Advocacy in Action: Securing and Sustaining AAC Use

Course Number: ABIO2608

When: Recorded playback is available between April 15, 2026 – April 15, 2031.

Where: Available under “Course Content” at the bottom of this page.

Description: In this course, we explore advocacy in AAC and the barriers that impact access and consistent use across school, therapy, and home settings. Participants learn how to identify when advocacy is needed, support teams in integrating AAC into daily routines, and empower families to advocate for device access and carryover. Practical strategies are provided to support consistent, meaningful AAC use.

Who This Course Is Good For:

• ASHA members, CCC holders, and licensed SLPs supporting individuals who use or may benefit from AAC.
• Clinicians navigating barriers to AAC access across school, clinical, or home environments.
• SLPs looking to improve carryover and consistency of AAC use across teams and settings.
• Clinicians who want to better support and empower families as advocates for their child.
• Graduate clinicians seeking practical strategies for AAC implementation beyond device selection.

Who This Course Isn’t Good For:

• Professionals not currently practicing or planning to practice in speech-language pathology or related clinical fields.
• Individuals looking for a course focused on AAC device setup, programming, or technical features.
• Clinicians seeking advanced, device-specific training rather than broader advocacy and implementation strategies.
• Learners uninterested in collaboration with families, teams, or systems to support AAC use.

Presenters:

Venita Litvack, M.A, CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She has a passion for using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other disabilities. Venita has delivered poster presentations on several topics related to AAC at ASHA and co-presented several ASHA CEU accredited courses. Venita co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication, as well as the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. Recently, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram account, and YouTube channel.

Rachel Zukose, M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD (SHE/HER)

Rachel Zukose, M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD (she/her), is an ASHA-certified and New York State licensed speech-language pathologist based in the Hudson Valley. She provides assessment and treatment for both pediatric and adult clients across a wide range of areas, including articulation, language, feeding, voice, fluency, cognitive communication, social communication, AAC, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Rachel is PROMPT-trained and LSVT certified, and is a strong advocate for her clients, emphasizing education and collaboration with families and interdisciplinary teams. She is passionate about individualized care and deeply invested in each patient’s progress and outcomes.

Disclosure Statements

Venita Litvack has the following relevant relationships to disclose: ownership interest in Speechie Side Up, LLC and Tassel Learning, LLC; royalties from the Lou Knows What to Do book series. Venita is a member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Rachel Zukose has the following relevant relationships to disclose: works at Orange-Ulster BOCES and Goshen Speech and Hearing.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

• Define common situations in which advocacy for AAC use is necessary across educational, clinical, and home settings.
• Identify 2 barriers that may require clinician-led advocacy to support AAC access and consistent implementation.
• Describe strategies to integrate AAC use into classroom instruction, therapy sessions, and home routines.
• Identify 2 approaches to support parents in advocating for their child to obtain and maintain access to an AAC device.

Agenda

5 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
10 min	When Advocacy Is Necessary
15 min	Identifying Barriers to AAC Access
10 min	Integrating AAC Across Settings
15 min	Empowering Parents as Advocates
5 min	References & Closing

Complaint Policy

To file a complaint or ask general questions about the complaint filing process, please contact our support team at info@tasseltogether.com

Refund Policy

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Requirements