INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAM:
The Waisman Center’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Outreach Program, also known as the Communication Development Program (CDP), was developed over 30 years ago as a partnership between the Trace Research and Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Waisman Center University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and the Dane County Department of Human Services.
Today, CDP is a UCEDD Program which operates in partnership with Dane County Department of Human Resources. The mission of CDP is to enhance community participation, health, safety, and self-determination for individuals with disabilities through specialized Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology consultation.
CDP is open to children and youth birth to 21 years old, who are enrolled in the Children’s -Long-Term-Support Program in Dane County, Wisconsin.
The speech language pathologists who work in the CDP specialize in the implementation of AAC systems and provide consultation and training to individuals, their families, and their team members to provide effective, real-world, community-based training and consultation in homes, places of employment, and elsewhere in the community. CDP strives to enhance the individual AAC user’s potential, community participation, and self-determination.
Three consultation and training packages are available as outlined below.
Communication Development Program (CDP)
Strengthening a Person’s Ability to Communicate Effectively
Three Consultation and Training Options
Getting Started
Introducing AAC to Emergent Communicators
Six visits over six months to explore what works
- Lite-tech communication
- Visual behavioral supports
- Equipment, speech generating devices
Making it Work
AAC Skill Building for the Team
Six visits over six months to strengthen team’s skills
- Device operating basics (e.g., making customizations, updating the device)
- Device usage
- Teaching strategies
Transitions
Using AAC to Move From One Life Stage to the Next
Three visits over six months to provide:
- Communication profile for new team
- Resources including material and connections to other organizations
- Time for planning communications goals across settings
MEET THE STAFF:
Anne Hinker, MS, CCC-SLP
Clinic Team
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jennifer Seale, PhD, CCC-SLP
Clinic Team
Speech-Language Pathologist