Understanding Autism Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens

Course Number: ABIO2215

When: Available May 18, 2022 – May 18, 2027

Where: Audio available once you register under “Course Content” at the bottom of this page.

Description: This session discussed neurodiversity affirming practices and explored types of therapy approaches that support the neurodiverse population. This session defined types of functional goals and discussed how to use them effectively. This session also identified reasons to consider AAC and how to identify a robust system to fit a client’s needs.

Who This Course Is Good For:

Any ASHA member, CCC holder, or other professional that is licensed or credentialed to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology or preparing to earn ASHA CEUs.
Any speech-language pathologist (SLP) who works with alternative and augmentative devices (AAC).
Any speech-language pathologist (SLP) who wants to learn more about neurodiverse affirming language.
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) who works with autistic children and other neurodiverse populations.
Any speech-language pathologist (SLP) who works with a variety of age ranges.

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.

CARI EBERT, M.S, CCC-SLP

Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1993 and her master’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1995. Cari is a therapist, consultant, author, and nationally recognized speaker who gets paid to do what she loves most…TALK! She works exclusively with young children, birth to age five, and their families and believes that early intervention is the key to future success. She has dedicated her career to helping young children achieve their maximum potential with speech, language, and social-emotional development. Cari has an autistic son which allows her to engage audiences both as a professional and as a parent of a neurodivergent child.

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.

Cari Ebert has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Cari is author of the book, The Learning to Learn Program, which she will reference in this training. Cari receives royalties from all book and product sales on her website. She also benefits financially for presenting this course.

Cari Ebert has the following nonfinancial relationships to disclose: Cari has an autistic son and shares personal experiences in her trainings.

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

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

Define neurodiversity affirming practices
Describe 2 types of therapy approaches
Describe 3 types of functional goals
Identify 2 reasons to consider AAC

Agenda

10 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
12 min	Discussion of neurodiversity affirming practices
6 min	Description of different therapy approaches
12 min	Discussion about writing functional goals
14 min	Discussion about when to consider AAC
6 min	Discussion of helpful resources