From Problem-Solving to Solution-Finding: A Solution-Focused Approach to AAC Intervention

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ONLINEASHA-INTER

Instructions

Friday, May 9, 2025, 5:00 AM - Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 11:59 PM

Even though the literature has demonstrated that caregiver engagement and coaching can be an effective method of intervention, professionals often report difficulty implementing these strategies. In the area of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), such challenges can result in device abandonment, leaving an AAC communicator without an effective form of communication. It has been ingrained in SLPs to identify problems to address rather than to collaboratively identify solutions in partnership with their clients. In this course, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) will be introduced to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) techniques as a method of caregiver collaboration that can be incorporated in the context of AAC intervention.

Learners will be given a set of tools and strategies that can immediately be used in practice. This learning module is currently part of a research study.

• You are eligible to participate if you are: a) an ASHA certified SLP, b) have 1 year of experience working with pediatric and/or adult AAC users with congenital diagnoses and/or their caregivers, and c) are currently employed as an SLP.

• You are NOT eligible to participate if: a) you have prior formal training in solution-focused brief therapy, b) have a Master’s degree or higher in the field of counseling or psychology, or c) do not have reliable access to the internet via computer, tablet, or smartphone.

1. Identify at least three key elements of SFBT.
2. Explain two benefits of using SFBT in supporting families of AAC users.
3. Discuss 1-2 relevant long-term goals for the client based on a sample "best hopes" and "preferred future" conversation.
4. Apply the solution-focused scaling technique in a hypothetical scenario to determine 3 relevant short-term goals for the client.
5. Construct 1 relevant activity to incorporate in a solution-focused therapy session based on a video and/or transcript of a solution-focused conversation.

Select the register tab above to register for the course and complete the Demographic Survey.

• Click the "Register" tab 
• Select "General Registration" 
• Complete the Demographic Survey 

After you register for the course, you will gain access to the course for completion. 

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Content Disclosure
The content of this course does not focus exclusively on any specific proprietary product or service.

Prerequisites
None

Satisfactory Completion Requirements
Participants must complete a pretest perception and knowledge assessment, watch all video modules, and complete the posttest perception and knowledge assessments within 30 days to receive credit. Partial credit is not available.

Refund Policy
Refunds are not available for courses offered at no cost.

In support of improving patient care, VCU Health Continuing Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

 

 

 

 

This program is offered for 0.30 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level; Professional Content Area).

ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.

Accommodation
All participants have the right to participate in this continuing education activity without discrimination due to age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex (sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and pregnancy), protected veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact us at [email protected] for more information. Requests for accommodations must be received 21 days prior to activity start date.

Complaint Policy and Resolution Process
All complaints must be made in writing to [email protected].

All complaints will be logged into the complaint log. The Director, Continuing Education will attempt to resolve the complaint within the first contact, when possible, and will respond to the client and customer's concerns within 5 business days of the initial complaint. At the time of the first contact, Director, Continuing Education will inform the complainant if more time will be needed to research the complaint.

If the complaint is still unresolved after communication with the Director, Continuing Education, or if the initial complaint is not addressed in a timely manner, the complainant may contact the President & CEO, UHS-PEP. The President & CEO will then contact the complainant and endeavor to resolve the complaint within 10 business days after being contacted.

The complaint log will be regularly reviewed to identify areas of operations and service that may require improvement. The Director, Continuing Education will research reoccurring complaint matters and recommend process and procedure changes, when appropriate. These changes will be noted on the Complaint Resolution Log, and any necessary policy and/or procedure updates will be made within 15 business days thereafter.

Disclaimers
Minimum and maximum numbers for attendance at this event have been established, and we reserve the right to substitute speakers/topics, adjust credit hours, or cancel if necessary.

By attending this event you grant VCU Health Continuing Education the right at the event to record, film, photograph, or capture your likeness in any media and to distribute, broadcast, use, or otherwise disseminate, in perpetuity, such media without any further approval from or any payment to you. 

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications and/or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

ASHA CEUs - Intermediate (0.30 hours)

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

VCU Health Continuing Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.