Ep. 8: Pat Mervine, MA, CCC-SLP "Increasing Communication Opportunities for Students with Complex Needs"

Summary: In this episode, Char sits down with Pat Mervine, MA, CCC-SLP and asks her to share some knowledge and expertise on creating a positive atmosphere to enrich communication for students with complex communication needs. She explains how to engineer the environment by raising expectations with your attitude, actions, and teaching strategies so students of all ages have ample opportunities to communicate throughout the day with a variety of communication partners, using speech or their AAC system. She explicitly details the importance and process of using the Prompt Hierarchy, The Expectant Pause, and Scripting to provide and personalize communication needs.