Speakers: Beth Waite‑Lafever, Rebecca Hoke, Amanda, and Lucy Iannamorelli
Session Description:
Looking to expand your students’ participation as active learners in the classroom? Discover how to help AAC students use the language of learning so they can more fully engage in classroom discussions and projects. Harness the power of Tier 1 and Tier 2 vocabulary to build understanding and use of word knowledge. Identify vocabulary to broaden your AAC learner’s language skills through discussion, case study, and group activities.
Objectives:
- Identify at least 5 key words or phrases that learners need to understand and use to actively participate in classroom discussions, projects, and writing activities.
- Discuss how Tier 1 and Tier 2 words can support students in distinguishing shades of meaning between closely related words.
- Analyze current student vocabulary data to determine words to target across the academic environment.
Speaker Bios:
Beth Waite-Lafever, M.A., CCC-SLP, ATP, is a speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience helping people find their voice with AAC. She is certified by ASHA and holds the ATP certificate from RESNA. Beth’s career started in outpatient rehabilitation, then on to public schools and private practice. In her 19 years in public schools, Beth supported students with complex communication needs, served as Assistive Technology Coordinator and AAC Specialist, and worked closely with teams to complete evaluations, funding packets, and staff training so that students used their AAC systems for social as well as academic needs. Beth is especially passionate about autism, literacy, and supporting early communicators.
Rebecca (Becca) Hoke, M.A., CCC-SLP, earned a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Kutztown University in 2003 and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at West Chester University in 2009. Before joining PRC-Saltillo, Rebecca served as a speech-language pathologist and AAC consultant for Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12. Rebecca also presented locally and regionally to speech/language pathologists, teachers, para educators, and occupational therapists on AAC implementation. Most recently, she worked for the Center for AAC and Autism as a LAMP Educator, which allowed her to present workshops across the country teaching on the LAMP methodology for AAC intervention.
Amanda Samperi, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP, is an ASHA-certified SLP with a particular love of assistive technology (AT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Pennsylvania State University and worked for several years in school, home, and medical settings. She is thrilled to be helping others with their communication journey as an AAC Consultant with PRC-Saltillo! Amanda has presented on topics related to AAC at ASHA, IEE Electrical Safety Workshop, AAC in the Cloud, Closing the Gap, and ATIA.
Lucy Iannamorelli, M.S., CCC-SLP, earned both her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Before joining PRC-Saltillo, Lucy worked as a speech-language pathologist at a special education school for about 8 years, where she supported children aged 3 to 21 with a wide range of communication needs. In her previous role, Lucy developed a strong foundation in working with individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), including those with autism spectrum disorder, multiple disabilities, visual impairments, and motor impairments.