Empowering the Classroom Teachers with AAC

Deficits in communication is one of the core symptoms of autism and coping with the complex communication needs in the classroom is a big challenge for persons with autism (PWAs). Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems provide a means of communication for PWAs who may not be able to use speech effectively to communicate. AAC can increase the ability of PWAs to learn and to participate in classroom activities.

Ms. Barbara speaking in front of participants during the seminar

Speech and language pathologists (SLPs) and classroom teachers have a crucial role of in the language development of their students. Unfortunately, there are only a limited number of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the school setting in the country. This is why Barbara Munar, MRS-SP, CSP-PASP, has made it her advocacy to collaborate with teachers to support students who are AAC users and help them to generalize communication skills learned in the therapy room.

In the seminar, AAC and the Classroom Teacher, Teacher Bambi as Ms. Munar is fondly called, provided participants an overview of AAC, its components and other relevant concepts such as vocabulary selection and organization. The seminar also provided participants with strategies that can be used to help their students integrate the use of no-tech or high-tech AAC systems in the classroom. Teacher Bambi also gave samples of how communication goals and strategies can be integrated into the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and the daily activities of students.

Because there was such a high demand for this topic, the seminar was repeated a few months later for the participants who could not be accommodated during the first session. ASP Chapters who may be interested in conducting similar seminars in their area can get in touch with ASP National or the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists (PASP).