AAC for All. Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practice

Introduction
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
Reviewers

Chapter 1. Professional and Cultural Competence for the AAC Provider  

Chapter 2. Differing Perspectives on Disability and AAC

Chapter 3. Language Diversity in Context of AAC

Chapter 4. Culturally Responsive Assessment for AAC

Chapter 5. Communication Partner Training

Chapter 6. Practical Implementation of AAC with CLD Populations

Chapter 7. International AAC Practices and Attitudes

Appendices 
Index

Within the field of speech language pathology, there is a growing awareness of the need to adapt our services to better serve a diverse population. AAC for All: Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices is designed to serve as a resource for practicing speech language pathologists and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialists working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) populations. Written in an easily accessible style, this text walks the clinician through the process of supporting this particular population and includes tips and resources for easy implementation. 

Unlike other books on AAC topics, this book directly focuses on the unique needs of CLD students with complex communication needs. By highlighting important considerations and practical steps rooted in evidence-based practice (EBP), this unique resource ensures the AAC provider is meeting the needs of all their students regardless of their backgrounds. The text encompasses every stage of supporting CLD students and their families along their communication journey, including the clinician’s preliminary steps of reflection upon the interplay of culture and language, and differences in attitudes towards disability and AAC. With this understanding, the authors guide the reader through practical, yet culturally responsive assessments and interventions strategies that can be adapted to meet the needs of any student who uses AAC.

• More than 50 illustrations and graphs to help clarify and expand on key concepts covered throughout the text; enabling readers to more easily understand and apply complex material.
• Use of highly readable excerpts throughout the book in the form of Explorations of key terms, Perspectives & Insights describing real life professional experiences from the authors, and TIPS (To Implement Proper Strategies) to guide the reader through practical intervention recommendations.
• A clinician-friendly writing style that will have this book repeatedly reached for as it guides the reader through their learning and clinical practice.
• A PluralPlus companion website with printable versions of both the forms from the book and additional resources, including:
  • Cultural Competence Roadmap
  • CLD AAC Myths & Realities Handout
  • CLD Assessment Tools List
  • CLD Assessment Process Checklist 
  • Ethnographic Interview Form
  • Partner Training Checklist
  • Participation Plan Samples
  • CLD Book List for Therapy

Mollie G. Mindel, MS, CCC-SLP, is the Director of AT/AAC Services for SPG in Walnut Creek, CA. Having received her MS in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State University specializing in AAC, with a prior BA in Cultural Anthropology, Ms. Mindel’s passion is helping students and families with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds overcome barriers to culturally responsive services in AAC. Her professional focus is on AT/AAC program development, professional training, mentorship of SLPs wishing to specialize in AAC, and directly supporting students with complex communication needs on their AAC journey.

Jeeva John, MS, CCC-SLP, received her MS in Communication Disorders from Bowling Green State University and a BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Dr S.R.C. Institute of Speech Hearing in Bangalore, India. Ms. John is an SLP as well as an AT and AAC specialist, and runs an AAC focused private practice. She has developed a passion for supporting school-age AAC users as well as their communication partners, and mentoring graduate clinicians and SLPs developing a competence with AAC through her work in special day classrooms.