Overview

This webinar is brought to you by APS PIDA & CAFIG and AGOSCI.

This 90-minute webinar will provide an introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), with a focus on practical communication partner strategies for psychologists and other clinicians supporting people who may not rely on spoken words alone to meet all of their communication needs.

Attendees will develop an understanding of the many ways people communicate, explore evidence-informed approaches to supporting effective communication, and gain practical strategies for creating more inclusive and accessible clinical interactions.

The session will be co-presented by Elizabeth Lea (speech pathologist working in the area of AAC), and Meredith Allan (an experienced AAC user and National Treasurer of ISAAC Australia). Meredith will draw on lived experience and stories that highlight the frustrations, sadness and joys that can accompany communicating using AAC, including experiences within healthcare and clinical settings.

Together, Elizabeth and Meredith will explore the diversity of AAC, from gesture, sign, facial expression and writing through to communication boards, speech-generating devices and eye gaze technology. Attendees will be asked to consider the important role communication partners play in enabling meaningful participation in their context. The session will also acknowledge practical barriers to accessing AAC, including cost and inequitable access to funding and supports.

Through this combination of professional expertise and lived experience, attendees will gain practical ideas they can apply in their own work and a deeper appreciation of how psychologists and other clinicians could support communication access, autonomy and person-centred care. This webinar is intended as a starting point for an ongoing conversation about communication access in psychology, including how we can work towards more equitable access to psychological services for people who may not rely on spoken words alone to meet all Registration includes... of their communication needs.

Have a question for our presenters? Submit it ahead of the event using the link below, giving our presenters the opportunity to prepare their responses and support everyone to participate fully in the discussion.

https://s.zoom.us/m/bPlRzehpg

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

• Identify a range of ways people may communicate and convey information, including through speech, gesture, facial expression, writing and AAC systems.
• Describe key principles for supporting effective and inclusive communication with people who may not rely on spoken words alone to meet all of their communication needs.
• Apply at least three practical communication partner strategies to support communication, participation and autonomy within psychological and other clinical settings.

Presenter(s)

About the presenter(s)

Elizabeth Lea is a speech pathologist who has worked across schools, disability support services and private practice. She established The Communication Toolbox 15 years ago to support children and adults to learn about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Elizabeth provides therapy supports for NDIS participants, consultancy regarding assistive technology for communication, and coaching for speech pathologists. She is passionate about creating excitement around communication and takes having fun with AAC very seriously.

Meredith Allan is National Treasurer of ISAAC-Australia and a former President of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). She worked in the Australian Public Service for almost 30 years before retiring from full-time work.

Meredith now works on a casual basis as a Communication Assessor and Disability Educator with Scope in Victoria, contributing to the assessment process for organisations seeking the Communication Access Symbol. She was appointed to the Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) in 2022 and completed her term on 31 December 2024.

Meredith uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to communicate and takes great joy in seeing other people who use AAC grow in confidence and take on leadership roles. Drawing on her own experiences and those of the AAC community, Meredith brings an important lived-experience perspective to communication access and inclusion. Outside of her work and advocacy, Meredith enjoys reading, going to the football, church, and spending time with family and friends.

Notes

Target Audience

This activity is aimed at Psychologists and allied clinicians working with or supporting children, adolescents and adults who who may not rely on spoken words alone to meet all of their communication needs. Suitable for early career through to experienced clinicians and researchers. Aims to support psychologists wanting to work towards Competency 7.9 (understanding of AAC).

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the Zoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, event-recording, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will be recorded. The recording will be emailed to all registered within 2 weeks post event and available for viewing up to 90 days.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.