Augmentative communication consulting speech services are provided to two area public school districts. The program which has been in place over 10 years, has provided training for staff in area schools. The assistance needed from the UCDD has decreased yearly as school staff speech pathologists have been empowered to provide the services in their school systems. Staff now provide consultations only on the most challenging students involving augmentative communication. The consulting speech pathologist acts as a member of the team with the schools and participates in IEP planning. Staff assist the schools in obtaining appropriate augmentative equipment for the children served. Staff participate in the classroom to assess the most successful ways for the child to communicate. Staff program computers so that the children will be able to participate in the classroom and teaches school staff how to program the computers independently.
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