2019 NWACS Annual Conference

DATE: October 19, 2019

WHERE: Red Lion Hotel Bellevue ~ 11211 Main Street, Bellevue, WA [New venue!]

Traveling to this year's NWACS conference and need overnight accommodations? Red Lion Hotel Bellevue is offering a special rate for those attending the NWACS conference ($69.00+ tax with waived resort fees)!

SPEAKER: Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP ~ Augmentative Communication and Assistive Technology Consultant

TITLE: Energizing Language & Literacy Instruction for Students with Complex Needs

DESCRIPTION: We all encounter those who may harbor myths or be reluctant to “jump in head first” with direct communication and literacy instruction for our most complex students (e.g., complex bodies, cognitive impairment, and complex communication needs). However, language and literacy certainly top the list of skills that we should be teaching all learners as they strive to become productive, socially valued, and safe members of their communities. In this full-day workshop, we will focus on learning how we can provide even our most complex learners with the essential skills of communication and literacy. We will explore best practices in AAC implementation, as well as easy-to-replicate methods of teaching literacy skills through engaging lecture and practical, hands-on participant activities. The guiding principle of providing student instruction within fun, engaging and meaningful activities and tasks will be embedded throughout this workshop. We will also explore strategies that can be used to encourage and inspire team members to commit to fostering the development of language and literacy with all of their learners, without the expectation of prerequisite skills.

Participants will:

• Explore strategies to teach language, encourage AAC use, and weave literacy activities into busy daily schedules.
• Discover and practice tools that support access to writing for students with even the most significant motor impairments (“alternative pencils”), as well as receive resources on how to create alternative pencils.
• Explore how to revamp traditional classroom activities (such as morning meeting) to include rich language and literacy instruction.
• Discover new activities and tools to add to your “toolboxes” - including easy-to-access, electronic and non-electronic assistive technology - that can be used to support language/AAC use and literacy development (e.g., classroom core vocabulary communication displays, custom book creation, Tar Heel Reader website, Story Creator, Pictello, Book Creator, and PicCollage).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Name three types of alternative pencils and how they can be used to allow students with complex motor needs to write.
2. Describe the concept of “attributing meaning” when working with emergent readers, writers, and communicators.
3. Share one method of increasing school community awareness and involvement in supporting students who use AAC.
4. Explain how a “day map” can be used to identify key vocabulary targets to teach and model.
5. Define the term “experience book” and give one example of how an experience book can be used to support language and literacy development.
6. Name at least one newly-learned app and describe how it can be used to support language and literacy development.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Participants are encouraged to bring an iPad or tablet, ChromeBook, or laptop to this session; however, these tools are not required.
• WiFi will be available for attendees within the conference space.
• Handouts will be emailed to registered attendees two weeks prior to the conference day.
• Attendees who require accommodations or have special dietary needs should contact conference@nwacs.info with requests.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course offers the following continuing education credits:

• SLPs: This conference provides 6.0 hours of professional development which count toward the Certification Maintenance Hours required to maintain ASHA certification.
• School District Employees: This conference provides 6 OSPI CECH