May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month.

TechOWL, a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, will present a webinar series "Night Owl AAC Sessions," during National Speech-Language-Hearing Month.

Led by Speech Language Pathologists

• Speech Language Pathologists (SLPS) from the Institute will help participants enhance their AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) knowledge.
• Webinars are scheduled for Wednesdays in May, 2024. The free one-hour sessions start at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 1, May 8, May 15, May 22, and May 29.
• ACT 48 Credits will be offered.
• Registration is required for each webinar.

Accessibility and Accommodations

Zoom captioning will be available. To request reasonable accommodations, please email tue50065@temple.edu by April 17, 2024.

AAC Apps: Deep Dive and Demo

May 1, 2024 at 5 p.m.

This session will explore the features of popular AAC apps commonly borrowed from the Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology (AT) Lending Library.

Learn about:  

• AAC apps available from AT Lending Library
• Basic edits to AAC apps
• Differences between popular AAC apps

Finding and Funding AAC  

May 8, 2024 at 5 p.m.

How do you get an AAC device? Where do you start and what steps are involved? Learn about AAC assessment processes and submitting an insurance request for a speech-generating device. This session will focus on funding options available in Pennsylvania.

Learn about:

• Language needed for a speech-generating device insurance request
• The concept of medical necessity
• Potential funding sources for AAC in Pennsylvania

Explore More Than Core

May 15, 2024 at 5 p.m.

You have a funded device; how do you use it or support a new AAC user? Hear people talking about core vocabulary and fringe vocabulary, but unsure what that means? Having difficulty moving past core vocabulary, but not sure what to work on next? Join us while we explore the different vocabulary and discuss ways to move beyond core.

Learn About:

• The difference between core vocabulary and fringe vocabulary
• Ways to implement a newly funded device
• Ways to expand an AAC user's vocabulary and length of utterance

A Lifetime with AAC: Birth to School-Age

May 22, 2024 at 5 p.m.

As your child grows and learns more about the world around them, their communication needs will evolve. While it's great to introduce AAC during early intervention, how do you continue to support your child’s communication development as they transition into the school setting? Learn more about how to include AAC in the transition process and the supports available to your child, your family, and your team.

Learn about:

• Communication needs your child may have transitioning into the school setting
• Where to include AAC in your child's IFSP and IEP
• Supports available to teams when transitioning from early intervention to school

A Lifetime with AAC: School-Age to Adulthood

May 29, 2024 at 5 p.m.

What happens when an AAC user finishes school? How can we support continued AAC use and growth while navigating this transition into postsecondary life? Learn about tools, barriers, and strategies to support AAC users while transitioning out of school and other later-life transitions.

Learn About:  

• Barriers that exist for AAC users at different life stages
• Strategies to support an AAC user transitioning out of school
• Life transitions where an AAC user might need support
• Other transition-related goal for AAC users