Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Empowering Practitioners: Leveraging Tele-AAC for Improved Outcomes

Empowering Practitioners: Leveraging Tele-AAC for Improved Outcomes

As a passionate advocate for the power of data-driven decisions in speech-language pathology, I am excited to delve into the significant findings from the research article "Tele-AAC Resolution" published in the International Journal of Telerehabilitation. This pivotal study outlines the unique opportunities and challenges associated with Tele-AAC, a cross-disciplinary clinical service delivery model combining telepractice and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.

Approximately 1.3% of all people, or about 4 million Americans, cannot rely on their natural speech to meet their daily communication needs. Tele-AAC provides a potentially cost-effective service delivery mechanism to offer clinical AAC services at a distance, benefiting underserved populations in the United States and worldwide.

Key Findings from the Tele-AAC Resolution

The Tele-AAC Working Group from the 2012 ISAAC Research Symposium has underscored several critical areas that practitioners should focus on to improve their skills and enhance service delivery:

Adherence to Ethical Standards and Laws

Tele-AAC, like other telepractice applications, requires adherence to the ASHA Code of Ethics, state, federal, and international laws. Practitioners must demonstrate adequate technical competency, maintain appropriate licensure, and employ principles of evidence-based practice. This ensures that the services provided are both ethical and effective.

Training and Professional Development

The Working Group recommends that institutions of higher education and professional organizations provide training in Tele-AAC service provision. This training should combine theoretical foundations with hands-on clinical practicum experience, covering all aspects of service delivery, collaborative teaming, and available technology and resources.

Research and Development

Ongoing research and development are crucial to advancing Tele-AAC practices. The Working Group highlights the need for research to:

Call to Action for Practitioners

As practitioners, it is essential to stay informed about the latest advancements in Tele-AAC and to continuously improve our skills to provide the best possible outcomes for our clients. I encourage you to delve deeper into the research, implement the findings in your practice, and contribute to the ongoing development of Tele-AAC services.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Tele-AAC Resolution.


Citation: Anderson, K., Boisvert, M. K., Doneski-Nicol, J., Gutmann, M. L., Hall, N. C., Morelock, C., Steele, R., & Cohn, E. R. (2012). Tele-AAC Resolution. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 4(2), 79-82. https://doi.org/10.5195/IJT.2012.6106
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP