Effective Augmentative and Alternative Communication Practices: A Handbook for School-Based Practitioners

Effective Augmentative and Alternative Communication Practices provides a user-friendly handbook for any school-based practitioner, whether you are a special education teacher, an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) consultant, assistive technology consultant, speech language pathologist, or occupational therapist.

This highly practical book translates the AAC research into practice and explains the importance of the use of AAC strategies across settings. The handbook also provides school-based practitioners with resources to be used during the assessment, planning, and instructional process.

Table of Contents

UNIT 1: Students with Complex Communication Needs and the Instructional Team

1. Students with Complex Communication Needs
2. Understanding Communication Competencies
3. The Instructional Team
4. Identifying the Barriers in the Environment

UNIT 2: Assessment: The Student and The Communication System

5. Identifying the Student’s Present Level of Performance
6. Identifying the Student’s Literacy Skills
7. Defining and Identifying Unaided Communication Systems
8. Defining and Identifying Low Technology Aided Communication Systems
9. Defining and Identifying High Technology Aided Communication Systems

UNIT 3: Goal Setting and Implementation Practices

10. Goal Setting for Students with Complex Communication Needs
11. Implementation Practices for Students with Complex Communication Needs
12. Implementing Augmentative and Alternative Communication Across Settings

"Boesch and Da Fonte have synthesized what we know about implementing AAC in schools in a single cohesive book. An essential text for tomorrow’s professionals."
- Rajinder Koul, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, USA

"Thumbs up for Effective Augmentative and Alternative Communication Practices! Successfully filling a void in the field, Da Fonte and Boesch have masterfully covered pertinent issues in supporting children and youth with AAC needs in school settings. Indeed, this is a must-read for any practitioners from any number of disciplines providing school-based services to students with AAC needs."
- Ralf W. Schlosser, PhD, F-ASHA, F-AAIDD, F-ISAAC, Northeastern University, USA