Transitioning an augmented communicator to the next level of communication and the next level of communication aid is one of the most common augmentative and alternative (AAC) challenges for clinicians, teachers and parents.  A new Transitioning Toolkit is now available from Prentke Romich Company (PRC) to guide and support the transitions process. 

Developed with input from practicing clinicians across the country, the Transitioning Toolkit contains:

• Guidelines for transitioning clients
• Sample letters for teachers and parents
• A guide to writing IEP objectives for a transitioning client
• A "Parents' Guide" to language milestones
• Profiles of successful augmented communicators
• Practice exercises and workbooks
• Comparative word lists
• Funding guide for communication aids
• A full color Language Development Progress Chart

The Transitioning Toolkit is available for $49.95 and includes print materials plus a CD-ROM that allows clinicians to make copies of the more than 80 materials for use with multiple clients.  Anyone supporting clients using the SpringBoard communication aid from PRC will be especially interested in the toolkit.

"The Toolkit was developed after talking with clinicians and teachers supporting clients who may be able to progress" according to Teri Madak, MA, CCC-SLP.  "We discovered that there are many different models for deciding how and when to transition a client and very few support tools for the speech-language pathologist managing this process."  Nearly a dozen clinicians, faculty and AAC practitioners from around the country contributed ideas to the toolkit. 

More information about the toolkit is available on the PRC website which is http://www.prentrom.com

© 2004 ConnSENSE Bulletin