaching. With a focus on AAC users and students with complex communication needs, participants will examine practical ways to integrate communication supports into daily classroom routines, academic instruction, and peer interactions.

This session will highlight how co-teaching allows SLPs and educators to share responsibility for student access, participation, and communication growth. Rather than viewing AAC as a tool used only during speech sessions or isolated activities, participants will learn how AAC can become part of the classroom culture through modeling, shared planning, environmental supports, and intentional opportunities for authentic communication. The presentation will include examples of collaborative planning, classroom-based language targets, aided language input, and strategies for supporting both educators and students during instruction.

Participants will also consider common barriers to collaboration, including scheduling, role confusion, limited AAC confidence, and differing expectations between professionals. Practical solutions will be shared to help teams build trust, define roles, and create sustainable systems for co-teaching. Emphasis will be placed on strengths-based collaboration, shared problem-solving, and honoring the expertise of both SLPs and classroom educators.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with concrete strategies for developing effective co-teaching partnerships, embedding AAC across the school day, and increasing meaningful communication opportunities for students. This presentation is designed for SLPs, educators, and related service providers who want to move from service delivery that happens near the classroom to communication support that is fully integrated within it.

Presenters

Carolyn McCoy, M.A., CCC/SLP, BCBA

SLP, Northshore School District

Nicole (Nicki) Case, M.A., CCC/SLP

SLP, Northshore School District

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

General Session

8:30am EST

Step Inside the Classroom: An Immersive, Fast-Paced Journey Through Emergent Literacy and AAC

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

104/105 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

Experience comprehensive literacy instruction from the user’s perspective in this 75-minute, highly interactive, and immersive training session. Designed for educators seeking actionable strategies for emergent learners who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), this workshop skips the traditional lecture and drops you directly into the student experience. Attendees will assume the roles of students who rely on AAC systems, navigating real-world classroom barriers and breakthroughs while learning exactly how to implement four of the core components of a comprehensive emergent literacy framework.

The heart of the session is a fast-paced, 17-minute rotational circuit. Moving through four distinct instructional modules, participants will actively engage in live, simulated lessons modeled by experienced educators. The four specialized modules include:

Robust Vocabulary Instruction: Learn how to select, introduce, and deeply teach high-utility core and fringe vocabulary words using explicit instruction and multi-modal AAC modeling.
Shared Reading: Experience the "Comment, Ask, Respond" interaction technique to maximize student engagement and language learning during group or one-on-one reading.
Predictable Chart Writing: Participate in a structured, multi-day writing process that teaches emergent communicators sentence structure, print concepts, and the power of their own words.
Alphabet & Phonological Awareness: Discover explicit and accessible methods for teaching letter names, letter sounds, and phonological concepts without requiring spoken responses.

By rotating through every station, attendees will experience literacy instruction through the eyes of a student. You will leave this high-energy session not just with a conceptual understanding of emergent literacy, but with the practical, firsthand insight needed to immediately design and conduct accessible and engaging, comprehensive literacy lessons in your own classroom or district.

This room will have concurrent sessions occurring - please make considerations for hearing needs.

Presenters

Molly Wrzesinski

SLP, Northwest Education Services

Molly Wrzesinski has worked in center based programming for students with severe multiple impairments at Northwest Education Services for the past seven years. Her caseload consists of students in preschool-12th grade, all of whom have complex communication needs and use some form... Read More →

Amy Devin

ASD Teacher, Royal Oak Schools

I am a teacher who has a passion for teaching literacy and communication to students who use AAC and require language support to learn.

Jaime Oppenlander

Instructional Coach, Livingston Education Service Agency

Jaime Oppenlander has been implementing Comprehensive Literacy for All instructional routines for eight years. She brings fourteen years of experience teaching in a SXI/SCI inclusive classroom and is now in her sixth year as an instructional coach, working in both Grand Haven and... Read More →

Lauren Pawlowski

Special Education Teacher, Lake Fenton Community Schools

Lauren Pawlowski is a passionate special education teacher with 18 years of experience working with students of all abilities. She has had the privilege of teaching in a variety of settings, including resource rooms and self-contained classrooms, with a strong focus on supporting... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST
104/105 A & B

General Session

10:00am EST

AAC All Day: Communication as the Foundation of Learning and Life

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Special Education Teachers play a critical role in providing AAC supports to students with disabilities in the learning environment. Because most teachers do not possess the skills of a Speech Language Pathologist/Therapist, it is difficult for them to believe that they can, and should, provide AAC supports on a daily basis. Often there is inadequate training on the “how to” and the “why” of providing supports that students require in order to learn and demonstrate their knowledge.

When educators begin to think about AAC as a means to talk about the content it can become easier to integrate into the daily instruction. This session will demonstrate how educators can integrate AAC devices into the course of the day: all day, every day, impacting how students who use AAC can see themselves as communicators.

Presenters

Laura Taylor, MEd

Consultant, Taylor Educational Consultants

Laura Taylor is a retired Special Education Teacher with a passion for supporting learners who require the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to communicate. Laura is a Certified PODD Presenter and has taught students who use AAC to communicate.

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST
Big Ten C

General Session

10:00am EST

From "Wing It" to Intentional: A Communication Partner Skill-Building Collaborative Journey

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

What happens when you walk into a classroom to coach AAC implementation and realize one staff member was hired last week and the other has been there for fifteen years?

This session follows one SLP's journey from well-meaning but directionless classroom visits to a structured, flexible and collaborative coaching model built around a simple but powerful shift: before the AAC learner can build skills, the communication partner has to. At the heart of the model is a defined set of communication partner skills (or competencies) but what makes it work is who gets to choose. When staff can see their own gaps and select their focus area, coaching stops feeling like an observation and starts feeling like ownership.

Presenters

Michaela Ball, M.S., CCC-SLP

AT/AAC Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST
Lincoln

General Session

10:00am EST

Matching the Moment: Balancing Student Needs and Task Demands for Multimodal Success

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST

Room 103 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

The transition from "having an AAC tool" to "using it all day" is where implementation often stalls. We frequently encounter device abandonment because it was poorly matched to the task at hand. Let’s move away from a static, one-system-fits-all approach and toward a dynamic, multimodal framework. By matching AAC features to a student's daily tasks instead of relying on a single tool, this session shows how to keep communication functional even in high-stress moments.
The session begins by grounding participants in a 'traffic light framework' to navigate decision-making, highlighting the complex interplay between cognitive, physical, and linguistic demands, access challenges, and a student’s engagement or motivation.
In this hands-on lab, participants will dive into our onsite AAC library to solve real-world case studies and practice mapping a multimodal toolkit that supports a student’s communication needs across every activity in their day.
This session provides a clear rationale for dynamically pivoting between high-tech devices and light-tech systems. When teams adopt this proactive lens, they honor the AAC user's fluctuating energy and effort. This directly supports autonomy by ensuring the individual always has an accessible way to communicate, regardless of the environment. Participants will leave with a practical framework to support student communication throughout the day.

Presenters

Jarrett Bassett

AAC Consultant & SLP, Ottawa Area ISD

Jarrett Bassett is an SLP with a love for communication in all forms. Currently working with the Young Adult Service of Ottawa Area ISD as an AAC consultant and SLP; he works to find real world solutions for students aged 18-26, as they enter the next stage of their lives. He also... Read More →

Megan Hojnacki, MA, CCC-SLP

AT/AAC Specialist, Alt+Shift

Megan Hojnacki is an SLP by training and currently an AT/AAC specialist for Alt+Shift. After a transformative experience at Camp Alec (as seen on Disney+) and 20 years of experience in public education, Megan is a firm believer that literacy and AAC are inseparable rights for all... Read More →

Kelsey Brewer, MA

AT/AAC Specialist, Alt+Shift

Kelsey Brewer, M.A. is an assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialist with over nine years of experience in special education. Her primary expertise lies in Early Childhood Special Education, specifically supporting students ages 3–5. Kelsey’s... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST
Room 103 A & B

General Session

10:00am EST

United for AAC: Law, Advocacy, and Action

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

The saying, “It takes a village” is a fundamental truth for professionals who are dedicated to supporting individuals with complex communication needs. They must work within multidisciplinary teams, navigate complicated systems, and use advanced clinical expertise to ensure individuals have a voice. Professionals and caregivers bear the full weight of assessing and implementing AAC while also addressing the many advocacy needs around AAC. They are tasked with constantly championing AAC representation in schools, health systems, and in the community. Professionals who support individuals with AAC are constantly faced with systemic barriers that affect access to care, cause ethical dilemmas, and can impact interprofessional care. Hurdles include battling with insurance after multiple denials to have devices approved, facing limitations for funding and staffing within their organizations, and supporting complex family systems. Often, these barriers are related to national and state laws that govern systems that AAC users interact with daily.

This session will empower professionals in understanding the specific special education and health care laws that impact AAC care delivery. Participants will examine common barriers across settings, including schools and medical arenas, and discuss current legal frameworks that should guide decision making regarding access to AAC devices and services. Avenues for advocacy and systems change will be explored during the session. Moving beyond identification, participants will explore collaborative strategies to support interprofessional practice within education, health care, and administration. Finally, participants will evaluate their current service delivery models to identify "friction points" and ways to address these barriers to ensure that, despite different approaches and professional limitations, the advocacy efforts are re-centered on the individual AAC user. The ultimate objective of this presentation is for participants to generate a concrete, actionable roadmap that is informed by current laws and policies to support the provision of best practices in AAC.

Presenters

Ashley Robinson, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist, AAC Consultant, ABility Consulting

Ashley is a speech language pathologist with 15 years of dedicated clinical experience in AAC. Her career has spanned multiple states and the full developmental spectrum—from early intervention through young adulthood—with a specialized focus on supporting students with complex... Read More →

Brittany Shupe-Sawyer, LMSW

Social Worker, Advocate, ABility Consulting

Brittany is a clinical social worker with over a decade of experience with children, adults, and families with disabilities in a variety of settings. She began her career as a medical social worker, where she supported pediatric and adult patients and joined forces with rehabilitation... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST
Auditorium

General Session

12:15pm EST

From Therapy Hour to All-Day AAC: A Hybrid In-Person and Telepractice Model for Life Skills Classrooms

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

For students with complex communication needs in life skills classrooms, AAC is most effective when it is woven throughout the school day, not isolated to therapy sessions. Yet many districts, especially those in rural or underserved areas, struggle to provide consistent, expert-driven AAC support due to staffing shortages, geographic barriers, and limited classroom-based AAC training. The result is too often the same: AAC devices that sit unused outside of therapy time, classroom staff who feel uncertain about how to support communication, and AAC users whose access to a robust language system is limited to a few minutes per week.

This session shares a hybrid service delivery model designed to close that gap. Built and refined by Interact Therapy, the model combines virtual SLP expertise with in-person classroom support so that AAC implementation extends across the full school day. Presenters will share findings from a 12-week mixed-methods case study in a rural public school district, including a 42% increase in student AAC usage, 70% of participating students showing more independent communication attempts, and 100% of classroom staff reporting improved confidence in supporting AAC. This work was selected as a 2025 ASHA Convention Centennial Session for its potential to shape future practice in telepractice and AAC service delivery.

Beyond the data, attendees will leave with practical tools developed through the project, including a staff competency checklist, a weekly planning template, and a communication opportunity matrix that maps AAC use across classroom routines. The session will include time for small-group discussion of common implementation barriers and table-based work applying the tools to attendees' own settings.

This session is especially relevant for school-based SLPs, classroom teachers and paraprofessionals, district administrators, telepractice providers, and AAC specialists. Family members and AAC users are warmly invited; their perspectives on what truly all-day AAC access looks and feels like are central to the work this model supports.

Presenters

Marleah Herman-Umpleby, MS CCC-SLP

Co-Owner, Speech Pathologist, Interact Therapy

Marleah Herman-Umpleby, MS, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Online Speech-Language Pathology Program at West Virginia University, where she leads online graduate education and teaches courses in AAC, speech sound disorders, and clinical practice. She... Read More →

Stephanie Ekis, MS CCC-SLP

Co-Owner, Speech Pathologist, Interact Therapy

Stephanie is an SLP with a passion for helping individuals realize their full potential. With over 30 years of experience, Stephanie has provided assessment and treatment for children and adults with complex communication needs. With a specialty in augmentative and alternative... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST
Lincoln

General Session

12:15pm EST

Meaningful Goals and Supportive Instruction for Early AAC Learners

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

What comes first, the chicken or the egg? The same may be said of meaningful goals and skill-building interactions and instruction for early AAC learners. This 2-part session will begin with a deep dive into drafting meaningful goals for early AAC learners, then shift to explore opportunities and examples of skill-building interactions and instructional activities.

Early AAC learners who are developing skills related to engaging with their AAC often learn and interact in ways that are dynamic, may be difficult to describe and quantify, and are often on timelines that do not fit neatly into an IEP cycle. This poses a notable challenge for writing IEP goals, that by design, focus on students demonstrating defined skills in identified contexts. Another factor is that there is substantial onus on communication partners to provide ample aided language input, and responsive, skill-building feedback to support learning and foster foundational language development.

This session will look at the components of a goal and outline a framework for drafting goals that reflect the necessary learner + communication partner contributions for learning and engaging with AAC. This framework guides a goal writing process that: 1) describes student skills in nuanced ways, 2) considers a range of goal targets informed by communicative competencies, 3) includes necessary conditions for learning such as partner input and feedback, and 4) formulates goal criteria that reflects increases in consistency over time, and across partners and environments. A link to a workbook will be provided that participants can use and replicate to guide their goal-writing practices, and guide collaborative goal writing in teams.

The second part of this session will explore opportunities to develop AAC learner skills across communicative competencies. Through examples and discussion participants will engage in action-planning related to operational competencies. Participant input and contributions will guide conversation and exploration of resources to support social and strategic competencies. Linguistic competence will be discussed with a focus on the descriptive teaching approach. Sample lessons will be shared and developed to systematically identify the “language of the lesson”; purposeful vocabulary selection to shape AAC learning and concept development of key ideas across multiple and varied activities.

Presenters

Tabi Jones-Wohleber

SLP, Communication AACtualized, LLC

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST
Big Ten C

General Session

12:15pm EST

Rethinking Our Role and Response to Communicative Behaviors

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

When a student "acts out," what are they truly telling us? For students with complex communication needs, behavior is often the most powerful—and sometimes only—tool available to express unmet needs. This interactive session challenges educators to shift their perspective from seeking compliance to fostering connection and understanding.

Participants will begin by reflecting on how their own beliefs, biases, and reactions shape their responses to student behavior. We will explore the neuroscientific link between anxiety and regulation and introduce the concept of interoception—the "eighth sense" that helps students recognize internal body signals like hunger, pain, or distress. By moving toward an interoceptive approach, educators can support a student’s unique inner experience rather than forcing them to mask it.

To support this shift, we will discuss a variety of strategies to utilize Augmentative and Alternative Communication to support student regulation, autonomy, and communication needs, especially in moments of communication breakdown. We will explore how robust modeling provides students with the essential vocabulary for self-advocacy and emotional expression before an escalation occurs. Furthermore, we will examine how to use AAC to validate a student's autonomy—honoring "no" or "stop" through their device to reduce the need for physical resistance. By providing a reliable voice during high-stress moments, we can decrease the communicative breakdown that often leads to dysregulation.

Through hands-on practice, attendees will learn to use a Communicative Behavior Inventory framework to attribute meaning to specific behaviors and plan adult responses that prioritize co-regulation over control. Together, we will walk away with concrete strategies to support students in communicating even in their toughest moments.

Presenters

Megan Hojnacki, MA, CCC-SLP

AT/AAC Specialist, Alt+Shift

Kelsey Brewer, MA

AT/AAC Specialist, Alt+Shift

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST
Auditorium

General Session

12:15pm EST

Step Inside the Classroom: An Immersive, Fast-Paced Journey Through Emergent Literacy and AAC

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST

104/105 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

Robust Vocabulary Instruction: Learn how to select, introduce, and deeply teach high-utility core and fringe vocabulary words using explicit instruction and multi-modal AAC modeling.
Shared Reading: Experience the "Comment, Ask, Respond" interaction technique to maximize student engagement and language learning during group or one-on-one reading.
Predictable Chart Writing: Participate in a structured, multi-day writing process that teaches emergent communicators sentence structure, print concepts, and the power of their own words.
Alphabet & Phonological Awareness: Discover explicit and accessible methods for teaching letter names, letter sounds, and phonological concepts without requiring spoken responses.

Presenters

Molly Wrzesinski

SLP, Northwest Education Services

Amy Devin

ASD Teacher, Royal Oak Schools

I am a teacher who has a passion for teaching literacy and communication to students who use AAC and require language support to learn.

Jaime Oppenlander

Instructional Coach, Livingston Education Service Agency

Lauren Pawlowski

Special Education Teacher, Lake Fenton Community Schools

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST
104/105 A & B

General Session

12:15pm EST

They Never Use It: Navigating AAC Rejection, Refusal or Abandonment

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST

Room 103 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

A lot of work goes into prescribing and obtaining an AAC device for individuals who cannot rely on speech for effective communication. But putting a device in front of an individual is only the beginning of the journey. Unfortunately, AAC devices are often abandoned (or worse, rejected) by users. Using AAC effectively is a difficult process that involves a variety of motivational factors, including physical access, opportunity for use, acceptance of format and committed communication partners. When one of these elements breaks down, AAC use can decline significantly. This session will address a variety of reasons for AAC device abandonment/rejection/refusal and will propose strategies to rejuvenate and inspire use.

Presenters

Kim Hurley, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist, North Lawrence Community Schools

Kim Hurley, MA, CCC-SLP, is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with 25 years of experience serving Indiana public schools. She currently works for North Lawrence Community Schools, where she supports students from K-12+ with complex educational and communication needs. A passionate... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST
Room 103 A & B

General Session