Be an AACtivist: How to Promote Cultural Diversity in AAC Assessment & Treatment

Course Number: ABIO2006

When: Available October 16, 2021 – September 21, 2025.

Where: Listen on the Speechie Side Up Podcast. Available on all major podcast platforms.

Description: This session discussed how to promote cultural diversity when conducting augmentative and alternative communication assessments (AAC) and treatment. This session also explored cultural differences to identify when working with families of children who use AAC. In addition, ideas to support diverse literacy instruction in the field of AAC were explored.

Who This Course Is Good For:

Any speech-language pathologist (SLP) who wants to learn more about AAC assessment and treatment.
Any SLP who is looking to diversify their AAC materials.
Any SLP who wants to better understand the potential impact of cultural differences on AAC service delivery.

Presenters:

Venita Litvack, M.A, CCC-SLP

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.

Cara Walton, M.A.,CCC-SLP

Cara Walton, an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. She specializes in AAC, autism, and other mental health diagnoses in children (e.g., Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder (CD). Cara has a passion for advocating for underrepresented voices in the speech-language pathology/audiology field. She is the writer of a change.org petition, “Demands for ASHA to Increase Cultural Sensitivity.” This petition was able to achieve 15,000 signatures in 21 days and was sent to the ASHA Board of Directors. Cara continues to advocate for minority SLPs, AUDs, clients, and students. You can follow her journey through advocacy and focusing on self care on instagram @thebuckeyeslp.

Disclosure Statements

Venita Litvack has the following relevant financial 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 Litvack has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Cara Walton has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: full time, salaried employee of a nonprofit outpatient clinic locate in Columbus, Ohio.

Cara Walton has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing; member on a project committee aimed at creating black synthesized voices for AAC systems that includes Assistiveware, Tobii Dynavox, and PRC-Saltillo.

THIS COURSE IS OFFERED FOR .10 ASHA CEUS
(INTRODUCTORY LEVEL; PROFESSIONAL AREA)

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

Describe at least three factors to consider when conducting AAC assessments in order to promote cultural diversity.
Identify cultural differences and family considerations while working with children who use AAC.
Describe at least three ways to promote anti-racism and diversity in the field of AAC.
Describe at least three ways to support diverse literacy instruction with AAC users

Agenda

6 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
7 min	How to promote cultural diversity in AAC assessment
10 min	Description of how family considerations play a role in AAC success with students
13 min	Discussion of ways to promote anti-racism and diversity within the field of AAC
8 min	Description of current biases that are being perpetuated in the field of AAC
16 min	Description of how to support diverse literacy instruction with AAC users