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October Newsletter

PaTTAN Speech Language Initiate

October Newsletter PaTTAN Speech Language Initiate

In This Month's Newsletter

Information in the Newsletter


  • The topic of the Month - AAC Awareness Month
  • Upcoming Training
  • Highlighted Training in Other Initiatives
  • Highlighted PaTTAN Resource
  • Highlight Non- PaTTAN Resources
  • Save the Dates
  • Past Newsletters

This Month's Topic - Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

October is AAC Awareness Month!

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to the way we communicate in ways other than verbal speech. For individuals with severe disabilities, we delve deeper into how ideas are expressed using a range of tools and strategies as part of an AAC system comprised of no-, low- and high-tech strategies and devices. As speech-language pathologists in the schools, we also consider how to help students develop the language and literacy skills needed to become independent communicators, as well as access curriculum content. This month we've highlighted a few resources for learning more or tools you can use today.


We also want to dedicate this month's newsletter to Rick Creech who was the PaTTAN Consultant who assisted with PaTTAN's Short-term Loan Program and a passionate advocate for communication. In his speech to Congress in 2017, he shared "There can be no social engagement with others without interactive communication." His words and the fundamental communication rights outlined by the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities are powerful reminders of the importance of communication. A picture-supported accessible version of the Communication Bill of Rights is also available.


The 40-minute video below was from the Project MAX Summer Institute in 2014 when Rick presented on the importance of vocabulary. The transcript is available at http://bit.ly/rickcreech.

Rick's Speech

Upcoming Training Opportunity

HELIX Conference 2022 November 14-16 in person at state college and virtual
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HELIX Conference

Join us to celebrate high expectations for students with low incidence disabilities and to support school staff and families who are working hard to make those expectations a reality in our current school environments.


Here are a few things to look forward to...


  • AT/AAC strand speakers include: Dr. Janet Sturm, Sarah Gregory, and Sharon Redmon
  • HELIX Connect Exhibitors include: ACCI, Forbes AAC, PRC-Saltillo, Tobii DynaVox, and Smartbox

Training and Resources From Other Initiatives

the words "AAC Talks" in a speech bubble
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Save the Date! AAC Talks is scheduled for May 12, 2023

AAC Talks web conference designed to provide practical ideas, strategies, and resources for making connections and engaging students with complex communication needs.


More to come on www.pattan.net or www.bit.ly/AACTalks

POWER stands for partner, opportunities, words, evidence, resources in A.A.C.
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POWER: AAC Modules

POWER: AAC is a training series developed by PaTTAN with Gail Van Tatenhove, CCC-SLP. Gail, a speech/language pathologist with over thirty years of experience in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), has collaborated with AAC practitioners in Pennsylvania intermediate units over the course of several years on this project. Modules can be completed independently (www.bit.ly/POWER:AAC) or when they are offered as part of a training series.
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On-demand PaTTAN videos and webinars about AAC

The PaTTAN offers a multitude of ways to access information about AAC related to school-based SLP practice.

Highlighted Resources for Additional Learning

Free information and evidence-based training that coordinates with the targets of PaTTAN's SL initiative and responds to the questions that we receive from the field.
ASHA Leader, Volume 9, Issue 17, September 2004
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Integrating AAC Into the Classroom

This ASHA Leader article offers relevant information on the role of the IEP team and practical examples for integrating low- to high-tech AAC into various school activities, including arrival/departure, literacy, social studies, math, sharing, and lunch.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association logo
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ASHA's Practice Portal - Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a central role in the screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of those who require AAC intervention. ASHA's Practice Portal offers infomation on a range of topics, including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Although the scope of the page is AAC across the life span, it also highlights content for school-based SLPs.

OCALI Assistive Technology Internet Modules
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Using the WATI Assessment Process - Communication (free modules)

This three-part module series is designed assist teams in using the WATI Assistive Technology Decision-Making Guide for Communication. Information for assessing a student's need for assistive technology for communication can be found on the WATI website.

Highlighted Resources to Use Now

Free resources you can use TODAY!
Checklist of Communicative Functions and Means
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Checklist of Communicative Means and Functions

The "Communicative Function" or reason for communicating can be expressed through any number of actions, behaviors, or "Communication Means." It can be helpful to use the Checklist of Communicative Functions and Means (Wetherby, 1995) to identify how and when a student communicates.
The Dynamic Goals Grid 2
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Dynamic AAC Goals Grid-2 (DAGG-2)

The Dynamic AAC Goals Grid-2 (DAGG-2) is a tool for assessing and describing an AAC user across two domains, communication skill level, and communicative competence. It is designed to guide the team's consideration of the multitude of factors that contribute to successful AAC implementation.


This tools was featured in the AAC Talks 2021 session What it Takes to Talk Navigating Dynamic AAC Assessment.

School Year of Core Vocabulary Words
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School Year of Core Vocabulary Words

The School Year of Core Words series has two levels of monthly vocabulary words along with ideas, resources, and materials. Levels 1 and 2 contain distinctly different sets of words. Level 1 is a foundational compilation of 158 words and Level 2 contains 161 words that build upon and beyond the foundation.

October Newsletter Lead: Tammy Thompson-Cooke

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FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL SL CONSULTANT OR THE STATELEAD.

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PaTTAN Speech Language
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