ABSTRACT
Instructional goals, under this team structure, are set and worked on by each discipline. Effective augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment and instruction occur when all stakeholders (e.g., family, related service providers, special education teacher, student) are well trained, informed, and have shared goals. The main difference is that, in an interdisciplinary team, team members share information with other members in an attempt to unify their plans and outcomes. Other team members will need to provide families with the knowledge and skills needed to actively and effectively participate as team members and offer the family the opportunity to participate in any professional development activities provided to the school staff. The school system, at times, may exhibit challenges that are difficult to overcome. Evidence exists that the most common challenges faced by teams are lack of communication, lack of time to meet, and lack of training.
