Handouts

With the consideration of assistive technology being mandated for every student, many questions are generated about the proper way in how to conduct an assessment. What does it look like? Where does it take place? How long should it last? What data should be collected? For those who are in consultative positions, balancing the responsibilities between you and the local school team can be challenging.

These two days of sessions will inform all those questions and more, as well as provide participants the tools for further defining their individual roles in the AT Consideration and Assessment processes. During the first day, the emphasis will be on planning and executing the team process; the second day will bring the opportunity to evaluate assessment tools in the specific AT areas of AAC, Reading, and Writing.
 

Presenter: Kelly Fonner

Word prediction programs have had major upgrades in recent years. They are incorporated into alternative keyboards, built into major operating systems, and exist in our everyday technologies such as cellular phones. This webinar will describe and give examples of the features of word prediction programs that should be considered during the assessment and selection of writing supports. During this session, we will look at the word prediction features of stand-alone products that are useable with any text-accepting program and do a quick overview of products that have word prediction built-in such as dedicated word processors and onscreen keyboards. We will explore how programs control the prediction and how each customizes its vocabulary lists. This webinar is not about what product we think is the best, this is about sorting through the options available so that you can be more informed when making decisions.

By attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• List 5 major features available in word prediction system
• Describe 3 types of word prediction packages
• Create an assessment plan, including trial

Presenter: Kelly Fonner

Assessment processes for assistive technology for individuals with disabilities have a common component referred to as feature matching. As a key component of an Assistive Technology Assessment, Feature Matching is often misunderstood, misused, or missed completely in the process of a consumer receiving an unbiased and full scoping AT evaluation. Often consumers are met with AT tool recommendations based upon the knowledge base of their local assessor, rather than the consumer's own full range of abilities and needs being matched to the features that are available throughout a wide range of products that are available throughout the marketplace. AT and Rehabilitation Technology providers do not always need to know ALL of the products that are available, but they do need to know how to do a proper Feature Match process and how to search for products beyond their immediate toolbox. During this webinar, we will explore these options and receive a full set of feature match charts that are composed to range a wide variety of AT areas.

By attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• List and describe 3 types of input features in assistive technology
• List and describe 3 types of processing features in assistive technology
• List and describe 3 types of output features in assistive technology
• Create an assessment plan including a feature match matrix for a client

Presenter: Kelly Fonner

Sorting through the variety of options available in augmentative-alternative communication (AAC) devices can be a challenging portion of the AAC assessment and decision-making process. During this webinar, AAC system features will be outlined through descriptions and examples of input, processing, output, and other key features that impact AAC decision making that pertain to people with communication impairments, physical disabilities, health impairments, and/or cognitive disabilities. Participants will receive a feature match matrix and matrices that they can use during their AAC evaluation process. The benefits of learning this feature match approach are that this process extends beyond the current knowledge base and comfort level of products by giving the clinician a means in which to incorporate new products.

By attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• List the input and output features of AAC products
• Describe and discriminate between the types of language processing systems available in AAC products
• Compare and contrast AAC products as they relate to the features needed by individuals seeking communication assistance
• Create an assessment plan including trials for individual cases

Presenter: Kelly Fonner

The 2020 Statewide PaPBS Network Facilitator Annual Summit will include presentations regarding updates and enhancements to network processes, procedures, and tools. These sessions will address training needs for the field in the areas of the advanced tiers, equity, data decision making, and family engagement.

Presenter: Multiple

Together at Home: Back2School is a virtual conference designed specifically for families and students as they prepare to return to school. How do we adjust to routines, busier schedules, and a new school year? The twenty minute sessions planned for this evening will address topics on the minds of students and families in an open, conversational format. Come ready to share your ideas and experiences as well as your questions and concerns as we discuss strategies for preparing our return to school.

Presenter: Multiple

Presentation 1: BrainSTEPS: Opioid Misuse & Brain Injury will focus on the intersection between brain injury and opioid misuse from two perspectives.

Presentation 2: PA Transition Resources for Students Post-Brain Injury addresses transition resources available for students with acquired brain injuries in the state of Pennsylvania, including eligibility requirements and services available through each resource.

Presentation 3: Brain Injuries Caused by Abusive Head Trauma discusses abusive head trauma (AHT) in infants and young children

Presenter: Monica Vaccaro, Carole Jenny MD

Together@Home: Resources for Youth and Families is a virtual
conference designed specifically for families and students to
finish the school year strong.

• Presenters will offer twenty-minute sessions to assist
  with learning in a virtual environment.
• Several sessions have been specially designed just for
  students.
• An opening keynote by the Director of the Bureau of
  Special Education, Ms. Carole Clancy, will set the stage for
  the importance of strong family and student commitment.
• Marc Elliot, author and national presenter, will close the
  conference with an inspirational message on finding your
  strength.

Presenter: Multiple

Obtaining insurance funding for tablet-based speech-generating devices (SGD) can be daunting. This webinar will guide attendees through the forms, reports, and procedures that must be followed for initial application and appeals. Emphasis will be on the keywords, phrases, and elements in AAC reports that lead to a successful outcome.

Presenter: Patricia Mervine M.A. CCC-SLP

Is your team struggling to gain buy-in from your middle school students? Our biggest challenge was creating a school-wide Tier 1 system that gained buy-in from both elementary and middle school students. Increasing our student voice has helped us overcome this barrier and built life-long skills for our students.

Presenter: Warren County School District