#102: Strategies for SLP and BCBA Collaboration with AAC (Janna Bedoyan & Morgan van Diepen)

Any chance to talk about collaboration, I am all about it! Janna Bedoyan and Morgan van Diepen are experienced members of the autism field. Janna is an NBCT teacher who specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Morgan is a BCBA and autism specialist. As I talk to these two today, their passion is just incredible.

Together, Janna and Morgan have just published a new book, AAC Visualized - a visual guide for AAC full of detailed pictures, examples, ideas, and strategies. The mission behind AAC Visualized is to normalize the use of AAC, advocate for acceptance and access to AAC, and empower families through AAC education. In the creation of this book, they collaborated with SLPs, Teachers, Autistic Individuals, and AAC users to get an all-encompassing view on AAC.

Janna and Morgan make it clear that it is NOT SLP versus ABA but instead there is a clear need for collaboration between the two. AAC is typically taught and used with SLPs but it's important for ABA providers to put it to use during therapy as well for these users. They share some of their tips and strategies from their book!

3 Essential Tips for ABA Providers Teaching AAC

1. Follow the SLPs Lead
2. Moving Beyond Requests
3. Use AAC to Teach AAC

Be sure to check out their book AAC Visualized and the "sister" book ABA Visualized. You can find Morgan and Janna on Instagram to check out all of the cool things they are doing in their field!

#autism #speectherapy

What’s Inside:

• 3 essential tips for ABA providers teaching AAC.
• Introducing a visual guide to normalize, advocate, and empower AAC.
• How modeling AAC can familiarize staff and users with AAC devices.
• Unique strategies for AAC and ABA.
• How to collaboratively support and empower students.
• It’s not SLP vs ABA.

Mentioned In This Episode: 

Shop AAC Visualized
AAC Specialist & Consultant (@aac.and.me) • Instagram
ABA Visualized (@abavisualized) • Instagram
ABA Speech