AAC STUDY DAY

CONTINUUM OF LEARNING
for Children using AAC

Presented by

Tracy Kovach PhD, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication and Learning Enhancement Program,
The Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado, USA

Tracy Kovach

27 September 2006
University of Leicester

About the Study Day

    This Study Day will present a set of guidelines called ‘Continuum of Learning’, for the intervention and instruction of children using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, and working toward the development of communicative competence. 

    The presenter will be Dr Tracy Kovach who has 30 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Augmentative Communication Specialist working with children who have complex communication needs. She has published in the area of auditory scanning and development of children's language using a storybook reading approach. Her work experience has been in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals and private practice. Dr Kovach is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Dept of Paediatrics and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado. She is currently serving on Executive Committee of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) and is a two-time past president of the USA national ISAAC chapter.

What is ‘Continuum of Learning’?

    ‘Continuum of Learning’ has been developed and is being used at The Children's Hospital in Denver, CO, USA. It enables therapists, educators, and families to identify ‘skill sets’ representing a child's abilities and needs within specific ‘areas of learning’. These areas of learning are based on the four competency areas defined by Janice Light (1989): operational, linguistic, social, and strategic. Five skill sets within each of these four areas are identified. Each skill set represents an increment of increased skill development toward mastery of a competency area. As a child progresses in development of specific skills, the context of their learning opportunities may change. Thus the instructional context and those responsible for instruction or facilitation within that context can be determined.

    ‘Continuum of Learning’ is not an assessment tool or a prescribed program. Rather, it provides a ‘roadmap’ identifying communication skills and abilities, desired outcomes and additional skills needed to achieve communicative competencies using AAC. It also provides needed guidelines for intervention and instruction and ways to measure progress that can be used by all stakeholders involved in the process of developing communication competence for children using AAC systems.

Who is the day for?

    The ‘Continuum of Learning’ study day should be attended by everyone supporting, or working with, children who use augmentative and alternative communication. Speech & language therapists, teachers, key workers and parents will, in particular, benefit from attending this comprehensive and informative day.

    It is often difficult to describe to parents the ‘big picture’ for intervention and instruction of children who are just beginning to use AAC systems. Likewise, it is also difficult for therapists and teachers to have a clear picture of the direction their intervention should take and areas in which it should focus. Without this vision, it is difficult to coordinate services for children using AAC systems so that all service providers and families are maximizing their efforts and working toward the same outcomes. ‘Continuum of Learning’ guides or suggests the course of intervention and instruction in the area of AAC development for children with complex communication needs.
    During the study day, the specific components of ‘Continuum of Learning’ will be defined and described. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to use the ‘skill set guidelines’ to determine skills of children presented on videotape. It would be desirable for participants who work together in a team with a particular child, to have that child in mind and to use the guidelines provided for determining that child's skills as they relate to the skill sets defined. Participant discussion and feedback related to the usefulness of this tool will also be included in the presentation.

    Click here for examples of the use of ‘Continuum of Learning’

How much does it cost?

  • Delegate Rate: £95 (£85 if paying before 31 July)
  • Reduced Rate: £50 for people who use AAC or family member

    How do I register?