Communication Strategies and Resources

Do you work with or support people with communication difficulties? Do you want information on how to be a more effective communication partner? Yes? Then this is the workshop for you!

This workshop will provide information on the many different types of communications aids and strategies available to support someone with communication difficulties. It will show you how these can be used to support communication, social interaction, self determination and community inclusion.

Participants will learn who benefits from different aids, when to use the aid, how to introduce and adapt communication aids to meet the needs of an individual.

This workshop is an excellent workshop for people already familiar with the Triple C assessment.

Who should attend?

• Anyone who is familiar with the Triple C assessment
• Support workers
• Family members
• Coordinators
• Therapy aids

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Identify appropriate communication strategies for adults with complex communication needs
• Design a communication aid
• Implement a communication strategy for an individual
• Have an understanding of how to use the InterAACtion resources (DVD, manual, kit)

Presenters

Denise West or Karen Bloomberg 

Denise West is a speech pathologist with over 20 years experience working with adolescents and adults who have complex communication needs. Denise has worked as a senior speech pathologist providing AAC consultancy services to day and residential services across Victoria. Over the past 7 years Denise has co-ordinated the Communication Access Network in Victoria. This model - A hub and spoke model of speech pathology services has been successfully implemented in 18 sites across Victoria. 

Denise currently job shares the role of manager of Scope's Communication Resource Centre in Victoria. She is co-author of the “Triple C-Checklist of Communication Competencies”- a screening assessment for early communicators and co-author of “InterAACtion-Strategies for Unintentional and Intentional Communicators”. 

Karen Bloomberg is a speech pathologist at the Communication Resource Centre experienced in working with people who have complex communication needs. Resources she has developed include: “PrAACtically Speaking”, Triple C assessment, and the InterAACtion manual (Strategies for intentional and unintentional communicators). She has co-authored a number of books and research papers. She lectures in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) at Latrobe University, is the national training coordinator for Key Word Sign Australia and works for the Communication Resource Centre, Scope.

Registrations

To register for this workshop you will need to complete an application form. The application form can be downloaded here or contact the Communication Resource Centre: Telephone  03 9843 2000; Email crc@scopevic.org.au; 830 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill 3128.