New Explore Medbridge Pathways

Bilingual Considerations for Implementation of Augmentative
and Alternative Communication

Presented by Alease Holden

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Description

In our modern world, speech-language pathologists find themselves working with an increasing number of children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Many of these children are complex communicators in need of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to support their self-expression in their homes, communities, and schools. This presentation reviews current barriers that exist to the successful implementation of AAC in multilingual learners. It further synthesizes the available evidence for best practices in AAC assessment and treatment when working with multilingual learners to overcome existing barriers. A sociocultural model of evaluation is reviewed, along with family-centered AAC treatment strategies that both monolingual and bilingual SLPs can adopt to support second-language acquisition through an additive bilingual lens.

Instructor

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Alease Holden, MS, CCC-SLP

Alease Holden is a dedicated speech-language pathologist at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center who specializes in pediatric care in the outpatient setting. As a bilingual Spanish-English provider, she is passionate about supporting emerging bilingual patients and their families in enhancing communication skills through…

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Learning Objectives

  • Examine the current barriers that exist in achieving successful implementation of AAC in families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds  
  • Formulate an evaluation plan that recognizes and supports the cultural and linguistic needs of children and families from diverse backgrounds
  • Determine which features and customizations of AAC devices are needed to adequately support children and families from diverse backgrounds 
  • Develop a treatment plan for emerging bilingual communicators that is both family-centered and supportive of additive bilingualism

Agenda

All times in Eastern Time.

5:00pm–5:20pm
State of the Field
5:20pm–5:50pm
Assessment Considerations
5:50pm–6:15pm
Treatment Considerations
6:15pm–6:20pm
Break
6:20pm–6:50pm
Q&A Session
Medbridge is committed to accessibility for all of our subscribers. If you are in need of a disability-related accommodation, please contact [email protected] . We will process requests for reasonable accommodation and will provide reasonable accommodations where appropriate, in a prompt and efficient manner.

Details

  • June 12, 2025
  • 5:00pm-6:50pm EDT
    • SLPs, Intermediate
  • Register soon! Limited seats available.

* Available June 10

Disclaimer

Alease Holden, instructor for this educational event, receives compensation from Medbridge for this course. No one with the ability to control content has relevant relationship(s) to disclose, with the exception of Alease Holden, who has a relationship with Connecticut Children's Medical Center, which was mitigated.

Accreditation

Requirements

To receive CEU credit all disciplines must attend the webinar for the full duration, complete the quiz with a minimum score of 70%, and complete the participant survey.

"Live" CEUs

Even if this webinar is accredited for your discipline and location, it may not count as a “Live” CEU. of governing bodies that count our accredited webinars as “Live” CEUs.

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