Assessment of Learning Process for AAC

AAC AssessmentAAC Selection
Written By Janice Reese


Conducting a comprehensive AAC evaluation can be difficult enough, but then you have those kiddos with complex physical challenges who need an alternative means of access to communicate. It’s really tricky to identify access options that are appropriate, gather enough data to justify the selection, determine where the user is in terms of skill levels, and be sure that you’re able to measure progress once in place. Enter the Assessment  of Learning Process, or the ALP.  Developed by an Occupational Therapist who defined the ‘process of learning’ for powered mobility access, along with two Speech Therapists who have extensive experience in AAC evaluation, the ALP for AAC provides a consistent structure for identifying cognitive and motor abilities along three stages of development as they apply to AAC learning.

I was fortunate to attend a two-day training on administration and use of the ALP last summer and I can attest to the strength of this formula for evaluating alternative means of access within AAC evaluations.

  • It can be used by anyone who supports someone who is learning a new access method in AAC.

  • It provides a framework for understanding progression in AAC access learning.

  • It contains three broad stages of learning, with eight specific phases.

  • The support team looks at five areas of assessment to determine which stage/phase a learner is in.

The ALP for AAC considers five areas of assessment to determine how to support them in progressing to the next phase.
ThisAssessment Chartoutlines the stages and functional skills that allow you to mark a starting point and chart progress.  ThisOverview of ALP Stages provides a definition of the three specific stages, allowing the evaluator to visualize performance abilities from novice to expert levels.  If you need guidance for evaluating your students with significant physical challenges, the ALP for AAC can help.
Once the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and it’s safe to gather again, Tennessee Talks will be hosting ALP for AAC workshop sessions. Stay tuned for details!

Janice Reese

My name is Janice Reese and I LOVE assistive technology! I worked as an Occupational Therapist for more than 15 years, earned a Master’s degree in Education Technology, and I’m RESNA certified as an Assistive Technology Profession (ATP). I have worked in the school system for many years now and I love using technology to enhance the lives of children with disabilities. Since my first love is teaching, I’ve spent just as much time training wonderful teachers everywhere to use these tools in their classrooms. AT4Kids, llc was founded in 2008 in an effort to provide quality instruction and resources for teachers, therapists, student users and parents who wanted to know more about using AT.

I currently serve as Director of the Center for Assistive Technology, a state-supported program of the Little TN Valley Educational Cooperative. LTVEC is a non-profit agency whose goal is to provide rehabilitation services and accessibility supports for students with special needs in east Tennessee. My AT4Kids blog is designed to be as a one-stop resource for ideas and information for those wanting to learn more about the use of AT with children in the special education setting.

I hope to offer helpful hints, program and product reviews, AT recommendations, links to great new finds on the web, and lists of resources for “all things AT”.

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