Presenters
Erna Alant, Ph. D. received her bachelors, masters and PhD in the field of Speech- Language Pathology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She worked in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the Universities of the Witwatersrand as well as the University of Pretoria where she founded the Centre for Augmentat
Erna Alant, Ph. D. received her bachelors, masters and PhD in the field of Speech- Language Pathology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She worked in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the Universities of the Witwatersrand as well as the University of Pretoria where she founded the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) at the University of Pretoria in 1990. After directing the CAAC for 20 years, she accepted a position at Indiana University in Bloomington as the Otting Chair in Special Education in 2009. Thereafter, she became the President of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. During her time at Indiana University, she was instrumental in establishing the AAC-in-Action project, a collaborative venture between Monroe County Community School Corporation, Speech and Hearing Sciences and IU Special Education. The AAC Summit grew from this collaboration. In 2018 she established her own consultancy (www.ErnaAlantConsultancy.com) specializing in professional development for teachers and therapists who work with students who use AAC in schools. In her latest book, Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Engagement and Participation published in 2017, she developed a new theoretical framework for
understanding meaning-making in interpersonal interactions. The monthly blog she writes on her website endeavours to help practitioners in applying principles of engagement to enhance meaning-making in interactions with children who use AAC.
Rachel Butler, MS/CCC,SLP, is a 2001 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Master's of Science of Communication Disorders. She is a dual certified speech language pathologist in both Indiana and Kentucky. Throughout her 22-year career, she has worked in a variety of settings including Kentucky schools, Wendell Foster Center outp
Rachel Butler, MS/CCC,SLP, is a 2001 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Master's of Science of Communication Disorders. She is a dual certified speech language pathologist in both Indiana and Kentucky. Throughout her 22-year career, she has worked in a variety of settings including Kentucky schools, Wendell Foster Center outpatient clinic, First Steps, and Deaconess/HealthSouth rehabilitation hospital. Rachel has a special interest in working with children and adults who use augmentative or alternative communication (AAC). Rachel has been with the EVSC for 8 years and has served on the AAC leadership team for 6 years. She has spoken nationally and locally on Assistive Technology and AAC in the schools at ATIA, PATINS, and is excited to be a returning presenter at AAC Summit. Her diverse expertise in augmentative communication training, cognitive rehabilitation, collaboration with other professionals allows for a holistic approach for the development and implementation of effective communication systems for her students.
Leslie Powell, M.Ed CCC-SLP, ASDCS, graduated from Valdosta State University with a Master’s of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2015. In 2013, She graduated from Brescia University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology. In April 2022, Leslie became an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Speciali
Leslie Powell, M.Ed CCC-SLP, ASDCS, graduated from Valdosta State University with a Master’s of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2015. In 2013, She graduated from Brescia University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology. In April 2022, Leslie became an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist. Leslie has worked as a SLP in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation for 8 years, has been a member of the AAC leadership team for 6 years, and SLP support team for 2 years. Leslie is the treasurer of Evansville Speech Language & Hearing Association.
Landra Wedick has been a special education teacher in the MSD of Wayne Township since 2016. She is currently a Life Skills teacher at Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center, working with students with moderate and severe disabilities. Landra graduated from California State University of Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies an
Landra Wedick has been a special education teacher in the MSD of Wayne Township since 2016. She is currently a Life Skills teacher at Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center, working with students with moderate and severe disabilities. Landra graduated from California State University of Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a credential in Special Education for students with Moderate/Severe disabilities.
Lily Lannon, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist and currently works for the MSD of Wayne Township on the westside of Indianapolis and More Than Words Speech Pathology. She also previously worked at Courter Communications in Carmel. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2015 with her Masters of Arts in Communicative Sc
Lily Lannon, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist and currently works for the MSD of Wayne Township on the westside of Indianapolis and More Than Words Speech Pathology. She also previously worked at Courter Communications in Carmel. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2015 with her Masters of Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Lily has experience working with children and adolescents on language, articulation, and AAC.
Kim Hurley, MA, CCC-SLP, is a Speech Language Pathologist for North Lawrence Community Schools. She has spent her entire 22 year long career specializing in students with high support needs. She has presented at several conferences, including the Indiana AAC Summit, Indiana Speech-Language and Hearing Association annual meeting, and PATIN
Kim Hurley, MA, CCC-SLP, is a Speech Language Pathologist for North Lawrence Community Schools. She has spent her entire 22 year long career specializing in students with high support needs. She has presented at several conferences, including the Indiana AAC Summit, Indiana Speech-Language and Hearing Association annual meeting, and PATINS Access to Education. Kim is a member of ASHA and the Special Interest Group 12 for AAC. She also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Stone Belt ARC, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and supports for individuals with disabilities.
Conner Edwards, M.A. MPA, is currently in his eighth year of teaching life skills special education at Ben Davis High School. Through these last eight years he has seen firsthand where services for people with complex needs drop off at the end of high school. Because of this, he is launching a new adult services nonprofit called Limitless
Conner Edwards, M.A. MPA, is currently in his eighth year of teaching life skills special education at Ben Davis High School. Through these last eight years he has seen firsthand where services for people with complex needs drop off at the end of high school. Because of this, he is launching a new adult services nonprofit called Limitless Ability where continued skills in Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy are developed throughout his clients' entire lifespan.