Date: 12/11/2026 Time: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM PST Location: Internet Type: Webinar
Description
Young AAC users develop identity, voice, and early literacy through language exploration, yet traditional interventions often restrict them to basic requests. This session explores how AI can scaffold a child’s original ideas during play, expanding vocabulary without replacing their voice. Discover strategies to integrate AI into early AAC to support language, identity, and literacy growth.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Identify two characteristics of emergent literacy development in young AAC users
- Describe how AI-supported language expansion can support early language and identity development
- Implement two play-based strategies that integrate AI to expand language and early literacy opportunities
Agenda
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM (15 min) | Introductions, disclosures, and session objectives
8:45 AM – 9:20 AM (35 min) | Early AAC intervention foundations Limitations of focusing on requesting and functional vocabulary
9:20 AM – 9:55 AM (35 min) | Language development through interaction, exposure, and emergent literacy Building language through meaningful interactions / Emergent literacy development in young AAC users
9:55 AM – 10:20 AM (25 min) | Identity development in early communicators Role of language in expressing preference, perspective, and personality
10:20 AM – 10:55 AM (35 min) | Using AI to expand language in early development Supporting vocabulary, sentence structure, and symbolic understanding
10:55 AM – 11:15 AM (20 min) | Play-based implementation strategies Embedding AI into routines, interaction, and storytelling
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM (10 min) | Case examples, summary, reflection, and participant questions
Course Completion Requirements:
Completion requires learners to (1) view/attend the instructional presentation in full; (2) complete informal learning assessment/reflection. Attendance will be monitored through Zoom. Course requirements must be submitted no later than 12/14/2026.
Audience
SLPs in K-12 schools working with students who use AAC.
SLP, OT, PT, COTA, Paraeducator, Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Parents, TVI
No prerequisite learning or materials needed.
Presenters
Brenda Del Monte. MA, CCC-SLP
Instructor Disclosure: Brenda Del Monte receives payment from the Special Education Technology Center. She owns a company called Technically Speaking AAC and co-hosts and develops content for “Awe and Wonder AAC & AT Podcast”. She receives royalties from Amazon for the sale of her book “I See You In There”.
Policies
For all of our policies, including accommodations, refunds, and complaints, please refer to the SETC Website Help Page.
Contact
Email Sue Wright at the SETC office.
Clock hours for this webinar and others in this series are available from ESD105 for a small fee. The following Professional Development Enroller link provides more information about clock hours: Pending