Speaker Series: Catherine Horton, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA

Team members often have differing views regarding how to ethically teach AAC skills. This presentation explores several hot topics including aided language, core vocabulary, presumed competence and prompting strategies. Differences in jargon and teaching approaches by SLPs and behavior analysts are discussed, with practical implementation suggestions proposed as a bridge to collaboration between the fields.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

· Describe current trends in the field of AAC, including presumed competence, core vocabulary, aided language, and prompting strategies.

· Describe strategies for working cooperatively with all educational team members

Catherine Horton is dually certified as both a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maine with a B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She went on to earn a M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of New Hampshire. Catherine has earned the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from the University of New England. Most recently, Catherine has also completed all requirements for certification as a behavior analyst. Prior to her employment with Pyramid Educational Consultants, Catherine worked as a speech language pathologist providing therapy to children with significant special needs in hospital, group home and school settings. Catherine has been a consultant at Pyramid for over 10 years. She currently provides trainings regarding PECS and the Pyramid Approach to Education to parents and professionals across the United States. Catherine also consults to educational teams across the country, focusing on the development of functional communication systems and effective educational environments for students with special needs. She has also published literature in both Focus on Autism and the Autism Advocate. Catherine has a wealth of expertise in working with students with developmental disabilities and is passionate about her work.