Tech for Tiny Talkers: Incorporating AAC Into Early Intervention Services

This session will outline the principles of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), providing attendees with a clear understanding of its purpose and functionality for children on the autism spectrum. A literature review arguing for AAC during Early Intervention (EI) will be shared. The presentation will feature a case study of a 2-year-old child on the autism spectrum and her family that illustrates how the introduction of AAC facilitated significant progress in communication skills and enriched the child’s language development and social interactions. Participants will leave with actionable insights on identifying appropriate AAC strategies, tools, and service resources and an understanding of the benefits for the inclusion of AAC in IE services.   Presented By: Stephanie Bay, Ph.D. CCC-SLP, ATP, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago. RECORDED ON APRIL 29, 2025