The North Carolina Speech, Hearing & Language Association (NCSHLA) is proud to present an advanced symposium focused on Augmentative and Alternative Communication Across the Lifespan. This one-day in person event will be offered at the Lusk Center in Greensboro, NC. This program features presentations related to AAC evaluations and use from a parent, therapist, and user perspective, device options and funding methods, practical use within the classroom, and ethics.
Up to 5.0 Professional Development Hours (PDH) and 0.50 ASHA CEUs will be offered for attendees of sessions 1, 2, 3, and 5. Session 4 will be filed as a separate course dedicated as an Ethics ASHA CEU offering for 1.0 PDHs and 0.15 ASHA CEUs.
Schedule:
8:00-9:00: Check in; mingle with exhibitors
9:00 - 10:00 am SESSION 1: A Mother’s Journey: Embracing AAC for My Child’s Voice by: Alicia Kinzer
Description: This session offers therapists a firsthand look at the fears, challenges, and breakthroughs experienced by a parent navigating AAC for the first time. Attendees will gain valuable insight into building strong, empathetic partnerships with families and supporting authentic communication growth through AAC all from the lenses of an educator and parent.
10:00 am-12:00 pm SESSION 2: Eating the AAC Evaluation Elephant One Bite At A Time! by: Patricia Byers, M.S., CCC-SLP
Description: Have you ever felt overwhelmed when a non-speaking student comes to your school/clinic? You want to help this student find his/her own voice, but where do you begin? How do you assess a student who cannot verbalize an answer to your question? In this two-hour presentation, we will examine all aspects of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) evaluation process including learning about formal and informal assessment tools, inspecting low-tech, mid-tech and high-tech AAC systems for implementation with students, and exploring ways to write relevant AAC therapy goals.
12:45 pm-1:45 pm SESSION: Unlock the Power of AAC: Practical Plans That Work By: Samantha Hagness M.S., CCC-SLP and Becky Woolley C-SLPA, ATP
Description: Ready to boost AAC use without adding stress to you or the staff you support? This session gives SLPs a clear roadmap for creating simple, effective AAC implementation plans that actually stick. Learn how to support teams with realistic, documented strategies that increase AAC buy-in and build communication partner confidence. We’ll show you how to make AAC use obvious, easy, and sustainable while highlighting strategies that help overcome common barriers.
1:45 pm-2:45 pm: Time in exhibit hall with hands-on device exploration
Time: 2:45 – 4:15 pm SESSION 4: Ethics in Action: AAC & Neuro-Affirming Practices by: Jessie Mewshaw, M.S., CCC-SLP**Ethics
This session will be filed as a specific course to ASHA Continuing Education to fulfill the Ethics related continuing education requirement
Description: In the field of speech-language pathology, our ethical obligations extend beyond clinical accuracy—they call us to honor autonomy, dignity & identity in every interaction. This session explores how the ASHA Code of Ethics intersects with neurodiversity-affirming approaches & augmentative & alternative communication (AAC). Participants will examine how to provide ethical, person-centered support that respects communicative rights & fosters authentic self-expression, particularly for autistic individuals & multimodal communicators. Through case examples, research, discussion, & evidence-informed strategies, attendees will gain practical tools to align their AAC interventions with both neuro-affirming practice & core ethical principles. Ideal for both practicing clinicians & graduate students, this session aims to deepen understanding & elevate everyday clinical decision-making.
NCSHLA Presents: AACross the Lifespan: Empowering Voices from Birth to Adulthood
4:15 - 5:15 pm: An AAC User’s Perspective By: Brionna Miller
Description: Brionna, an AAC user, will share her personal journey with augmentative and alternative communication. Brionna will offer insight into her experience learning to use AAC devices, how she communicates in daily life, and the challenges and triumphs she has encountered while navigating the world through AAC. This firsthand perspective will provide valuable context for speech-language pathologists supporting AAC users, with an emphasis on empowerment, accessibility, and authentic communication.
