The program was originally aired as part of the “Partner Instruction in AAC: Strategies for Building Circles of Support” online conference (June 13-25, 2012).

Couple and family therapists have long used self-anchored rating scales (SARS) with their clients. Now, SLPs are adapting this approach to improve life participation for adults living with chronic aphasia, and their families. SARS provides a visual framework that facilitates family participation, ensures that AAC solutions are connected to the family's unique style, and expands goals on successful interactive patterns within the family. In this program, we'll describe the five major steps in the scaling process, and will illustrate the technique with video examples of treatment sessions. We'll also discuss unique AAC solutions and changes in partner support during the scaling sessions.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• describe the purpose of SARS
• describe the steps in collaboratively creating a SARS
• discuss appropriate counseling skills for developing and using SARS
• describe how the use of SARS promotes successful AAC generalization in natural environments

 View the Table of Contents [PDF]