Implementing Effective Aac Practices for Students With Complex Communication Needs ― A Handbook for School-based Practitioners

Implementing Effective AAC Practices for Students with Complex Communication Needs provides an introductory, user-friendly handbook for any school-based practitioner, particularly those new to the field. This highly practical book translates the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) research into practice and explains the importance of the use of AAC strategies in diverse school settings. The handbook also provides school-based practitioners with resources to be used during the assessment, planning, and instructional process, whether you are an AAC consultant, special education teacher, assistive technology consultant, speech language pathologist, or occupational therapist.

Dr. Alexandra Da Fonte is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University. Her primary interests are in the areas of special education -severe disabilities, integrating augmentative and alternative communication strategies, teacher training, bridging research-to-practice, and on training pre-service special education teachers to work with students with complex communication needs. Dr. Da Fonte has over 20 years of experience working with students with significant needs including students with complex communication needs. She currently serves as one of the Associate Editors of TEACHING Exceptional Children, is on the editorial board for the Journal of International Special Education, Communication Disorders Quarterly, and Physical Disabilities Education and Related Services.

Dr. Miriam C. Boesch is an Assistant Professor in Special Education at the University of North Texas. Her areas of research include augmentative and alternative communication interventions for individuals with autism, evidence-based strategies for decreasing problem behavior, and pre- and in-service personnel preparation. Dr. Boesch publishes in peer-reviewed journals, presents at national and international conferences, and is on the editorial boards for Communication Disorders Quarterly, and TEACHING Exceptional Children. Based on her scholarly work, Dr. Boesch was awarded the 2014 Junior Faculty Research Award. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in special education, autism, and behavior management.