November 6-7, 2015 Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South                             1-day and half-day registration available. Sign up now!

   

Eye-Gaze and Brain Computer Interface AAC: Therapeutic Strategies & Treatment Efficacy

Friday & Saturday, November 6-7, 2015

Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South, Pittsburgh, PA

 

1.0 IACET Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) offered (accepted by ASHA, NBCOT & RESNA) 

Participating Manufacturers: FRS Solutions, LC Technologies, Inc., Prentke Romich Company, Tobii dynavox

This conference will present evidence-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) therapeutic interventions for using eye-gaze or brain computer interface (BCI) as access methods. 

 

Day One morning will offer a review of preferred practices for meeting the training, treatment and progress monitoring needs of individuals who have been recommended eye-gaze or BCI access methods for AAC, including the needed supports for family members and caregivers who must be trained as system operators and/or communication partners. Evidence-based treatment protocols for individualizing eye-gaze and BCI access according to specific medical diagnoses also will be reviewed and illustrated. Steps and tips to determine the effectiveness of treatment will be presented.

 

Featured Luncheon Speaker: Margo Broehl, Esq., AAC Institute Board of Trustees member and chief legal counsel for PRC will discuss efforts to continue to improve SGD funding and reimbursement for services after the recent decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to remove the capped rental, eye-gaze and locked system policies. Why we still need to “Ask Me Why I’m Not Talking”.

 

The afternoon program will give participants the opportunity to rotate among four concurrent “eyes-on” sessions conducted by major manufacturers offering eye-gaze as an access method to a speech-generating device (SGD) or other computer. Representatives will demonstrate training, intervention strategies and teaching techniques specific to their product line. Attendees will experience and explore the eye-gaze systems in an intimate, user-friendly environment. Day One will conclude with a panel discussion with the manufacturers’ representatives answering audience questions; with the option to schedule a 1:1 meeting with a representative to finish the day or join in a networking reception.

Day Two offers a choice among four seminars: 1) a demonstration and overview of BCI access and the most current available BCI products and clinical services; 2) an overview of data logging and language activity monitoring (LAM) and the launch of the upgraded AAC Performance Report Tool (PeRT); 3) an update on eye-gaze issues for children who use eye-gaze access. Product and training materials from a variety of companies will be available in the seminar rooms. Attendees will leave the conference fully informed and able to identify evidence-based interventions for treating clients who need eye-gaze or BCI access for AAC.

 

Learner Outcomes

1. Identify and describe three (3) barriers that must be controlled to improve an individual’s learning trajectory for using eye-gaze or BCI as an alternative access method for AAC.

2. Identify and describe three (3) procedures that will support training and treatment for an individual recommended an eye-gaze or BCI as an access method. 

3. Identify three (3) performance measures to track the effectiveness of your treatment in building the operational, linguistic, social and strategic competence of individuals using eye gaze or BCI as an access method.

4. Identify two (2) features/resources that influence treatment effectiveness for two (2) different eye gaze technologies/manufacturers.

5. List three (3) factors to consider when training an individual and system operator on a BCI system.

 

Who Should Attend: Speech-language pathologists, assistive technology specialists, occupational therapists, neurologists, health care providers, health insurance providers, special education instructors, skilled nursing facility staff, home health aides, paraprofessionals and individuals with disabilities and/or their families who are exploring eye-gaze access for AAC.

 

Session Descriptions

• Meeting client and family training, treatment and monitoring needs for eye-gaze and BCI AAC (Friday, Nov 6)

  Katya Hill, PhD, CCC-SLP, Executive Director of the AAC Institute will present issues that must be controlled by the clinical team to improve the effectiveness of an individual’s ability to use eye-gaze and/or BCI as an access method and identify common barriers that limit treatment effectiveness.

• Evidence-based training strategies and measuring treatment effectiveness (Friday, Nov 6)

  Michael O’Leary, speech-language pathologist at ICAN™ Talk Clinic, will discuss evidence-based intervention strategies and techniques to support the training and short- and long-term treatment needed for individuals who rely on eye-gaze or BCI as an access method. Case study examples will be used to demonstrate how treatment effectiveness was measured.

• Concurrent sessions with eye-gaze AAC manufacturers (4 sessions – Friday, Nov 6)
  Learn therapeutic techniques directly from representatives of major AAC manufacturers who offer eye-gaze access AAC devices. Representatives will identify, describe and demonstrate features available on their speech generating devices or computers that support eye-gaze access training and build skills using eye-gaze as an access method. Hands-on training/practice with equipment. Available company resources and technical support will also be discussed. 

• Eye gaze and BCIs for patients who are locked-in (Saturday, Nov 7)

  Dr. Jane Huggins, a leading researcher of BCI at the University of Michigan, and Michael O’Leary will discuss the current BCI research base and status of BCI products. A BCI system will be demonstrated with a volunteer. Procedures and factors to consider to support training, treatment and monitoring changes will be discussed. 

• Data Logging Consortium meeting (Saturday, Nov 7)

  Dr. Eric Nyberg, creator of Watson and Dr. Katya Hill have organized a Data Logging Consortium to standardize a logging format and analysis process that integrates the principles of language activity monitoring (LAM). The newest version of PeRT, a log file analysis tool will be demonstrated. Join the discussion and consortium of manufacturers, researchers, linguistics and clinicians.

• Eye-gaze intervention for children (Saturday, Nov 7) 

  Evelyn Meinert will discuss treatment procedures for building operational, linguistic, social and strategic competence for children using eye gaze. Individualizing treatment protocols for children with cerebral palsy, Rhett’s syndrome, and other severe physical disabilities will be presented.

Conference Registration Fees:

 

1.5 Day Program includes all conference sessions, materials, breakfasts, Friday luncheon and breaks:

_______ $175.00 Professionals (per person) 

_______$125.00 Individuals with disabilities, their parents/caregivers (2 persons)

_______ $ 75.00 Students with valid ID (limited seats available)

 

One Day Attendance Option (Friday, Nov 6):

______ $125 Professionals (per person)

______ $ 75 Individuals with disabilities and caregivers (for 2 persons)

______ $ 50 Students with valid ID (limited seats available)

 

Half-Day Attendance Option (Saturday, Nov 7 ONLY)

______ $50 All attendees (per person)

______ $40 Students with valid ID and individuals with disabilities (per person)

 

Hotel accommodations: For reservations at the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South at a discounted event rate, please phone Colleen Rodgers at 412-347-0351 or email: xxxxxx@cppghsouth.com

 

Questions? Please contact Evelyn Meinert at xxxxxx@aacinstitute.org

 

View presenter bios, detailed conference program and register online at www.aacinstitute.org