Course Code: REL-RTS-0-AACIOA
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026
Learning Objectives:
Identify situations where the use of no-tech, light-tech, and high-tech AAC may be appropriate.
Categorize AAC communicators and effective communication strategies for each.
Identify AAC needs for anticipated communication improvement or decline using the three-phase intervention model.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: AAC Systems and Technology
Why It Matters
AAC Overview
Partner-Dependent and Independent AAC Communicators
Systems and Terminology
Selection Techniques
Review
Summary
Section 3: AAC Communicators: Assessment and Strategies
AAC Assessment
AAC Communication Strategies
Review
Summary
Section 4: AAC Interventions for Acquired Disabilities
Three-Phase Intervention Model
Expectation for Communication Improvement
Expectation for Communication Decline
Review
Summary
Section 5: ALS Case Study
John: Early Phase
John: Middle Phase
Evaluating John
Review
Establishing Treatment Goals
Treatment for John
John: Late Phase
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Writer: Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP
Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 40 years of experience. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Jacksonville State University and her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from The University of Alabama. She has provided care to clients across the lifespan with diverse diagnostic conditions in settings including school, hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, and home health settings. In her previous role as a national clinical director for a contract therapy company, she developed training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology focusing on clinical rehabilitation needs of older adults in post-acute care. Currently, she serves as the Lead Subject Matter Expert Writer for Speech-Language Pathology at Relias, where she leverages her clinical expertise and analysis of published research. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Subject Matter Expert: Kevin Caves, ATP, MEM, RET
Kevin Caves is a rehabilitation engineer at Duke University Medical Center. He is particularly interested in using technology to facilitate research and better the lives of people with disabilities. He performs research and development with assistive technologies for older people and for people with severe disabilities. Mr. Caves holds faculty appointments in the Department of Surgery at Duke University Medical Center and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. Additionally, he coordinates the Duke Assistive Technology Clinic which provides rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology services to people with disabilities at Duke University Medical Center. Mr. Caves also teaches senior design in the Department of Biomedical Engineering where his students have developed more than 200 custom assistive devices for people with disability. He has worked on many federally and state-funded grants on assistive technology and has presented nationally and internationally on computer access, environmental control, AAC, seating, positioning, mobility, and the integration of control of technologies.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Intermediate level Speech Language Pathologists; in the following settings: Skilled Nursing Facility.
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.