UIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY UNIT

Teaching Movements for Communication

Accessing AAC for Children Who Have Complex Communication Needs

Presented by: Claire Cotter, Gayle Porter, and Linda Burkhart

June 19-23, 2023

8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Chicago, IL

Course Description

For some children with complex communication needs, it is the method of accessing the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system that is significantly affecting their development of intelligible, autonomous communication. These children, who have significant physical and/or sensory challenges, often need to learn movements to access (electronic and non-electronic) AAC systems, produce early communication signals, gestures or signs. This intensive five-day workshop will provide participants with an in-depth opportunity to explore the movement differences associated with cerebral palsy, other significant neurological movement impairments (e.g., Rett Syndrome, Pitt Hopkins, and Cri Du Chat), and severe sensory processing challenges. There will be a focus on identifying these posture and movement challenges in relation to their impact on communication development, assessment and intelligibility. A range of strategies and a process to teach movements for communication will be demonstrated.

Audience

Attendance will be most effective for teams who are working with children who have severe physical and sensory challenges and are struggling to access augmentative communication systems (electronic and non-electronic) and gestural communication. Teams may include speech language pathologists, educators, physical therapists, occupational therapists, family members, school leadership, and support personnel. However, it will also be of significant value and give direction and knowledge to individual therapists, educators and family members. It would be helpful, but not a requirement, for one of the members of the team to have previously attended an Introductory PODD (Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display) communication training.

Course Objectives

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

Identify the role of movement in communication,
Identify the communication and cognitive assessment challenges for individuals who have sensory motor challenges and complex communication needs
Describe the key movement issues that affect the development of all graded movement including that required for intelligible communication
Observe and analyze movements for children whose motor and/or sensory processing challenges affect their development of intelligible communication
Explain how to accommodate for challenging postural control
Explain how to develop sensory and motor control of selective movements
Describe an intervention process for developing movements and operational competencies for more intelligible, independent, autonomous communication, and
Assess and teach movements for communication using gesture, non-electronic and electronic AAC systems including direct pointing, eye-gaze, and scanning access methods

Speakers

Claire Cotter (B.AppSc. (OT), Dip. CE Hon, OTR) is an occupational therapist with 44 years experience in this field. She is the manager and co-founder of the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre in Melbourne, Australia. She is committed to the best possible outcomes for families who are raising a child with cerebral palsy and other neurological disabilities. With expertise in teaching motor control, addressing sensory processing challenges, developmental play and technology for children with neurological impairments, she addresses the sensorimotor challenges to communication access. Claire coordinates a wide range of professional development opportunities across the sector and contributes to published research papers and online resources (visit www.cpec.org.au). She regularly presents papers and workshops.

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, course hours 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	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

Participants are required to provide proof of COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test result no more than 72 hours prior to the start of the workshop. 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.