Unlocking communication potential: A Q&A panel on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Tracks
60/120-minute presentations
60-minute presentation
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
Complex communication needs (CCN)
Disability
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I)
| Friday, June 13, 2025 |
| 11:30 AM - 11:40 AM |
| Room L3, Ground Level |
Overview
Dr Clancy Conlon, Charlene Cullen, Leanna Fox, Dr Darryl Sellwood, Associate Professor Andy Smidt and Dr Abi Thirumanickam.
Details
⏫ Panel discussion
⏲️ 11.30am - 12.30pm
⌛ 60-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Intermediate (Some previous learning/working knowledge of topic e.g. treated a few cases)
⏲️ 11.30am - 12.30pm
⌛ 60-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Intermediate (Some previous learning/working knowledge of topic e.g. treated a few cases)
Presenter
Miss Clancy Conlon
CQUniversity
Unlocking communication potential: A Q&A panel on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PMPresentation summary
In our profession, ensuring clinical reasoning is firmly rooted in evidence is crucial. This evidence stems from both research-based and practice-based sources. To strengthen practice-based evidence, speech pathologists are increasingly connecting with each other to share knowledge and elevate professional practice. Yet, opportunities to gather as a larger community to critically examine our work and share insights are rare. This session invites you to bring forward the questions you've always wanted answered!
Join us for a dynamic 60-minute Q&A panel discussion centered on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) across the lifespan. With a panel featuring an Australian AAC researcher, assistive technology suppliers, and an individual with lived experience. This is a unique chance to pose your pressing AAC questions. The session fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, giving you access to a broader perspective on evidence, professional practice, and ethics—all aimed at enriching your clinical decision-making.
Before the event, the facilitator will gather and curate questions to ensure the panelists can respond thoughtfully. Additionally, attendees will be encouraged to ask live questions during the discussion, allowing for real-time engagement and deeper exploration of AAC practices.
This interactive and thought-provoking session will encourage reflection on how you deliver AAC services to individuals with complex communication needs, across all age groups. It's a perfect opportunity to gain new insights, hear diverse perspectives from clinicians, researchers and individuals with lived experience and actively engage with the broader speech pathology community. Whether you're a student or a seasoned SLP, this session promises valuable takeaways for anyone interested in AAC.
Join us for a dynamic 60-minute Q&A panel discussion centered on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) across the lifespan. With a panel featuring an Australian AAC researcher, assistive technology suppliers, and an individual with lived experience. This is a unique chance to pose your pressing AAC questions. The session fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, giving you access to a broader perspective on evidence, professional practice, and ethics—all aimed at enriching your clinical decision-making.
Before the event, the facilitator will gather and curate questions to ensure the panelists can respond thoughtfully. Additionally, attendees will be encouraged to ask live questions during the discussion, allowing for real-time engagement and deeper exploration of AAC practices.
This interactive and thought-provoking session will encourage reflection on how you deliver AAC services to individuals with complex communication needs, across all age groups. It's a perfect opportunity to gain new insights, hear diverse perspectives from clinicians, researchers and individuals with lived experience and actively engage with the broader speech pathology community. Whether you're a student or a seasoned SLP, this session promises valuable takeaways for anyone interested in AAC.
References
Biggs, E. E., Carter, E. W., & Gilson, C. B. (2018). Systematic review of interventions involving aided AAC modeling for children with complex communication needs. American Journal on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, 123(5), 443–473. Education Source Ultimate.
Conlon, C., Preston, R., & Zupan, B. (2024). Is AAC at the top of your tool bag? Conceptualising clinical competence in AAC. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/22000259.2024.2316912
Langarika-Rocafort, A., Mondragon, N. I., & Etxebarrieta, G. R. (2021). A systematic review of research on augmentative and alternative communication interventions for children Aged 6-10 in the last decade. Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools, 52(3), 1–916. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_LSHSS-20-00005
Moorcroft, A., Scarinci, N., & Meyer, C. (2020). ‘We were just of kind of handed it and then it was smoke bombed by everyone’: How do external stakeholders contribute to parent rejection and the abandonment of AAC systems? International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 55(1), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12502
Speech Pathology Australia. (2020). Augmentative and alternative communication clinical guideline. Speech Pathology Australia. https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Members/Clinical_Guidelines/spaweb/Members/Clinical_Guidelines/Clinical_Guidelines.aspx?hkey=f66634e4-825a-4f1a-910d-644553f59140
Conlon, C., Preston, R., & Zupan, B. (2024). Is AAC at the top of your tool bag? Conceptualising clinical competence in AAC. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/22000259.2024.2316912
Langarika-Rocafort, A., Mondragon, N. I., & Etxebarrieta, G. R. (2021). A systematic review of research on augmentative and alternative communication interventions for children Aged 6-10 in the last decade. Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools, 52(3), 1–916. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_LSHSS-20-00005
Moorcroft, A., Scarinci, N., & Meyer, C. (2020). ‘We were just of kind of handed it and then it was smoke bombed by everyone’: How do external stakeholders contribute to parent rejection and the abandonment of AAC systems? International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 55(1), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12502
Speech Pathology Australia. (2020). Augmentative and alternative communication clinical guideline. Speech Pathology Australia. https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Members/Clinical_Guidelines/spaweb/Members/Clinical_Guidelines/Clinical_Guidelines.aspx?hkey=f66634e4-825a-4f1a-910d-644553f59140
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Clancy Conlon is a lecturer at CQUniversity in Rockhampton, QLD. Clancy’s teaching areas include paediatric speech and language as well as augmentative and alternative communication across the lifespan. Clancy is currently enrolled in her PhD through CQUniversity investigating the training experiences, attitudes and self-perceived competence and confidence of Australian speech language pathologists in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Clancy continues to provide clinical services within the disability sector in Australia and overseas in under resourced settings.
Mrs Charlene Cullen
Link Assistive Pty Ltd
Unlocking communication potential: A Q&A panel on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM**********
Charlene is a Speech Pathologist and an Assistive Technology Consultant. With over 25 years of experience working in the disability sector, she has assisted individuals, families, therapists, and educators with trialling and choosing AT and AAC solutions and training them to use for every day independence and participation.
Charlene is the Clinical Team Manager at Link Assistive. She leads a team of speech pathologists and occupational therapists and together they provide consultation, support, and training for AAC and other assistive technologies across Australia.
Charlene has presented workshops on AAC throughout Australia and internationally in Singapore, China and New Zealand. She enjoys presenting and training and is passionate about helping others to find their voice and independence.
Leanna Fox
Centre For AAC And Autism
Unlocking communication potential: A Q&A panel on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM**********
Leanna is a Speech Pathologist with over 20 years clinical experience working in the disability sector. She has supported individuals across the lifespan in the private, school, hospital, government and non-government sector both abroad and in Australia.
Leanna’s primary role is as Regional Clinical Consultant for LAMP for the Centre for AAC and Autism within Liberator Pty Ltd. She has worked for Liberator for over 10 years providing support to people who use AAC, their families, educators and speech pathologists via consultations, assessment support and training on AAC related topics. Additionally she works part time in private practice supporting both children and adults with complex communication needs.
Dr Darryl Sellwood
AGOSCI
Unlocking communication potential: A Q&A panel on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM**********
Dr. Darryl Sellwood completed his award-winning PhD at Flinders University in 2019, focusing on romantic and sexual relationships for people with complex communication needs. Cerebral palsy affects his speech, so he uses a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication strategies.
A computer science graduate with experience in telecommunications, he brings a broad perspective on both user and technical issues. Darryl continues to pursue a research career in the disability field, where his interests in people and technology converge. He is currently contributing to curriculum development and delivering guest lectures for allied health students at several Australian universities.
He serves as chair of AGOSCI, Australia’s peak body connecting professionals, families, and AAC users for inclusive communication advocacy. An incisive and provocative thinker and an engaging speaker, Darryl has presented papers and keynotes at international conferences.
Assoc Professor Andy Smidt
Southern Cross University
Unlocking communication potential: A Q&A panel on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM**********
Associate Professor Andy Smidt is a speech pathologist and researcher at Southern Cross University. Andy’s research interests include assessment of children and adults with intellectual disability, training staff who work with people with intellectual disability, sensory-based intervention for people with severe to profound intellectual disability, and Key Word Sign. Andy is currently the course coordinator for speech pathology at Southern Cross University and has held roles supporting students with disability to succeed in Higher Education with a focus on Universal Design for Learning. Andy is currently editor-in-chief for the Journal of Speech of Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology.
Dr Abirami Thirumanickam
Deakin University
Unlocking communication potential: A Q&A panel on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM**********
Abi is a certified practising speech pathologist and a senior lecturer of Speech Pathology in the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University. She has clinical experience working across public, private, community, and education sectors, focussing on enhancing participation for people with communication access needs and creating more accessible communities. She is the Co-Chair for the South Australian branch of Speech Pathology Australia and holds several advisory board positions. She is currently involved in developing the Augmentative and Alternative Guidelines for Speech Pathology Australia.
Session chair
Shaun Ziegenfusz
Griffith University | The DLD Project
Student volunteer(s)
Amanda Su-yin Mak
Elizabeth Poey
The information contained in this program is current at of the time of publishing but is subject to changes made without notice.
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