Related Links for Professionals About Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Practice Management | Professional Development | Special Interest Groups |
Other Web Resources

Practice Management

Ethics

• Code of Ethics
  The Code of Ethics sets forth the fundamental principles and rules considered essential to the practice of audiology and SLP and for preserving the integrity of the profession.
• Issues in Ethics Statements
  Issues in Ethics Statements provide analysis and guidance on a variety of ethical issues that may be relevant to curriculum planning on this topic.
• Ethics Index Page

Evidence-Based Practice

• Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders: An Introduction
  New ASHA Technical Report about how to improve the quality of the evidence base supporting clinical practice and ultimately improve the quality of clinical services.
• Evidence-Based Practice
  Link to definitions, practice guidelines, literature review sites and levels of evidence.

Cultural Competence

• Knowledge and Skills Needed by Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists to Provide Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services
• Self-Assessment for Cultural Competence
• Tips for Working with an Interpreter
• How Does Your Caseload Compare to the US Census?
• Multicultural Constituency Groups
• Issues in Ethics: Cultural Competence
• Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education

Reimbursement

• An Introduction to Key Concepts in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Reimbursement and Advocacy   
• Billing & Reimbursement
• Coding for Reimbursement
• Medicare Speech Generating Device (SGD) information packet
• Marketing Your Services

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Professional Development

Review live and self-study programs offered by ASHA Professional Development for ASHA CEUs. For information about group discounts, call ASHA Product Sales at 888-498-6699.

Maintenance of Certification
See how to meet the continuing education requirements for maintaining the Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCC-A and CCC-SLP). 

Special Interest Groups

Connect with your professional community! Special Interest Groups give speech-language pathologists the opportunity to explore similar interests and share expertise in focused areas of practice and/or research.

Special Interest Groups related to AAC:

• SIG 1, Language Learning and Education
• SIG 2, Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders
• SIG 12, Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• SIG 16, School-Based Issues

Special Interest Groups related to personnel preparation:

• SIG 10, Issues in Higher Education
• SIG 11, Administration and Supervision
• SIG 14, Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Populations

Other Web Resources

ASHA Resources

• AAC Resource Guide [PDF]
  Compiled by Special Interest Group 12: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (DAAC) experts featuring recommended textbooks, chapters, Web links and more.
• Communication Services and Supports for Individuals With Severe Disabilities: FAQs
• Consumer Web page

Other Resources

• AAC-RERC Free Instructional Resources for Faculty in Higher Education
• The Center for Literacy and Disability Studies
• Augmentative & Alternative Communication Centers, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
  Site provides information, AAC glossary, academic resources and intervention resources.
• United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  USSAAC addresses the needs of persons who are either severely speech impaired or unable to speak.
• International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC)
  ISAAC is an organization devoted to advancing the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
• Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement (RERC)
  National project funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The mission is to advance and promote AAC technologies and support the individuals who use, manufacture, and recommend them.
• Augmentative Communication Inc.
  In addition to selling some interesting AAC newsletters, texts and products, this informative site also has a lot of practical information related to the implementation of AAC.
• AAC Institute
  Information on evidence-based practice (EBP) and AAC is available through this site, which also includes links to several journal articles and conference presentations by Dr. Katya Hill on the topic. The site also features some interesting tools (e.g., the Single Switch Performance Test) and a wealth of information about language activity monitoring (LAM) as a way to collect data on the use of speech generating devices.
• Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA)
  This comprehensive, searchable site has an exhaustive list of AAC devices and descriptions of their key components.
• Project Participate
  A collection of simple strategies to increase the active participation of students with disabilities in school programs, especially through the appropriate uses of technology in the classroom for families, educators, administrators and therapists.
• Augmented Communicators On-line Users Group (ACOLUG)
  The pre-eminent electronic discussion list of, by, and for persons who are AAC users. Join ACOLUG and hear the "voices" of AAC users, their family members and providers on topics ranging from day-to-day concerns (e.g., managing personal assistants, finding a job) to specific concerns regarding the implementation of their communication technology.
• Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT)
  The QIAT Consortium is a nationwide grassroots group that includes hundreds of individuals who provide input into the ongoing process of identifying, disseminating, and implementing a set of widely-applicable Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services in School Settings.

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