Two AAC opportunities

I wanted to share information about a couple of opportunities about Augmentative Communication with Wyoming educators and SLPs.  I have been working with Charity Rowland,  author of the Communication Matrix  (http://communicationmatrix.org) on a new project.  The project has developed a skills sequence for learning augmentative communication and they are looking for people who work directly with kids who use AAC to help validate the work.   In addition,  Charity is looking for people to participate in a study about the Communication Matrix itself.  If you are not familiar with the Matrix,  check it out. It's online and free to use.

I am very excited about both of these projects because they are aimed at providing useful resources to families and educators who want to teach children to communication in real world environments.  I am certainly one of those!   Both studies are looking for special education teachers or speech and language pathologists who are working with a child who uses, or could use AAC.  There is no confidentiality issue as all the information you provide will be "de-identified"  And there's a little extra perk for participating. A gift card when you finish.

Here is information about the studies.  There is a  different person to contact for each one.  If you are interested in the study or know  a teacher or SLP who might help to move this work forward, I hope you will check into participation and share the info.  You can participate in both projects if you're up for it!  Feel free to post your questions below.

Study #1-AAC IEP Study

Our Research Project, “Using the ICF-CY to Guide Communication Instruction for Learners Who Use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication),” is seeking school-based Speech-Language Pathologists and Special Educators who:

• Currently work at least weekly with one student with complex communication needs in grades K-12.

• Are responsible for developing communication-related IEP goals for the student with complex communication needs in grades K-12.

You will be randomly assigned to one of two groups.  The first group will use the ICF-CY for AAC Profile, a new tool designed to make IEP goal writing easier, for the target student and create a report before developing the student’s 2012-13 communication-related IEP goals.  The other group will use any means that they normally use to develop goals.  No identifying information will be collected about the student. Both groups will provide the de-identified communication-related IEP goals and complete a feedback survey about the process. 

It should take no more than two hours to complete the requested activities. All participants will receive $150 Target gift card upon completion of study tasks.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact: ICFAAC@ohsu.edu and indicate:

1.      Whether you are a Special Educator or a School-based Speech-language Pathologist

2.      When you anticipate the 2012-2013 IEP meeting for this student (day, month and year)

3.      The age and grade of the target student

Grant #R324A090028

Institute of Education Sciences
U. S. Dept. of Education

Dr. Charity Rowland, P. I.

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, OR USA

Study #2- Communication Matrix

We are seeking Special Education Teachers and Speech-Language Pathologists to participate in an interesting study funded by the U.S. Department of Education.  Participants must:

• Currently serve at least one student with complex communication needs at any grade level, including early intervention/early childhood special education

• Be responsible for developing communication-related IEP/IFSP goals for one student, as described above.

• NOT currently use the Communication Matrix to evaluate students

Participants will receive an honorarium ranging from $200-$350 depending on the group they are assigned to.  If you are interested in further details about this study, please email quinnem@ohsu.edu.

Grant #H327A110010

U. S. Dept. of Education

Dr. Charity Rowland, P. I.

IRB #1517