Michigan AAC Conference – Final Schedule
Michigan AAC Conference – Thursday 5/14/2015
9:00 – 9:45
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Dana Nieder – Keynote Presentation
o Dana Nieder is a parent and AAC advocate who blogs about her family's experience with AAC at Uncommon Sense
(http://niederfamily.blogspot.com/). Dana encourages parents and support teams to give their AAC learners LOTS of language
and presume competence.
10:00 – 11:15
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Mary Purtee – Using Core Vocabulary to Develop Competent Communicators
o Learn how to use core vocabulary to transform communication environments, communication partners, and outcomes for AAC
users! Examples will be shared about how a core vocabulary approach is being implemented with individual students, whole
classrooms, and in an entire center-based school, along with data to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. Planning,
implementation and assessment tools will be shared with participants.
Ken Grisham – Literacy Tools in a Multi-Platform Environment
o As the pace of information and communications technologies have accelerated, the challenges of integrating multiple
technology hardware and software platforms into every aspect of our lives is more complex than ever. Nowhere is this more
obvious than our classrooms. There is a dizzying array of workstations, mobile devices and portable computers, combined with
software programs and applications that are often incompatible and only usable on selected devices. Finally, Premier Literacy
has addressed the issue of how to deliver common learning technologies across multiple platforms.
With Premier’s Multi-Platform Plus, you now have the ability to use a comprehensive platform of assistive tools for reading,
writing and studying across multiple technology devices, including those most popular in schools today, namely, Chromebooks,
iPads and even Android-based tablets along with the long-standing proven literacy technologies are still available in the
Windows and Macintosh-based environments.
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This will be a LIVE demonstration showing Premier's Multi-Platform literacy tools running common functionality and navigation
across Chromebook, iPad and Android tablet devices.
Robin Pegg/Rachael Langley – Designing Switch Accessible Learning Environments
o This presentation will offer participants a general overview how to create curriculum access using switches and simple voice
output communication devices.
Jennifer Marden – Getting Started with ProloQuo2Go
o Since 2009, Proloquo2Go® has provided access to affordable, flexible, state-of-the-art communication on the iPad, iPhone, and
iPod touch. Proloquo2Go has had 6 years of free updates, each adding new features to improve communication for our users
and ease of customization for parents, therapists, and teachers.
If you're new to Proloquo2Go and are wondering what this app can do, this session is for you! Come learn the basics of what
Proloquo2Go has to offer those a wide range of communicators from those just starting to make picture-based choices to those
those using ready to use spelling and word prediction to make their thoughts known.
Michigan AAC Conference – Thursday 5/14/2015 - 2
12:15 – 1:30
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Kindy Segovia – AAC: Integrating with Classrooms and Curriculum
o AAC implementation often gets “stuck” on the basics - wants and needs or limited and predictable responses. However
classroom participation involves so much more! AAC users must have opportunities to access curricular activities and
instructional materials, participate in expression of understanding and progress monitoring, and be involved in conversation
and interaction. Join us to walk through how SLP’s, other itinerant staff and special education teachers can work as a team to
ensure the AAC user has a fully inclusive experience.
Amy Ortego – Have a Seat! Postural Support for Communication
o This session will highlight the importance of optimal postural support for use of an augmentative communicaiton device. Some
product demos (wheelchairs and seating) will be available.
Julie Kushman – Cortical Visual Impairment: Why can’t you see it?
o Ninety percent of information processed by the brain is done visually. Dr. Christine Roman's research has shown an increase of
visual function to Phase III (near normal vision) within 3.7 years. Each student needs materials that match their visual
experiences and accommodations to their environments to provide an appropriate intervention. This seminar will define CVI,
discuss the 10 characteristics, and give examples for interventions. We will also discuss apps and technology that will benefit
your students with or without a visual impairment.
Jamie Munro – Using Switches with the iPad
o This session will look at using switches with the iPad. It will look at the range of interfaces available and how they are set up
with the IPad. The session will look at both the switch access that is built into the IOS, and using switches with Apps that have
switch access built into them and the differences between the two methods. It will also cover a range of Apps designed to
develop switch access skills.
1:45 – 3:00
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Laura Taylor – Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display: An Introduction to PODD
o PODD - Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display is a low-tech language-learning system for children with complex
communication needs. PODD is based in Aided Language Stimulation/Input techniques that mimic typical language
development in children. Join me to find out what PODD is all about!
Amy Ortego – Have a Seat! Postural Support for Communication
o This session will highlight the importance of optimal postural support for use of an augmentative communicaiton device. Some
product demos (wheelchairs and seating) will be available.
Rachael Langley – Ongoing Support: The AAC Team
o Selecting an AAC system is just the first step to supporting communication for complex communicators. It is critical to have ongoing training and support to make meaningful change in communication skill. In this session, we will discuss building an AAC
team, baby steps for successful implementation, making data collection easier, and what key questions should be asked in
follow-up meetings.
Kindy Segovia – Break out of the Boardmaker box! Visual Supports you need!
o With so much technology at our fingertips, it’s time to look at the many options for finding and making visual supports. Join us
to explore some no cost and low cost tools that will help you find visuals, templates, icons, literacy supports and more. We will
look at resources for everything from communication boards, visual schedules, social stories and content supports that you can
use and share with parents. Even if you love Boardmaker….you will want these tools!
Michigan AAC Conference – Friday 5/15/2015
9:00 – 9:45
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Chris Klein – Keynote Presentation
o Chris Klein is a voice to those that have none and helping hand to those with disabilities, even though he was born with cerebral
palsy and uses augmentative communication to help him interact with the rest of the world. Over the past four years, Chris has
been working closely with people that use AAC.
10:00 – 11:15
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Mary Purtee – Using Core Vocabulary to Develop Competent Communicators
o Learn how to use core vocabulary to transform communication environments, communication partners, and outcomes for AAC
users! Examples will be shared about how a core vocabulary approach is being implemented with individual students, whole
classrooms, and in an entire center-based school, along with data to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. Planning,
implementation and assessment tools will be shared with participants.
Ken Grisham – Literacy Tools in a Multi-Platform Environment
o As the pace of information and communications technologies have accelerated, the challenges of integrating multiple
technology hardware and software platforms into every aspect of our lives is more complex than ever. Nowhere is this more
obvious than our classrooms. There is a dizzying array of workstations, mobile devices and portable computers, combined with
software programs and applications that are often incompatible and only usable on selected devices. Finally, Premier Literacy
has addressed the issue of how to deliver common learning technologies across multiple platforms.
With Premier’s Multi-Platform Plus, you now have the ability to use a comprehensive platform of assistive tools for reading,
writing and studying across multiple technology devices, including those most popular in schools today, namely, Chromebooks,
iPads and even Android-based tablets along with the long-standing proven literacy technologies are still available in the
Windows and Macintosh-based environments.


This will be a LIVE demonstration showing Premier's Multi-Platform literacy tools running common functionality and navigation
across Chromebook, iPad and Android tablet devices.
Karen Tibbs – “Pierce” Functional Communication Device Screening (PFCDS)
o This presentation will offer participants a general overview of what to consider when selecting communication devices. The
areas that this session will target are visual perceptual skills, visual/motor skills, developmental stages for sign language and
cognition. We will explore training for communication devices for acute disabilities versus chronic disabilities.
Jennifer Marden – Proloquo2Go 4: What’s New?
o Since 2009, Proloquo2Go® has provided access to affordable, flexible, state-of-the-art communication on the iPad, iPhone, and
iPod touch. In 2015, we will release another free update, 4.0. This update is packed with new features:
- Multilevel vocabulary for basic, intermediate, and advanced communicators, built on core word research
- Improved support for motor planning needs, with consistent vocabulary placement on fringe pages
- Create activity specific pages quickly with templates built on core word and motor planning principles
- Expanded grammar support - more verb conjugations, and inflections for pronouns and adjectives
If you have used Proloquo2Go in the past and want to find out more about what Proloquo2Go 4 has to offer, this session is for
you!
Michigan AAC Conference – Friday 5/15/2015- 2
12:15 – 1:30
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Laura Taylor – Using PODD Throughout the Day
o How can I infuse PODD (Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display) communication throughout my day? Is there a specific time
of the day I should be "doing" PODD? Join me to find out how we can use PODD ALL DAY LONG to promote language
development in children with complex communication needs!
Ronda Glowaty – Working Directly in the Cloud with Literacy Tools
o In recent years, with the explosion of access to the Internet, there has been an accelerating migration to storing and using
information in the “Cloud”. Use of services such as Google Drive, One Drive and Dropbox have skyrocketed along with
corresponding software utilization.
With those services come the operational and navigational challenges of managing information and software that is stored
outside of an organization’s physical control. Premier Literacy Cloud Connect offerings now allow you to work directly and
seamlessly with any information stored in the Cloud.
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This session will be a LIVE presentation of Premier Literacy’s Cloud Connect features included in our suite of literacy tools to
demonstrate the ease of working directly with Cloud-based files for students and educators from virtually anywhere and the
benefits of those enhanced capabilities.
Mary Purtee – Developing Communicative Competence and Literacy for AAC Users for Emergent Communicators and Beyond
o Do you find it a challenge to write goals, plan interventions and develop supports for AAC users that balance developing both
competent communicators and literate AAC users? So did we! Come learn how to use a framework that helps keep AAC users
moving forward towards becoming more competent communicators while developing literacy skills. Participants will receive
copies of the framework to support students in pre-school through 5th grade that can easily be adapted for older students.
Jamie Munro – Using Eye Gaze: From Cause & Effect to Communication
o Eye gaze has traditionally been used only with able AAC users on dedicated communication devices. The introduction of
inexpensive eye gaze peripherals that can be used with standard desktop and laptop computers has led to eye gaze being used
with a much wider ability range and the development of software titles specifically to develop eye gaze skills. This session will
look at some of the eye gaze specific software titles available and using eye gaze with a range of other titles to take eye gaze
users from early cause and effect to choice making and communication.
1:45 – 3:00
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Linda Hartman – Aided Language Modeling: The Missing Piece to AAC
o Aided Language Modeling (ALM) is an effective instructional procedure for symbol comprehension and expression. It is often
overlooked in working with student who have little or no functional speech. ALM and its benefits will be described.
Kim Pyper & Megan Hojnacki – Designing a District Level AAC Team
o Join our OT/SLP team as we describe the process of developing a district level augmentative and alternative communication
(AAC) support team. Topics will include developing processes, staff training, peer involvement, and aided language input.
This will be a LIVE demonstration showing Premier's Multi-Platform literacy tools running common functionality and navigation
across Chromebook, iPad and Android tablet devices.
Carolyn O’Hearn – I’ve Got a PODD Book…Now What?
o PODD is quickly gaining the attention of those interacting with students with complex communication needs. The two-, three-,
and five-day trainings are extremely enlightening and beneficial, but there’s a lot of information that needs to be sorted,
delegated, and relayed to the rest of the team. Where do you start? HOW do you start? PODD is making its way through Lapeer
County and some very enthusiastic itinerants are pulling out all the stops to provide this valuable method of communication to
students, families, and classrooms. This presentation, led by a speech language pathologist and occupational therapy assistant,
will focus on how PODDs are being implemented in a center-based program, within local districts, and with the Early-On (birth3) population.
Neil Andrew – From Communication to AAC Curriculum Access with Clicker Communicator
o Clicker Communicator provides a complete iPad communication aid, using the familiar Clicker Apps interface to create
Vocabulary Sets in minutes, make changes in seconds, and yet have full control over every detail.
In this session we will be focusing on the speed and ease of Vocabulary Set creation for users across the cognitive spectrum,
from basic communication resources to higher level curriculum content access.