AbleNet University Live Webinars

Live Webinars
DIY AT for the New Normal
March 10, 2021 | 3:00 PM CST | 60 minutes
COVID-19 pushed the fast forward button on distance and e-learning. Quickly we found out we weren’t as prepared in AT as we thought we were for solving AT issues at home. How can DIY AT help? How can we help parents with AT solutions at home? How can we assist therapists, teachers, and other educators with AT solutions during times of e-learning? Come learn about creative and innovative solutions for using assistive technology in the home DIY environment as well as resources for providing virtual AT services. During this presentation we will show how DIY AT can benefit you in times of distance learning, emergencies, and especially in your daily practice and therapeutic environments.
Cost: Free
Presenters: Rachell Johnson, M.C.D. CCC-SLP AT Team Lead & Barb Kelii, TCTechGal, Independent AT Consultant Services
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Taking the Myths out of AAC Evaluations and Treatment
March 18, 2021 | 3:00 PM CST | 60 minutes
In a galaxy far far away...Myths about AAC can become like villains that can impede an AAC evaluation and ultimately halt a person’s progression towards becoming an independent communicator.  What are some AAC myths, and how can we conquer them?  

This presentation will help you on your quest to squash AAC villains from your evaluations and treatment of persons with communication disorders.   Join this presentation to help you and your team don your superhero capes and guard your AAC evaluations and treatment practices!
Cost: Free
Presenter: Rachell Johnson, M.C.D. CCC-SLP AT Team Lead
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Proactive Interventions and Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
April 8, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes

Children with autism spectrum disorders frequently experience significant behavioral problems due to their anxiety and stress levels and transition-related difficulties. The pandemic and its impact on how the student received instruction – in-person or virtually or a hybrid model – could have further aggravated the situation. This session will present proactive intervention techniques and carefully crafted and personalized support tools and tips to create a supportive learning environment for students with ASD. Participants will gain knowledge and skills in decreasing the challenging behaviors and meltdowns through implementing:

  • Environmental Interventions and Supports
  • Instructional Interventions and Supports
  • Calming Supports

Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Sarathy, MA, Author and Educational Consultant
Level: Beginner
Consideration: Resources to find AT Answers
April 29, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
One of the first things I hear from teams when they are preparing to consider AT is "Let's do a SETT!" Or, teams may reach out saying, "We did a SETT and don't know where to go." This is where coaching, collaboration, and consideration can be strengthened by understanding what questions to ask. There are so many models of consideration in the world of assistive technology. Some function better in schools, others better for more medically directed situations. By understanding different models you won't simply be "doing" one model, but be understanding of what the student needs and how AT can help. This session will focus on different models of consideration, important questions to ask, and when to apply this knowledge. 
Cost: Free
Presenter: Sayard Bass, M.S. CCC-SLP/L-ATP
Level: Beginner