ableU ASHA Approved Professional Development

Getting Started: Funding A Speech Device with AbleNet

Available October 11, 2022 – October 11, 2023 | 38 minutes | 0.05 ASHA CEUs

Our goal is to ensure every SLP has the tools and support they need to help an individual obtain a high tech speech device using their medical insurance. Join us for a short webinar to learn how to simplify speech device funding by using resources and tools available to you to maximize your success and get speech devices into your students and clients hands as quickly as possible.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Samantha Kalkowski, M.S. CCC-SLP
Level: Introductory

Build Capacity in AAC Implementation Across Environments by Shifting Mindsets

Available November 7, 2022 – November 7, 2027 | 60 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

The need to build capacity while supporting students with complex communication needs is critical. SLP’s and AAC teams need to deepen and expand their knowledge base in AAC implementation. Having the knowledge in the hands of one “expert” is not a sustainable model of support for AAC. To ensure a larger impact, we must move to a model that builds capacity. What tools and strategies can we use to shift the current “expert” mindset? Examples of how multiple district level teams embraced a capacity building model supported by a county level AAC team will be shared. Participants will be encouraged to consider their current state and determine what shifts can be made toward a capacity building model.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Marlene Cummings​, M.A., CCC-SLP - AAC Consultant
Level: Intermediate

AAC and Transition: Life Starts at Twenty-One

Available November 7, 2022 – November 7, 2027 | 61 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

This presentation discusses critical elements for a successful transition to adulthood. Does the AAC device transition with the student or is it owned by the school district? Do school age teams consider vocabulary selection for adult roles and relationships?

We need to consider the goals of the individual. AAC users participate in a variety of adult contexts from college to the workplace. Planning needs to start well before the age of twenty-one.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Kathryn Helland​, Speech pathologist and AAC specialist
Level: Intermediate

Incorporating Comprehensive Literacy Instruction into AAC Intervention

Available November 17, 2022 – November 17, 2027 | 85 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

The purpose of this session is to provide attendees with the background knowledge necessary for understanding the different types of literacy instruction models that are utilized and which may be the most appropriate for our students and clients. Students and clients with complex communication needs are often viewed as being incapable of learning and engaging in emergent literacy activities, however, this is a common misconception. This session will discuss how Speech Language Pathologists can select appropriate activities and materials that can be easily incorporated into AAC intervention to support emergent literacy skills. Participants who attend will have the opportunity to view previously recorded literacy-based activities being incorporated during speech and language therapy sessions. Participants will also leave with a digital resource containing downloadable and printable materials to immediately begin using with their clients/students.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Kristin Ellis, Speech Language Pathologist/Augmentative & Alternative Communication Specialist
Level: Intermediate

Implementing the Use of AAC in the Classroom and School

Available December 15, 2022 – December 15, 2027 | 79 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

Do you feel like your teachers are struggling to implement your techniques and strategies in the classroom? This training is for you! You will learn how to better serve and teach your classroom teachers and other general/special education teachers throughout your school to implement and use AAC in their classrooms. Through the implementation of AAC in the classroom setting, children have access to communication through a first-then board, picture communication system, speech-generating device, and more. We will explore the different options, when to develop/use them, and how to incorporate these tools into the educational setting and curriculum.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Kaitlin Brown SLPD, CCC-SLP
Level: Intermediate

Reverse the Curse: Device Abandonment & Prompt-Dependency in AAC

Available January 12, 2023 – December 31, 2027 | 76 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

The struggle is real! The individual with Complex Communication Needs isn't using their Speech-Generating Device to their fullest potential or worse, they are completely opposed to it. No matter what your role on the team, as long as you're having interactions with the individual, you can help. This presentation will explain exactly what prompt-dependency and device abandonment look like, so you can easily identify them. Videos will be used to illustrate both. Next, we'll discuss the difference between "modeling" (AKA Aided-Language Stimulation) and "prompting" (AKA placing demands). Video examples will again be shown. Can you spot the difference?

Cost: Free
Presenter: Ann Bedard Speech-Language Pathologist/ Assistive Technology Specialist @ EASTCONN
Level: Intermediate

Technically Speaking: A Closer Look at How to Increase Positive Outcomes with High-Tech AAC

Available January 14, 2023 – December 31, 2027 | 64 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

This session is a follow-up to “Reverse the Curse…” presented in April 2022 where device abandonment and prompt dependency were defined in order to help you identify the signs and symptoms. Now let’s move beyond the basic solutions and get technical. Learn how to adjust software settings and choose vocabulary targets that will decrease problem behavior and increase motivation. Plenty of video examples will be shared once again.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Ann Bedard Speech-Language Pathologist/ Assistive Technology Specialist @ EASTCONN
Level: Intermediate

Mounting Speech Generating Devices and Tablets to Wheelchairs

Available February 2, 2022 – January 31, 2028 | 69 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

This course addresses mounting speech generating devices and tablets to wheelchairs. A variety of commercially available product options will be presented, including “off label” use of products and custom solutions. Mounting positions the device in relation to the client for visual regard, access, safety, and security.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Michelle Lange, Occupational Therapist
Level: Introductory

Finding Common Ground

Available February 9, 2023 – January 31, 2028 | 90 minutes | 0.15 ASHA CEUs

Working collaboratively with many stakeholders, even under the best circumstances, can be stressful, especially with the ongoing challenges of educating learners in the midst of an ever changing pandemic. However, once you understand about your style under stress, you can move forward to address conflicts and disagreements in your teams and educational groups. In this session Beth Poss and Gayl Bowser will team up to discuss important concepts that can help you to find common ground in proactive and positive ways. We'll use a case study approach throughout the session and invite you to bring your stories and questions.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Gayl Bowser, MS.Ed @Assistive Technology Collaborations & Beth Poss, Educational Consulting
Level: Introductory

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding & Responding

Available March 16, 2023 - February 29, 2028 | 66 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

Children with autism spectrum disorder tend to process and respond to information in the environment in unique and unusual ways which frequently present challenges to educators and families. This session will illustrate how to better understand the characteristics of children with ASD and the underlying factors that contribute to their problem behaviors in order to provide individualized supports and interventions to maximize their academic, social, and behavioral outcomes.


This session is part one of a three part series.

  1. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding & Responding
  2. Setting and Student-specific Interventions for Children with ASD
  3. Transform Transition Meltdown to Calm-down: Strategies for Children with ASD

Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Saraty, Author & Educational Consultant
Level: Introductory

Setting and Student-specific Interventions for Children with ASD

Available March 23, 2023 - February 29, 2028 | 66 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

This session, combining the portrayal of several student case examples and setting-specific situations, will present proactive intervention techniques and tools to reduce challenging behaviors of students with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Empowered with best-practice techniques grounded in the positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) approach, you can transform your knowledge into constructive action to achieve desirable long-term outcomes for children with ASD.


This session is part two of a three part series.

  1. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding & Responding
  2. Setting and Student-specific Interventions for Children with ASD
  3. Transform Transition Meltdown to Calm-down: Strategies for Children with ASD

Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Saraty, Author & Educational Consultant
Level: Introductory

Transform Transition Meltdown to Calm-down

Available March 30, 2023 - February 29, 2028 | 66 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

Changes in routines, activities, materials, or environments can trigger transition-related tantrums in children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Experiencing anxiety and stress, they may engage in aggressive or oppositional behaviors. This workshop, drawing from evidence-based best-practices, will demonstrate how to pursue child-focused approaches – seven support strategies – to prevent transition-related meltdowns and make smooth transitions.


This session is part three of a three part series.

  1. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding & Responding
  2. Setting and Student-specific Interventions for Children with ASD
  3. Transform Transition Meltdown to Calm-down: Strategies for Children with ASD

Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Saraty, Author & Educational Consultant
Level: Introductory

Practical Tips and Strategies for Embedding AAC Into Daily Routines

Available March 30, 2023 – February 29, 2028 | 60 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

Although there are different types of assistive technology devices and applications available, it can be challenging to promote consistent use of these alternative communication tools during activities of daily living.

This presentation highlights research that correlates the consistent use of AAC devices with increased independent communication and describes strategies for incorporating AAC devices into children's daily routines.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Deborah Akinyele Speech-Language Pathologist
Level: Introductory

A Guide to Embedding AAC Use into Daily Routines and Activities

Available May 11, 2023 - April 30, 2028 | 49 minutes | 0.05 ASHA CEUs

In this session, participants learn about embedding different AAC devices into daily routines. The purpose of AAC and barriers to consistency in AAC use are briefly discussed to ensure all learners have relevant background knowledge. The main focus is embedding AAC use, including utilizing a functional profile, conducting a routines-based interview and AAC assessment, and providing parent/caregiver education.

This session is a follow-up to "Practical Tips and Strategies for Embedding AAC Into Daily Routines"

Cost: Free
Presenter: Deborah Akinyele Speech-Language Pathologist
Level: Introductory

Joyful Learning: Engage and Advance Young Learners with Significant and Complex Learning Needs

Available April 6, 2023 – March 31, 2028 | 66 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

Young learners with significant disabilities – with cognitive and communication difficulties who may also have physical, sensory and behavioral needs – require instructional delivery that maximizes their learning opportunities and minimizes the barriers to attain desired learning outcomes. This webinar will guide you on how to deliver learning opportunities with a hands-on, playful approach to motivate and sustain learner attention and advance their growth and development in cognitive, language and communication, social-emotional skills.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Saraty, Author & Educational Consultant
Level: Introductory

Cultivate Calmness, Concentration and Coping Skills

Available May 3, 2023 - April 30, 2028 | 60 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

Spark joy and grow learner’s abilities to develop calmness, concentration, and attentional control to build focus for learning. Learn how to integrate mindfulness-based practices as part of the daily routine while nurturing social-emotional skills.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Saraty, Author & Educational Consultant
Level: Introductory

Considerations in Adding Non-Robust AAC Tools as Secondary Systems

Available June 8, 2023 – May 31, 2028 | 60 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

There are a variety of AAC Tools that are very small. They are not, nor claim to be, robust vocabulary systems. These tools can possibly play a secondary role. This session reviews the features and usage of this category of AAC tools; it does NOT promote that these systems are a person’s primary system.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Kelly Fonner, Special Educator & AT Consultant
Level: Introductory

AAC Practices that Make Champion Communicators

Available July 26, 2023 – June 30, 2028 | 60 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

Teaching AAC is HARD. How can practitioners help their clients and families become champion communicators? What if the practitioner does not have extensive AAC experience? Where do practitioners begin in therapy? Who can practitioners invite to the conversation? In this session, practitioners will learn to use a framework to provide culturally inclusive, collaborative, and client-specific therapy practices to help their clients achieve their goals with multidisciplinary support.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Megan Covey, M.S., CCC-SLP/L
Level: Introductory

How Do We Learn? Engaging Individuals with a Variety of Needs Across the Lifespan

Available August 21, 2023 – July 31, 2028 | 90 minutes | 0.15 ASHA CEUs

Every individual has a unique way of learning. This webinar is designed to help you on your journey of discovering how individuals learn, to better engage and teach them. It will review different fields of research, explore topics such as ADD and learning disabilities as well as explore general principles. It is intended to guide you in furthering your knowledge and understanding of how people learn and give you practical tips to implement.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Ruth Freidel, Speech-Language Pathologist
Level: Introductory

Taking the Myths out of AAC Evaluations and Treatment

Available June 12, 2023 – May 31, 2028 | 68 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

In this session, participants identified myths that could impede AAC evaluations and ultimately halt a person’s progression toward becoming an independent communicator. How AAC myths affect people with disabilities was discussed, while the focus was strategies to address these myths and push past communication plateaus.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Rachell Johnson, M.C.D. CCC-SLP AT Team Lead
Level: Introductory

What are Tangible Symbols? An Introduction and Discussion of Functional Use Across Settings

Available September 13, 2023 – July 31, 2028 | 70 minutes | 0.1 ASHA CEUs

IIn this session participants learned what tangible symbols are, who may benefit from them, what to consider when making them, and how to implement them functionally across settings. Participants were provided tangible steps they can make toward implementing this type of AAC to bring communication access to their clients, students or loved ones.

Cost: Free
Presenter: Emily Macklin, Speech-Language Pathologist
Level: Introductory