AAC Outreach Project

Welcome to the Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) multimedia training modules! If you're a family member, caregiver, an educator, a speech-language pathologist, music therapist or anyone who interacts with a person who has complex communication needs (CCN), and uses an AAC system, these trainings modules are for you!

These multimedia training modules are the result of a four-year, AAC outreach grant project. From 2019 to 2024, the University of Colorado - Boulder's Office of Outreach and Engagement funded this outreach grant project, Empowering Economically Disadvantaged Adolescents with Complex Communication Needs (CCN), that Sherri Tennant and Dr. Christine Brennan co-authored. This was a collaboration among CU-Boulder's Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, three instructional teams at the Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) in Denver, CO, and family members of the DSST middle and high school students. Most of the family members, who were involved in this project, are native Spanish speakers, so services were provided in English and Spanish, and all of these training modules will be available in English and Spanish. The DSST teams included administrators, educators, SLPs, paraprofessionals and families of DSST students.

There are a total of five modules. Each module will include videos, documents, and ways to implement AAC assessments or intervention strategies.

Before you get started, please review the steps below or download the How to Use These AAC Multimedia Training Modules printable pdf version.

How to Use The AAC Training Modules

Step 1. Consider a Client / Family member / Patient / Student

Whether you will use these modules individually or with a group/team, consider a client/family member/patient/student who cannot rely on natural speech for daily communication. Most likely, they could benefit from an AAC assessment and/or intervention. There will be 5 modules total. Start with module 1 for the introduction and overview.

Step 2. Watch Videos Provided in the Modules

The videos included in each AAC multimedia module are a starting point. Brief explanations and examples of how to implement the evidence based AAC assessment and intervention strategies are included in these videos.

Step 3. Read through the Documents

The documents are numbered in the order they are mentioned in each video. The documents that begin with “Xtra” are extra resources that may be beneficial as they are related to the topic of the module in which they are saved.

Step 4. Implement, Celebrate Progress, and/or Problem Solve

Implement the AAC assessment and/or intervention strategies with your client/family member/ patient/student. Collect data on outcomes. Celebrate progress and/or make adjustments as needed. Show appreciation for any positive changes that result from the work you have done. A growth mindset will be helpful!

Module 1: AAC Assessment