Get .1 ASHA CEU hereEpisode SummaryWhat is harder (and even more rewarding, I might add) than supporting the communication development of tiny humans?  Well, providing early intervention to tiny humans with complex communication needs, of course.  Graduate training certainly doesn’t prepare us for everything and most SLP’s get minimal to no didactic or clinical exposure to early intervention OR supporting complex communicators, making this mash-up a true head scratcher for many of us.  I had the pleasure of joining Kate and Amy this week to geek out on AAC and try my best to demystify some of the barriers that SLP’s in the early intervention setting encounter when trying their darndest to serve complex communicators and their families.  Tune in for some validation, some practical advice, and hopefully some reassurance as you navigate this complicated territory, given minimal resources across the board.  We’ll chat about coaching, teaming, and joy, and offer some myth-busting insights to help you stop chasing those “unicorns” that often result in delayed introduction of AAC tools and strategies to children under the age of three years.  Hang in there EI SLP-you got this, and your Nerds have your back!Learn more about Tanna here.Course AccommodationsThe transcript for this course is provided below. You can also email us at ceu@slpnerdcast.comLearning OutcomesIdentify at least two barriers to AAC implementation in an early intervention settingIdentify at least 5 strategies to overcome barriers to AAC implementation in an early intervention settingIdentify at least 2 resources for expanding scope of competence in AAC for early intervention cliniciansReferencesLight, J., & Mcnaughton, D. (2015). Designing AAC Research and Intervention to Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 31(2), 85-96. doi:10.3109/07434618.2015.1036458During this episode a stack of literature was references on AACcessible.org. You can access that stack here.Online ResourcesAAC Early Starts Conference: https://www.theaacacademy.org/course/aac-early-starts-conferenceAAC Early Starts Call for Papers: https://www.aaccessible.org/call-for-papersPerkins School for the Blind: https://www.perkins.org/DIR / Floortime: https://www.icdl.com/The Hanen Center: http://www.hanen.org/Home.aspxSpeaker Disclosures:Tanna Neufeld financial disclosures: Tanna receives a salary from the University of Washington, and receives donations for consultation services, mentoring services, course offerings, and products on AACcessible.org. A portion of these donations is used to subsidize overhead costs for an organization which she founded and directs. Tanna receives honorariums for speaking at conferences and workshops in the Seattle Community. She is a paid advisor and consultant for Goally, an assistive technology company. She is also a seller on Teachers Pay Teachers and Boom Learning, for which she receives funds for her products.Tanna Neufeld non-financial disclosures: Tanna is a member of ASHA and ASHA SIG 1, 11, and 12.  She is president on the board of AACcessible Foundation and a volunteer, contributing editor for SLP Nerdcast.  Kate Grandbois financial disclosures: Kate is the owner / founder of Grandbois Therapy + Consulting, LLC and co-founder of SLP Nerdcast.  Kate Grandbois non-financial disclosures: Kate is a member of ASHA, SIG 12, and serves on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children. She is also a member of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT), MassABA, the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the corresponding Speech Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis SIG. Amy Wonkka financial disclosures: Amy is an employee of a public school system and co-founder for SLP Nerdcast. Amy Wonkka non-financial disclosures: Amy is a member of ASHA, SIG 12, and serves on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children.Course