This training is designed for anyone working with children who have difficulty due to physical challenges with directly accessing the symbols on a PODD communication book.  Alternative Access methods will include: eye-gaze, partner-assisted visual scanning, partner-assisted auditory scanning, partner-assisted auditory plus visual scanning, coded access, or a combination of access methods.  This training will also address strategies for children who have visual challenges such as Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) that may limit their ability to select symbols on a direct access PODD book.  A section on how to write and measure communication goals related to all uses of PODD will also be included.

Participants will be able to:

• Discuss the differences in layout and design for different access methods and alternative presentations of PODD books for individuals with additional physical and/or visual challenges.
• Explain strategies for modeling alternative access and alternative presentation for teaching children and their communication partners how to use them
• Customize IEP goals and measurement tools for children using any type of PODD communication book

*This training requires previous completion of an official 2 or 3 Day Introductory PODD workshop. 

Friday, September 7, 2018

8:00     Alternative Access methods (eye-gaze, partner-assisted visual scanning)
9:45     Morning break
10:00   Alternative Access methods (combination, coded, partner-assisted auditory plus visual and auditory scanning)
11:30   Lunch
12:30   Scaffolding interactions – Additional prompts & cues
Developing operational skills
2:15     Afternoon break
2:30     Communication partner learning
Writing and Measuring goals
Tips and hints to get started
3:45     Discussion/Question and Answer
4:00     Finish

Faculty:      Linda Burkhart is an internationally known leader in the field of assistive technology for children with severe challenges.  She has developed numerous adapted switches and innovative strategies for using these devices with children.  She is the author of a number of books and software titles on topics of assistive technology and augmentative communication.

Linda was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. Then for eight years, she worked as an Augmentative Communication and Assistive Technology Specialist for the Center for Technology in Education – a joint project between the Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland State Department of Education. Currently, Linda works as a private consultant and technology integration specialist.

Financial Disclosures: Linda owns a small business to sell her own software activities and books. These items are demonstrated at her trainings, along with other software titles from a variety of vendors. Linda consults with vendors to assess the effectiveness of features for scanning access in their software and devices. She is colleague of Gayle Porter, the creator and designer of PODD communication books in Melbourne, Australia. When presenting workshops on the topic of PODD and Communication Access Strategies Linda receives honorariums from sponsoring organizations.

Non-Financial Disclosures: Linda is a member of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

Sponsored by: P.G. Chambers School

This course is offered for .65 ASHA CEUs

(Intermediate level; Professional area)

Cost:       $200

How to Register:  Register online below or contact Nancy Altshuler, Conference Coordinator at AltshulerN@ChambersSchool.org