Greene County ESC Assistive Technology Consultation and Coaching Services
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Evaluation
Purpose
The purpose of the GCESC Evaluation, Consultation and Coaching Services program is to support district personnel in building their capacity to evaluate and support students with assistive technology needs.
What it IS:
- Job embedded professional development on-site, in school districts
- Evaluation to recommend assistive technology options (low and high tech) for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), computer access, reading, writing, electronic aids and activities of daily living (ADL)
- Consultation to recommend evidence-based interventions for assistive technology use
- Ongoing coaching support for staff implementation of evidence-based practices for Assistive Technology.
What it is NOT:
- Direct student intervention beyond that which is involved in the coaching process.
- Supplier of AT devices beyond evaluation trial(s)
Initial Assistive Technology Consultation
$2200 per referral
Includes:
- Phase 1:
- Classroom observation for purpose of evaluation/consultation
- Review of relevant records
- Needs assessment that includes contact with a student’s educational team through interviews and/or direct participation in the evaluation process
- Direct parent contact or indirect gathering of parental input regarding the AT/AAC referral and evaluation process
- Phase 2:
- Evaluation will include observation of student communicating with others across his/her daily school routine
- Brief AT/AAC trials for the purpose of observing student’s response to AT/AAC aids and base level skills with AT/AAC materials
- Review of assessment with at least key educational team members with opportunity for additional input and questions
- Determination of need for further AT/AAC trials. GCESC owns a device that can be loaned out to students who are being evaluated for a two-week period of time. As needed AAC vendors can be invited into the evaluation process and/or the GCESC consultant can work in conjunction with any vendors already involved with the student. If the device is not needed for another referral, districts can pay to continue trialing it for $100/week.
- Recommendations and troubleshooting regarding implementation, coaching and support of student and team for use of assistive technology
- Phase 3
- Completion of written report with summary and recommendations
- Presentation/explanation of recommendations with education team
- Develop plan, if needed, for any follow up AT Support Coaching or AT Support for helping districts with Funding Applications. GCESC reports are intentionally written in a similar format to that needed for funding applications. Information can be transferred to a funding application as needed.
Highly Recommended:
Follow Up AT Support Coaching and/or AT Funding Application Support
- Only available after completion of initial consultation
- $500 for up to 8 hours of consult
Example Topics for Job Embedded Professional Development by the Greene County ESC
Assistive Technology Consultant/Coach:
- Guiding others to define assistive technology needs and identify desired outcomes
- Support for trials of AT devices/equipment (low and/or high tech)
- Determining related behavioral and social emotional skill deficits if present
- Determining functional capacities and strengths of a student
- Determining appropriate tiers of support
- Identifying and teaching replacement behaviors/communication
- Identifying related task demands
- Scaffolding of assistive technology supports
- Developing a transfer and generalization plan
Contacts: