This session is part of two comprehensive series:
26th Annual Therapies in the School Conference PROGRAM A – ON-DEMAND 12
and
26th Annual Therapies in the School Conference – ON-DEMAND 12
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students with complex communication needs (CCN) — including those who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and those who communicate predominantly through pre-linguistic signals or echolalia — require partners across disciplines who understand how to nurture their social and communicative potential. Occupational and physical therapists are in a unique position to serve as communication partners by using movement, sensory exploration, and daily living activities as rich opportunities for interaction, emotional connection, and language growth.
This session will provide OTs and PTs with a foundational understanding of how regulation, engagement, and relatedness form the bedrock for communication development in students with CCN. Participants will explore how dysregulation, disengagement, and barriers to relatedness can be observed and supported to set the stage for communication learning. Practical, discipline-appropriate strategies will be shared to help therapists scaffold communication naturally within therapy activities.
Participants will learn techniques they can immediately apply to support complex communicators (including pre-linguistic communicators and AAC users) and suspected gestalt language processors (GLPs) who may use echolalia for various regulatory and communicative functions. Emphasis will be placed on adapting therapeutic routines, attributing meaning to communicative signals, providing accessible and supportive communication opportunities, and partnering with students as competent agents. Additionally, participants will explore how to validate and expand upon echolalic scripts and non-symbolic communication signals through movement, environmental adaptation, playful effect, and natural language mapping.
Importantly, this session will also highlight how becoming a supportive communication partner can directly and positively impact therapy goals in the motor, sensory, and daily living domains. By fostering stronger emotional connection, motivation, and participation, therapists can enhance the effectiveness of their primary interventions while simultaneously supporting students’ communication growth. By the end of the session, therapists will be empowered with tools and mindsets that honor their professional scope while elevating their impact as essential partners in fostering connection, communication, and participation for students with CCN.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Recognize the foundational context for communication growth in students with complex communication needs (CCN).
- Apply strategies to validate and expand echolalia and non-symbolic communication signals through movement, affect, and natural language mapping.
- Choose strategies to scaffold communication during daily activities for students with CCN across different communication profiles (pre-linguistic, AAC users, and/or gestalt language processors).
AUDIENCE:
School-based therapists including OTs, PTs, SLPs and Special Educators.
COURSE OUTLINE:
- Overview of Complex Communication Needs (CCN) & Communication Diversity
- Foundations of Communication: Regulation, Engagement, and Relatedness
- Strategies to Scaffold Communication in Your Therapy Sessions
- Pulling It Together, Next Steps and Post-test
Tanna Neufeld is a state-licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and AAC specialist with nearly 20 years of experience supporting children and young adults with developmental differences. Her clinical work spans home, school, clinic, and virtual environments, with a focus on empowering individuals with complex communication needs to access and develop meaningful connection and communication.
Tanna currently serves as a research associate and is pursuing her doctoral degree in infant and early childhood development with a focus on mental health and developmental disabilities. Her research centers on parental reflective functioning and communication outcomes in autistic children. She also leads a boutique consulting and coaching practice, offering personalized training, mentorship, and technical assistance to professionals and families navigating the AAC journey.
As the founding director of AACcessible, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving global access to AAC through education, advocacy, awareness, and action, Tanna oversees a team of volunteers and contributors united by a shared commitment to enhancing social-emotional and communicative outcomes for individuals with complex needs. In addition to her leadership, coaching, and research work, she regularly engages in international speaking and consulting, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to advance best practices in AAC and inclusive care. Learn more about Tanna and her work here: https://aaccessible.wixsite.com/tannaneufeld
Tanna Neufeld receives an honorarium from Education Resources. Tanna also receives and consulting fee, has intellectual property rights and receives a royalties and an honoraria from AACcessible Foundation.
Tanna Neufeld is a Founding director, of the nonprofit organization AACcessible and is a member of the Board.
Once you purchase an online course you will have access to the course materials. If you have purchased this course, please ensure you have logged in to your account in order to take the exam.
Once you purchase an online course, you will have the opportunity to take an exam to test your retention of the material. If you have purchased this course, please ensure you have logged in to your account in order to take the exam. The exam must be completed with a pass rate of 80% or more in order to receive your certificate of attendance.
Continuing Education Hours for disciplines not listed below: 1.5 contact hours (1.5 CEUs). Intermediate level. License #______________.
Education Resources Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 13946. This Distance Learning-Independent Course is offered at 1.5 contact hours 1.5 CEUs (Intermediate Level, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge & Professional Issues). AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products or clinical procedures. This course can be used toward your NBCOT renewal requirements for 1.5 units. Provider for the FL Occupational Therapy Association CE Broker for 1.8 CE Hours - approval #____. This course has been approved by the MD State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for __ Continuing Education Hours. This session applies 1.5 CE hours toward approval but must be combined with entire Program B sessions to receive approval by the MN Board of PT, #___. Approval #___ by the NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 1.5 CECs. Approved sponsor by the State of IL Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for Physical Therapy for 1.8 contact hours. Approved provider by the NY State Board of PT for 1.8 contact hours (0.18 CEUs). Education Resources is an approved agency by the PT Board of CA for 1.5 contact hours. This activity is provided by the TX Board of PT Examiners accredited provider #2810017TX for 1.5 CCUs and meets continuing competence requirements for PTs and PTAs licensure renewal in TX. Approved Provider for OK State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision #BAP202310003. Approved Provider by the NM Board of Physical Therapy for 1.5 CE Hours. 1.5 hours of this course qualify towards the discipline-specific hours for the 20-hour requirement for NDTA re-certification. They do NOT qualify towards the 8-hour NDTA Instructor requirement for re-certification.
Education Resources Inc., 266 Main Street, Suite 12, Medfield, MA 02052 508-359-6533
