Additional Resources

For additional information on early intervention:

• Visit AAC Learning Center  for the free webcasts:
  • AAC Interventions to Maximize Language Development for Young Children by Janice Light, and Kathy Drager.  The session will discuss: (1) effective designs for AAC systems to better meet the needs and skills of young children, and (2) effective techniques to implement AAC with young children who have significant communication disabilities (ages 0-3) and their families.  Implications for effective evidence-based practice will be discussed using case studies (supported by videos) to illustrate the effects of these interventions on language and communication development. 
  • Introduction to the use of AAC for children with complex communication needs by Kathy Drager, Janice Light, and David McNaughton.   This 20-minute webcast is designed as an introduction to the use of AAC. It focuses on ways to provide communication opportunities, model the use of AAC, pause, respond to the child, and most of all, to have fun !

• Click for a downloadable PDF of readings related to early intervention and AAC.
•  See below for Recent Publications and Presentations.

 Emma signs the word, "duck."

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Recent Publications and Presentations

• Drager, K., Light, J., & McNaughton, D. (2011). Effects of AAC interventions on communication and language for young children with complex communication needs. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 3, 303-310.

• Light, J. & Drager, K. (2010, November). Effects of early AAC intervention for children with Down syndrome. Miniseminar presented at the Annual Conference of the American Speech Language Hearing Association, Philadelphia, PA.

• Drager, K. & Light, J. (2010). A comparison of the performance of 5-year-old children using iconic encoding in AAC systems with and without iconic prediction. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 26, 12-20.  [Full Text]

• Costigan, F.A. & Light, J. (2010). The effect of seated position on upper extremity access to augmentative communication for children with cerebral palsy: Preliminary investigation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64, 596-604.

• Drager, K., Light, J., Devlin, C., Millsop, C., & Offitto, J. (2009). Adults With developmental disabilities who require AAC: Improving social interaction. American Speech and Hearing Association.

• Drager, K.D.R., Light, J.C., & Finke, E.H. (2008). Using AAC technologies to build social interaction with young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In P. Mirenda, & T. Iacono (Eds.) Autism Spectrum Disorders and AAC. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.
• Light, J., & Drager, K. (2007). AAC technologies for young children with complex communication needs: State of the science and future research directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 23, 204–216. [Full Text]

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