The AAC Assessment Process Hailey Paschold September 16, 2026

Young children with complex communication needs often struggle to convey what they are thinking and feeling. This workshop will provide participants with a roadmap to successfully match augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools with young children's unique skills and needs so that they can be more effective communicators.

Participants will learn how to navigate a multi-step AAC assessment process that includes: the use of observational and standardized tools to gather information about the child, environment, communication partners, and barriers; the AAC feature match process; and the AAC funding process. Additionally, participants will learn about specific AAC assessment considerations for young children on the autism spectrum.

Workshop Day 1 - Participants will:
-Understand elements of a thoughtful and thorough AAC trial process
-Understand and utilize a variety of observational and standardized tools to inform the AAC assessment process

Workshop Day 2 - Participants will:
-Understand how environmental factors, communication partner skills and opportunity barrier factors support or hinder the AAC assessment process
-Understand the six feature match elements - linguistic, symbol, voice, access, display, and portability/positioning Understand how to use the feature match process to identify AAC options

Workshop Day 3 - Participants will:
-Understand how environmental factors, communication partner skills and opportunity barrier factors support or hinder the AAC assessment process
-Analyze an ASD-specific AAC Assessment tool
-Understand the needed elements of an AAC Medicaid funding document submission

Graduate Course:
In addition to participating in the workshop days, course participants will complete readings and assignments. Coursework will include the development of an assessment plan, barrier assessment, exploration and trial plan, and final paper exploring AAC considerations for children on the autism spectrum.