FAQ

In addition to Board members the process also involves: · An advisory board consisting of people who use AAC, parent advocates, and representatives from other professions. · Over 100 SLP volunteers · Professional consultants such as a psychometrician, lawyer, and accountant are also involved in the process.

At the July 2016, SIG 12 coordinating committee meeting at the ASHA national office (in response to repeated affiliates' request to pursue certification), members reviewed supporting evidence, available funding, and procedural processes for establishing specialty certification for AAC. The SIG 12 coordinating committee voted unanimous approval to move forward, which led to the formation of an independent petitioning group. The petitioning group consisted of several SIG-12 members who completed the Stage I application. Petitioning group members submitting grants to ASHA to establish specialty certification consisted of Meher Banajee, Kathy Beatty, Ovetta Harris, Katya Hill, Christine Hurtubise, Michael O'Leary, and Nicole Tripp. As members rotated off, new members were included; Mike Cole and Jennifer Cristiano. All AB-AAC members will qualify and meet specialty certification requirements when enacted being held to the same standards as all applicants. (Important note: The work toward establishing specialty certification is not a function of SIG 12).

Undertrained SLPs may not identify a client as a candidate for AAC strategies or technology (Creer et al, 2016). Undertrained SLPs may delay the recommendation for AAC services and prolong the delivery of traditional speech therapy perpetuating the myth that use of an AAC system with impede development of natural speech (Romski and Sevcik, 2005; Romski et al., 2015). SLPs with minimal training may rely too heavily on an AAC manufacturer’s representative (sales person) in the assessment process to select an AAC system. Undertrained SLPs may depend only on one AAC manufacturer to demonstrate and trial an AAC product line to select a speech generating device (SGD) for funding. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expects a minimum of three (3) products to represent a fair range of SGD options. Undertrained SLPs may depend on an AAC manufacturer’s representative to assist in writing the SGD Funding Request to submit for insurance coverage. Undertrained SLPs may modify the assessment and trial process to exclude viable SGDs that might provide the most effective communication due to beneficiary coverage policies, because recommending an SGD with a higher likelihood of denial would require time for the appeal process that is not billable.

Current Timeline May 2023 : Clinical Practice Analysis and assessment mechanism study: Completed May/June 2023 : Initial cohort applications submitted July/August 2023 : Initial cohort applications reviewed and approved Fall/Winter 2023 : Approved applicants will take the exam and will standardize the scores 2024 : AAC Specialty Certification starts and will be awarded to the 1st cohort. By ASHA 2024 : Rolling application process and exam will be available

The CEU requirements are currently under review in consultation with the CCSC and other specialty certification boards to ensure consistency of requirements.

AAC specialty certification is for speech language pathologists who are ASHA-certified members seeking clinical recognition for achieving advanced level AAC knowledge and skills. You are eligible for AAC specialty certification if you are: ASHA CCC-SLP with current certification A Clinical Practitioner certifying a work effort in AAC clinical services, years of experience and continuing education A Master Clinician certifying a work effort in AAC clinical services as well as clinical supervision and/or administrative AAC services, years of experience with teaching/presenting and continuing education.

You can identify an AAC mentor who is board certified to increase your knowledge and skills if you choose. You can quickly identify higher-level training opportunities related to AAC clinical practices and AAC ethics. You have additional AAC resources to seek information on specific AAC clinical practices. You can quickly and easily find AAC specialists to contact to answer your questions about AAC or to make a referral for a more complex or complicated client or situation.

Clarification was requested regarding a slide presented by the AB-AAC at ATIA 2020 during the town hall meeting regarding ASHA’s support for Senate Bill 1836 the Access to Free Speech for All Act (AFSFA). ASHA states that they neither support nor oppose senate bill 1836 at this time.

Allows for complex patients to quickly and easily find providers who are highly skilled in AAC assessment and treatment. Saves precious time for clients and families who go through a trial-and error process to identify AAC intervention, but still have not been fully informed of all their options. Saves money for clients and families who may have selected an AAC intervention and then abandoned treatment, because the AAC intervention failed to meet expectations. Increases client and family confidence and satisfaction in their AAC services knowing that they are working with a specialist who is aware of best practices in their clinical services and can fully inform them of all their options

Yes, as part of this process, an advisory board was created. This advisory board includes People who use AAC as well as parents advocates. The advisory board indicated validation and approval of AAC specialty certification. The advisory board also provides input on grant applications to guide the purpose and requirements needed for AAC specialty certification.

The process for this is underway including: · A clinical practice analysis study in consultation with a psychometrician · A survey will be sent to professional SLP's practicing in the field. · The Ad-Hoc committee will develop test questions · The test will be piloted · The pilot will be reviewed and analyzed to determine if changes are required. · A scoring committee will review and determine cut-off scores

The AB-AAC welcomes input from all organizations and seeks to work collaboratively with stakeholders during this process. The AB-AAC has addressed these concerns and remains open to meeting with the individuals to further discuss any issues of concern should they choose to do so. You will also find a "contact us," section in this website where we can easily be reached. This is an inclusive process and is in response to request for this certification.

The process for specialty certification will include the following items: · An initial form to be filled out with your curriculum vitae and verification of ASHA membership · Verification of continuing education received at the intermediate and advanced levels. · A portfolio including your curriculum Vita · Completion of a standardized test

Clients and families with complex communication needs frequently request services from specialists as do many of us seeking quality health care services. Specialty certification provides the following: Allows for complex patients to quickly and easily find providers who are highly skilled in AAC assessment and treatment. Saves precious time for clients and families who go through a trial-and error process to identify AAC intervention, but still have not been fully informed of all their options. Saves money for clients and families who may have selected an AAC intervention and then abandoned treatment, because the AAC intervention failed to meet expectations. Increases client and family cofidence and satisfaction in their AAC services knowing that they are working with a specialist who is aware of best practices in their clinical services and can fully inform them of all their options.

This is an exciting time for the growth of specialty certification for ASHA Member! ASHA members have participated in surveys such as: Special Interest Group 12 Augmentative and Alternative Communication. (2016, January 13th). SIG 12 Clinical Specialty Certification in AAC Survey. [Data Set]. Council for Clinical Certification for Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CFCC). (2019, October 30th.) Specialty Certification in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). [Data Set]. Showing that SLPs who provide AAC clinical services strongly support specialty certification and an ATIA survey in 2011 with results published in 2017 supporting continuing specialized training in AAC and assistive technology. Assistive technology Industry Association. (2017). The Critical Need for Knowledge and Usage of AT and AAC Among Speech-Language Pathologists. https://www.atia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ATIA-SLP-Survey-2011.pdf ASHA’s peer review survey was sent to nearly 18,000 ASHA certified members who were affiliated with SIG 12 or self-identified as having expertise in the area of AAC and concluded on October 30, 2018. Results concluded that an overwhelming 82.9% of respondents agreed that there should be clinical specialty certification in AAC.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented changes to everyone’s life. Since the start of the Pandemic, like many of you, our members worked and continue to work long hours to maintain our clinical services with added safety, protections, and tele-AAC following recommendations of the CDC, our universities and hospitals, and information from ASHA. We continue to wish everyone health and wellness as we all cope through this time. Current updates: A clinical practice analysis study is under way. It is projected to be completed in 2022 in consultation with a psychometrician and will include the following steps: · A Survey sent to professional SLP's practicing in the field. · The Ad-Hoc committee will develop test questions · The test will be piloted · The pilot will be reviewed and analyzed to determine accuracy of measurement and if changes are required. · A scoring committee will review and determine cut-off scores Other Ad Hoc Committees are working on various volunteer tasks SLPs interested in getting on the mailing database and/or serving as a volunteer are encouraged to e-mail info@aacspecialist.org.

Concrete guidelines for the types of AAC clinical practices a provider should possess when considered a specialist. Increased confidence in identifying the practices that make an SLP an AAC specialist. Holding specialty certification will allow clients/patients to easily identify a CCC-SLP who has achieved third-party recognition as having specialized knowledge and skill in the area of AAC. A community of highly qualified AAC providers that can enhance the dissemination of resources and trainings to generalists in the field. A quick way to identify advanced trainings related to AAC that are directly related to AAC clinical practices and AAC ethics. Increased marketability for job seekers or career recognition and advancement for those gearing their practice towards AAC.

To provide the opportunity for practitioners to specify the nature of the evidence-based AAC clinical practice they deliver. To offer resources for Board Certified Speech Language Pathologist Specialists' life-long learning. To administer an efficient certification program for specialists in the clinical practice for augmentative and alternativecommunication (AAC).

Yes! You will see from the board member bios that experience ranges from: Public education Private education Private practice Outpatient rehabilitation University faculty Hospital settings State Education Department Positions within ASHA And include a variety of patients across the lifespan with a variety of needs. Additionally the over 100 SLP volunteers hail from a wide variety of settings and locations. Finally, the advisory board includes individuals using AAC, parent advocates of individuals using AAC and collaborative professionals

Board members on the American Board for Augmentative and Alternative Communication receive no compensation as these are unpaid positions. Dues and fees will be used toward operations. This can include but is not limited to administrative assistants, accountants, attorney fees, contractors, vendors, website maintenance, and personnel reviewing materials from and assisting AB-AAC certificate applicants.

Visit AAC Specialist.org for updates on the AAC Specialty Certification. Join the over 100 volunteers who have completed a volunteer application. Start your plan for building your AAC clinical services and CE activities.

BE PREPARED! GET ON OUR MAILING LIST! VOLUNTEER! Start to build your resume or CV to document your AAC clinical work experience and effort. Join our mailing list & complete a volunteer application: email us at info@aacspecialist.org Stay excited and stand up for the privilege to have your AAC knowledge and skills recognized. You worked hard to acquire your advanced level clinical practices and to provide best practices to your clients and families.