Hallie and her guest Alexia Bassin discuss AAC and high school students

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Alexia Bassin, a seasoned speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience in the NYC Public Schools! With a passion for empowering fellow SLPs, Alexia shares her journey working in special education and her expertise in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). From her role as an assistive technology evaluator to creating 'AAC Corner,' a series of bite-sized videos to help SLPs master AAC, Alexia’s dedication shines through. Tune in for practical tips, collaboration advice, and real-world strategies that will help you elevate your AAC game in the classroom. Let’s dive into all things AAC!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Age-Respectful Communication
• Expanding AAC Beyond Requests
• Resources and Support
• Adapting to Technology Changes
• Advice for Newcomers to AAC

Here’s what we learned:

• Evolution of AAC technology from clunky devices to apps like Proloquo2Go.
• Importance of choosing a flexible AAC system that grows with the student.
• Leveraging Instagram and online communities to stay updated on AAC strategies and tools.
• Balancing student interests (e.g., Disney Cars) with age-appropriate content.
• Encouraging exploration of new, age-respectful topics through AAC.
• Collaboration with teachers and other related service providers to implement successful strategies.

Learn more about Alexia Bassin:

Instagram: alexia_slp_chronicles

TikTok: lex_slp_chronicles

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets