AAC Strategies for Patients with ALS

Course Code: REL-RTS-0-AACALS

Hours: 1

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2027

Learning Objectives:
Match features of low- and high-tech AAC devices to the clinical presentation of persons with ALS.
Recognize the implementation process for AAC devices to maximize independent communication for persons with ALS.
Identify practical strategies to obtain funding for AAC devices.

Outline:

Section 1: Background

Why It Matters

What Is ALS?

What Is AAC?

Types of AAC

AAC Features

Review

Summary

Section 2: Treatment Considerations and Implementation

SLP Role

Implementation Process

Yes/No System

Feature Matching

Communication Partners and Education

Summary

Section 3: AAC Funding

AAC Funding: Insurance

Documentation Requirements

Alternate Funding Sources

Summary

Section 4: Clinical Vignette

Meet Jim

Section 5: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributors

Resources

References

Subject Matter Expert: Norma Jo Majerus, M.S., CCC-SLP

Norma Jo Majerus, MS/CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 25 years of experience in various post-acute care settings. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Iowa and her Master of Science degree in special education and communication disorders from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She worked with adult clients with a variety of diagnostic conditions in long-term care, outpatient, and home health settings. In her previous role as a clinical practice specialist for Aegis Therapies, she created training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology related to the clinical rehabilitation needs of the older adult in post-acute care. She provided mentorship and strategies for implementation of clinical programs and initiatives. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed in both Iowa and Nebraska as a speech-language pathologist.

Writer: Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP

Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 40 years of experience. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Jacksonville State University and her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from The University of Alabama. She has provided care to clients across the lifespan with diverse diagnostic conditions in settings including school, hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, and home health settings. In her previous role as a national clinical director for a contract therapy company, she developed training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology focusing on clinical rehabilitation needs of older adults in post-acute care. Currently, she serves as the Lead Subject Matter Expert Writer for Speech-Language Pathology at Relias, where she leverages her clinical expertise and analysis of published research. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

 

 

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Intermediate level Speech Language Pathologists; in the following settings: Rehabilitation Settings.

Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.

Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.