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Episode #197: AAC- Factors To Guide Decision Making with Jean Jarrett

Approximately 25–30% of autistic children are minimally verbal, often requiring alternative communication methods like Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Jean Jarrett, SLP-BCBA, joins us to continue highlighting AAC during the month of October. Selecting the right AAC system can be overwhelming due to the many factors involved: communication partners, environments, and caregiver involvement. The process requires input from various disciplines, careful planning, and individualized support.

A common misconception is that children need to reach certain milestones before starting AAC, but there are no prerequisites. There is no need to wait or delay getting started with AAC to meet certain skills, but a learner’s skillset does play a critical part in the device chosen. When choosing an AAC system, factors to guide decision-making include device programming, environments in which it will be used, and potential insurance reimbursement. 

Providers must be equipped to handle pseudoscientific approaches, such as Rapid Prompting or Spelling to Communicate, and focus on evidence-based practices like AAC, which can make a profound difference when used effectively. The journey with AAC doesn’t end when the device is received; that’s just the beginning.

#autism #speechtherapy

Today’s Guest:

Jean Jarrett is a dually credentialed Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has specialized in autism, apraxia, and AAC for more than 10 years and is currently pursuing a PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill.

What’s Inside:

  • How to handle an overwhelming AAC assessment?
  • Are there prerequisites for AAC?
  • Questions and factors to consider when choosing an AAC device.
  • Being equipped to handle pseudoscience.

Mentioned In This Episode

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