Are you passionate about AAC and love engaging with like-minded clinicians and educators? Are you challenged by AAC and looking for new ideas? Are you just getting curious about AAC and wanting to learn from the experience of others? Whether you’re a veteran of previous summits or joining us for the first time, we’re excited to host the Northeast AAC Fall Summit on October 3rd at SUNY Albany Program in Linguistics and Cognitive Science in Albany, NY. It will be a day of learning, sharing, mentoring, collaborating, and hands-on exploration with your AAC Colleagues! Special guest speakers will include local AAC professionals and ambassadors.

Session Highlights:

• A Multidisciplinary Approach to Increasing Student Engagement and Communication with AAC
• Engaged and Delighted: Tabletop Games and Activities with AAC Users
• Creative Solutions through AAC Mentorship
• Q&A with AAC Ambassadors
• Northeast AAC Town Hall: YOUR chance to collaborate with fellow SLPs and grow your AAC skills and awareness, and network with your AAC colleagues
• AAC Hands-On Session: Chance to explore current AAC devices, compare vocabulary systems, experience different access methods, and have questions answered by consultants.

Devices are not required for this training.

Learner Outcomes: 

Participants will be able to:

• Describe at least 3 resources to increase access to AAC
• Identify hands-on activities and games for AAC users to build motivation and engagement
• Explain the roles of collaborative team members (SLP, OT, PT, teacher) in supporting creative use of AAC in the classroom
• Name 3 vocabulary, access, or device features you will further explore to support your AAC users.
• Identify 2 strategies or resources for SLPs and other professionals to build AAC skills

Agenda: 

Duration            Topic

30 minutes - AAC Town Hall Discussion

60 minutes - Multidisciplinary Approach to Increasing Student Engagement and Communication with AAC

                Break

60 minutes - Creative Solutions through AAC Mentorship

30 minutes - AAC Mentoring Moment

                Lunch and Optional Creative Time

60 minutes - Engaged and Delighted: Tabletop Games and Activities with AAC Users

30 minutes - Q&A with Presenters and AAC Ambassadors

                Break

30 minutes - Circling Back Q&A, Wrap-up, Self-Reflection & Feedback

Please note the following details regarding this course:

• You must register for and attend this course using your own AACLJ account.
• ASHA CEU and certificate eligibility require complete live attendance. Partial credit is not given.
• For those wanting ASHA CEUs or certificate for hours, you must participate in polls/quizzes throughout the presentation, if applicable, and complete our PRC-Saltillo ASHA/Certificate Form at the end of the course. The PRC-Saltillo ASHA Form will not be accepted after the course ends.
• We get better with your feedback, please be sure to complete our post-course survey.
• Certificates will be available to all participants with verified attendance within a 2-week processing period.
• If you need disability-related accommodation, please contact seminars@prc-saltillo.com at least 10 days prior to the start of your course. We will review your request and respond as soon as possible.

Click here for instructor bio and disclosures

Guest presenters:

Kelly Fagan, M.S. CCC-SLP, has spent the past 30 years as an SLP advocating for those with complex communicative needs. Kelly teaches at the University at Albany and created the AACcess program when employed by the College of Saint Rose. She mentors interdisciplinary teams on their AAC journey. Her private practice, Express Speech & Augmentative Communication Services LLC serves the Capital District area and she speaks & coaches SLPs nationwide.                        

Alyssa Malone, SLP is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with 7 years’ experience working with individuals across the lifespan. She has served individuals in the medical and community settings and currently works with complex communicators in the Developmental Skills programs at Scotia-Glenville CSD.  She participated in the AACcess pilot program to enhance her district’s capacity for effective development and implementation of AAC.

Erin C. Reed, MA, CCC-SLP is a seasoned Speech Language Pathologist with 22 years of experience across clinical, hospital and educational settings. Since 2017, she has been working at Herkimer-Fulton- Otsego BOCES, where she specializes in working with students on the autism spectrum. Over the past 8 years, she has helped foster a multidisciplinary approach to increase student engagement and communication skills.

Shaun Stephens, MS, CCC-SLP is a practicing speech-language pathologist with 20 years of experience in the medical, school, and nonprofit contexts. He has been at the Stern Center for Language and Learning for 12 years, where he created the center’s first “Makerspace,” and specializes in using experiential and hands-on learning with students with autism, developmental disabilities, and complex communication needs.

Ian Wiernicki is a special education teacher with nearly 10 years of experience in the field. He has worked with students P-21 during his career. Currently he is an Autism classroom teacher at Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES where he works to expand student’s education and functional skills through structured teaching methodology and communication.

Session Dates:

• In-Person with Northeast Team in Albany, NY
  October 3, 2025 : 9:00 am - 3:30 pm EDT