AAC Consultant
The Ottawa Area Center is a center-based program serving students ages 3–26 with significant special needs across Ottawa County. We are seeking a collaborative and dynamic AAC Consultant to join our team. This role focuses on coaching and consultation to enhance language, literacy, and communication support across academic and social settings. This position requires team collaboration with other support staff and teachers, supporting building-wide literacy and communication initiatives (Alt+Shift), and providing assistive technology resources. The qualified individual will work with students with a wide range of needs, including students with challenging behaviors and complex medical needs.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Coaching and Implementation Support
Partner with educators through side-by-side coaching and hands-on support to strengthen daily practices that support student communication and engagement.
Co-create coaching plans with teams that include goal setting, modeling, observation, data review, and reflective feedback.
Embed communication strategies—including AAC—within academic and social routines to promote authentic student participation.
Support teams in implementing responsive instruction informed by student interests and needs.
Collaboration and Consultation
Provide coaching and consultation services to center based staff on communication support within MTSS frameworks, focusing on intervention intensification and generalization.
Implement a multi-tiered support system, empowering school staff to effectively integrate AAC strategies and enhance communication for students with diverse needs.
Support student-centered IEP processes, including communication goal development and participation in LRE decision-making.
Facilitate a systematic, well-documented SETT process for students requiring assistive technology to enhance communication and increase independence in accessing the curriculum.
Collaborate with families and community partners to promote shared understanding of communication supports and tools.
Collaborate regularly with the multidisciplinary team at OAC (OTs, PTs, TCVI, DHH) to improve accessibility for students with complex physical needs.
Attend School Leadership Team meetings as needed.
Lead the Communication Committee; applying partnership principles to drive continuous improvement and ensure alignment with group-set goals that focus on best practices for AAC, communication, and literacy.
Partner with OAC’s Teacher Consultant to implement Comprehensive Literacy Instruction for diverse student populations.
Coordinate response to coaching requests, referrals, and identified needs in collaboration with internal building teams.
Professional Learning and Leadership
Provide professional development and coaching to all school staff on best practices for communication, AAC, and emergent literacy.
Offer sustained follow-up support and coaching to promote integration of new practices.
Support school teams in analyzing communication, behavior, and engagement data to guide instruction and support decision-making.
Stay current with emerging communication technologies, tools, and instructional frameworks; share resources with teams and maintain access to training supports.
Active member of the Ottawa Area AT Leadership Team (county-wide) and OAC’s AT Leadership Team, contributing to county-wide initiatives and advancements in assistive technology.
Manage and maintain the Assistive Technology Lending Library, including inventory oversight and promoting effective utilization of available AAC equipment.
Systems Alignment and Compliance
Support the development of district and building systems to ensure communication needs are prioritized and integrated into planning, implementation, and service delivery.
Attend relevant county, regional, and state meetings (e.g., Coaching Collaborative) as assigned.
Ensure alignment with IDEA, MARSE, OAISD policies, and building-wide MTSS processes in all aspects of communication support and service delivery.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Master’s Degree Required. Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and current Michigan licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist preferred.
Minimum of three years’ experience supporting students with significant communication support needs, including AAC and autism.
Demonstrated experience in coaching in the education settings.
Deep knowledge of functional communication strategies and neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based practices.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to build trusting relationships and provide actionable feedback.
Understanding of special education law along with inclusive education best practices.
Experience working with low-incident populations preferred.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. This role may also include other duties as directed by the supervisor.
