Episode 235: Kim Hurley & Jessica Conrad (Part 1) - Preparing to Implement the Specific Language System First Approach

This week, we present Part 1 of Chris’s conversation with Kim Hurley and Jessica Conrad about the Specific Language System First Approach! Kim Hurley is an SLP and AAC Specialist who is considering moving her district to the Specific Language System First Approach. Jessica Conrad is an SLP and AAC Specialist who works for the Indiana PATINS project supporting AAC users and their circle of support. Chris, Kim, and Jessica explore some of Kim and Jessica’s concerns with moving towards a Specific Language System First Approach, and how those problems can be minimized or avoided.

Before the interview, Chris and Rachel chat about a recent visit to Arizona to teach a course on AAC and some of Chris’s previous encounters with Indiana’s PATINS project.

Key ideas this week:

🔑 One way to think about the Specific Language System First Approach is through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. A Tier 1 support (i.e., support for almost everyone) would be the Specific Language System you give to almost everyone (e.g. a particular AAC app), while Tier 3 (individual support) would be for students that need a greater level of individual consideration for AAC (e.g. a student with CVI). 

🔑 If you use the Specific Language System First Approach, it is important to remember that there will always be students who need individualized consideration (e.g. students with access issues). One idea is to train team members on the kinds of students that may not be well suited for Tier 1 and what to do if you think a Tier 3 support is needed.

🔑 When choosing the system that will become the Tier 1 support for most students, you can invite admins, teachers, and parents to participate in the discussion about the needs of students and some of the features that would be needed for students to be successful, as well as how those needs are met by particular AAC systems. This can help increase buy-in and lead to better understanding of the needs of teachers and students.