The AAC Learning Center Moodle provides free evidence-based content on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for pre-service teachers and speech-language pathologists. Students will be able to complete activities on-line, and then download a Certificate of Completion as documentation of their activities. Students also will be able to print and complete a guided notes activity that summarizes the key content of the module.
Below please find an outline of the content for Family-Centered Services: 5 Key Principles. Please click on the link above to view the materials at the AAC Learning Center Moodle. You will be asked to register/sign-in at the Moodle site.
Update – April, 2024
– Over 250 students and faculty at more than 15 colleges and universities have completed the module since it was made available in August, 2023
– over 94% of students would recommend the use of this module to others with an interest in this topic
This module describes 5 key principles in providing family-centered services (adapted from Dunst & Espe-Sherwindt, 2016).
- Treat families with dignity and respect
- Share information so families can make informed decisions
- Acknowledge and build on individual and family strengths
- Engage and support active family member participation in AAC Intervention
- Provide supports and resources in response to family concerns and priorities
The impact of these principles is supported by first-person narratives from parents of AAC users, including
Dr. Chioma Oruh, a disabilities rights parent-advocate and a co-founder of Mothering Hands, a nonprofit organization working to provide dynamic and enriching out-of-school opportunities for children and youth with disabilities in the District of Columbia.
Dana Nieder, who describes herself as a “Teacher turned Mom turned AAC parent advocate turned SLP graduate student”. She has presented extensively on the importance of early access to AAC, and forming positive partnerships with families.
The module also contains an Information Sheet on AAC for Family Members in English, Spanish, and Korean. The sheet provides basic information on AAC, and can also be used to support communication between home and school.
We estimate it takes students approximately 45 minutes to complete this module and earn the Certificate of Completion. To view the module, please go to https://aac-learning-center-moodle.psu.edu , register, and log in. You will then be able to select (“Access”) the module on Family-Centered Services: 5 Key Principles.
This module was developed and assessed with 56 Penn State students in June, 2023. Students demonstrated strong increases in knowledge of the targeted skills, and over 98% would recommend or strongly recommend the use of the module to other students. Additional information is available at
Armendariz, K., McNaughton, D., & Ocasio-Stoutenburg, L. (2023, November 16-18). Collaborating with families to support children with AAC needs: A pre-service clinician training module [Poster session]. ASHA 2023 Convention, Boston, MA, United States.
Please reference these materials as
Armendariz, K., McNaughton, D., & Ocasio-Stoutenburg, L. (2023). Family-Centered Services: 5 Key Principles [Instructional Resource]. AAC Learning Center. https://aac-learning-center.psu.edu/family-centered-services-5-key-principles/