This recorded dialogue features speech-language pathologist Ashley Larisey and educational specialist Kate Ahern, who discuss strategies and ideas for engaging middle and high school students and for supporting AAC learning at home for students of all ages.

The exchange was recorded at the 2021 online conference "Expanding AAC: Accessible Strategies for Functional Communication" and is a companion to two recorded sessions from the conference: Developing Engaging AAC Sessions for Secondary and Post-Secondary Students (Ashley Larisey, MS, CCC-SLP) and There’s No Place Like Home: Supporting AAC at Home (Kate R. Ahern, MS). The dialogue was moderated by Adena Dacy, MS, CCC-SLP.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Identify strategies for maintaining connection and communication with parents of children who use AAC
• Describe strategies for supporting self-advocacy with students who use AAC
• Describe strategies for fostering peer relationships for students who use AAC

Related Courses

View all courses from the Expanding AAC:Accessible Strategies for Functional Communication online conference.

Presenter Information

Ashley Larisey, MS, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist who graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology/Human Services and a masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Larisey’s work experiences over the past 10 years include public and private therapeutic day schools, private speech/language clinics, and early intervention. Larisey also serves as an adjunct clinical supervisor at Saint Xavier University and teaches a module specific to the use of technology in the field of speech-language pathology. Larisey specializes in working with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disorders. In addition, Larisey has extensive experience working with children and adults who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Employee of Community High School District 218 
• Adjunct Faculty at Saint Xavier University 
• Income from Teachers Pay Teachers store

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• ASHA member 
• Affiliate of ASHA SIG 12

Kate R. Ahern, MS, is an educational specialist in complex communication needs in private practice. She is certified as an intensive special needs teacher for ages birth through adult in Massachusetts. Ahern has vast experience in the field of assistive technology with children and young adults. She has spent more than 20 years working with children and young adults who have complex communication needs. She is also the author of a popular special education blog and moderates several social media groups about augmentative and alternative communication. Ahern is often asked to guest speak or provide training about many issues in the field of complex communication needs. She holds a Master's of Science in Special Education from Simmons College. She is the recipient of the Federation for Children with Special Needs Inclusive Teacher Award and a Fighting Angels from the Fighting Angels Foundation.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from private clients, schools districts, and disability agencies 
• Honoraria for speaking engagements, as well as reimbursement for expenses encountered during those engagements 
• Sometimes receives free publications or apps from companies in exchange for honest reviews or consultation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Member of USAAC and ISAAC 
• Provides periodic feedback to the Cognixion company 
• Certified intensive special education teacher in the state of Massachusetts

Adena Dacy, MS, CCC-SLP, is an Associate Director of Clinical Issues in Speech-Language Pathology at ASHA.

Financial Disclosures:

• ASHA employee

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by August 20, 2027.

Program History and CE Information

Content origination date: May 2021
End date: August 20, 2027

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).