UIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY UNIT

5-Day Advanced PODD Workshop

Prerequisite: 2-3 day PODD introductory course

Presented by: Gayle Porter and Linda Burkhart

Gayle Porter presenting from behind a table with PODD books

June 26-30, 2023

8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Chicago, IL

Course Description

This course aims to build on current knowledge and fluency using PODD communication books for individuals who have begun to implement these strategies with students. Focus will be on building fluency, refining observational assessment and implementation planning skills, and strategies for training communication partners. The course will also provide opportunities for problem‐solving more complex challenges. Content will include case studies from participants.

Audience

This intensive advanced PODD workshop is for people who have completed a two or three day PODD Introductory workshop and are now seeking to further develop their knowledge and skill.

Completion of an advanced workshop provides participants with skills to deliver Practice using PODD communication partner training sessions for local team members on an ongoing basis. It does NOT qualify participants to deliver PODD introductory workshops. Certification as a PODD presenter is required to deliver PODD trainings for other professionals to select, customize and implement PODD communication systems. PODD presenter certification entails additional training and assessment to demonstrate experience and skills effectively implementing PODD with students.

Course Objectives

Following completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Explain the features of a range of PODD communication systems in terms of vocabulary organization, layout, design, range of access strategies, and customizing for individual requirements
Describe the reasons for the similarities and differences between PODD page sets deigned for communication books and speech generating devices.
Develop fluency using PODD to model language during natural interactions.
Communicate using PODD communication books with a range of different access methodologies
Use a dynamic assessment process to identify individual communication requirements and teaching-learning strategies
Describe different learning challenges for children who have severe physical, communication, and multiple needs (including CVI) and identify specific strategies to address these needs
Discuss the application of PODD for individuals with ASD.
Discuss the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems with students and team members
Teach communication partners to provide receptive input using PODD communication books
Teach children and partners to use PODD communication books in daily environments
Identify strategies to combat the challenges faced by professionals creating an aided language learning environment for children with a wide range of complex communication needs.
Answer frequently asked questions
Develop IEP goals and tools to measure the development of autonomous communication
Discuss strategies for developing communication accessible schools and communities.

Speakers

Gayle Porter (B.App Sc., MSPA ) is a speech pathologist with 41 years of hands-on experience working with people with complex communication needs. Gayle is a co-founder and senior speech pathologist at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre in Melbourne, Australia. She also has a private practice working with individuals with complex communication needs in their community. Gayle developed and has published resources on the Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) communication books and page-sets for speech generating devices. She has authored articles, publications, and chapters on Augmentative and Alternative Communication and cerebral palsy. Gayle is a highly sought-after international presenter.

Linda Burkhart (BS, APC) is an internationally known teacher and leader in assistive technology and augmentative communication for children with severe challenges. She has developed numerous adapted materials and innovative strategies for using these devices with children. She authored several books and software titles on topics of assistive technology and augmentative communication. Linda was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. For eight years, she worked as an Augmentative Communication and Assistive Technology Specialist for the Center for Technology in Education – a joint project between Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland State Department of Education. Currently, Linda works as a private consultant and technology integration specialist.

Course Information and Registration

Location

University of Illinois Chicago

Specific campus location to be determined.

Meals

Lunch will be provided each day along with light refreshments. Please note any dietary restrictions when registering.

Please make lodging accommodations directly with the hotel of your choice. These suggestions are closer to the university's west campus.

Accommodation Suggestions

Chicago Marriott at Medical District/UIC

625 South Ashland Avenue

Chicago, IL 60607

312-491-1234

Hyatt House Chicago – Medical/University District

1835 W Harrison St.

Chicago, IL 60612

312-341-1234

Hyatt House Chicago / West Loop-Fulton Market

105 N May St.

Chicago, IL 60607

312-492-0000

Continuing Education

All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of the workshop. CEUs are available through the Institute on Disability and Human Development at UIC. The Institute is licensed by the Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide CEUs to people in Illinois in occupational and physical therapy, speech-language pathology, social work, teaching, clinical psychology, nursing, and to qualified intellectual disabilities professionals (QIDPs). Please contact your state or national licensing body for approval if from outside of Illinois. We will not provide ASHA CEUs, however the hours for the course qualify as Professional Development Hours and count towards ASHA Certification Maintenance. More information regarding acceptable activities for professional development can be found on ASHA’s website.

Registration Rates

Registration Type	Received by:	Cost
Early bird	April 1, 2023	$1150
Full Price	May 1, 2023	$1450
Parent/Caregiver	May 1, 2023	$950

Limited seats. Register early!

Please register online

A Note About the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

All participants will be required to follow the Illinois and University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) COVID mitigation guidelines in place at the time of the workshop. Coronavirus updates for UIC can be found at https://today.uic.edu/coronavirus.

Please contact Stephanie Bay at 312.995.2353 or sbay2@uic.edu with any questions.

Funding provided in whole or in part by The Autism Program of Illinois and the IL Department of Human Services.

Sponsored by the Assistive Technology Unit and the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago.