Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC); Assessing and Designing Interventions to Address Complex Communication Needs

October 18, 2025

From

9:15 am

to

11:15 am

Abstract

Supporting individuals with complex communication needs through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) requires a thoughtful and individualized approach. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), and allied professionals all play a critical role in guiding AAC assessment and intervention. However, traditional assessment models often overlook important contextual and socio-ecological factors that influence communication outcomes. A dynamic assessment approach accompanied by an effective collaborative practice will promote designing comprehensive, person-centered, culturally responsive interventions to support individuals with complex communication needs. This presentation introduces the Applied Model of Interprofessional Collaboration – Assessment (AMIC–A), a process-oriented framework designed to promote collaborative, person-centered AAC assessment and intervention planning and the Applied Model of Interprofessional Collaboration – Meeting (AMIC-M), a model that provide you with a practical roadmap and guidelines to carefully and confidently navigate an uneven and sometimes weed-ridden terrain where successful interprofessional collaboration paves a new road to achievement. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of the AMIC–A and AMIC-M, and practical strategies for implementation. Through interactive visuals and real-world case studies, this session will highlight how an interprofessional, contextually responsive approach can lead to more personalized, meaningful, and effective AAC interventions.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify two key limitations of traditional AAC assessment practices.
  2. Describe the four steps of the AMIC–A model and how they guide assessment across individual, partner, context, and system levels.
  3. Identify the four key questions to ask when implementing the AMIC–M model that may help in conflict resolution paving the way for shared goals and intervention processes.