Kimberly Ho is an AAC Consultant and speech language pathologist in Massachusetts with 20 years of experience
PhD, Speech Language Pathologist, AAC Consultant, Autism Consultant
About Dr. Ho
Dr. Kimberly Ho is a speech language pathologist who specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She has provided services to individuals with complex communication needs across the age range for the last 20 years. She's worked with individuals in their homes and workplace as well in as in school settings. Additionally, she provides in-service trainings, AAC assessments and weekly/monthly consulting. She has experience with a wide range of Speech Generating Devices (SGD) including systems using Minspeak.
Services
During AAC assessments, Dr. Ho follows a three phase model:
- Phase I: Formation of team including student, family, school/vocational staff
- Phase II: Initial Assessment report
- Phase III: Device Trial/s and Addendum report
Dr. Ho provides ongoing consulting for teams supporting students using AAC
Dr. Ho also provides consulting for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who require AAC and behavioral supports due to challenging behaviors. She helps create visuals to decrease individuals’ anxiety and increase independence across home, school and vocational settings. Additionally, she trains school or vocational staff and parents in use of visual supports including social narratives and visual schedules, first/then boards and token boards.
Adult with Intellectual Disability using Unity
Adult with Cerebral Palsy using Unity
Teen with Autism using LAMP:Words for Life
Teen using Pixon Symbols on Eye Gaze Board
Adult with Cerebral Palsy using Proloquo2Go
Child with Cerebral Palsy using Unity
Teen with Autism using TouchChat Word Power
Organizations Dr. Ho has Served
- Confidence Connection
- Greater Lafayette Area Special Services
- Medford Public Schools
- Nashoba Learning Group
- Plainville Public Schools
- Wayland Public Schools
- Weston Public Schools
Adult with Cerebral Palsy using Essence
Testimonials
From the outset, Dr. Ho was unwavering in her determination to understand my son and find what motivates him.
She has expertly and carefully developed an approach that stretches his skills with high expectations for communication while simultaneously showing great patience and empathy for the times when he is most frustrated. I have been surprised time and again by the words he has used and the concepts he has communicated while working with Dr. Ho. She makes the work seem like play and she keeps his attention with a variety of strategies, ranging from music to visual aids to sensory input. She has given our family great hope!
– Katie Leonard, mother of son with autism
We have been delighted with Kim Ho as Hannah’s speech therapist and highly recommend her to others looking for someone to guide them in their use of AAC.
My daughter, Hannah, currently uses a speech generating device called an “Accent” made by the Prentke Romich Company (PRC) to help her communicate. Kim Ho was recommended to us ten years ago by PRC as a speech and language pathologist with extensive AAC training Hannah needed. WithKim’s guidance, Hannah’s vocabulary and even language concepts have expanded as she has becomemore familiar with the device and the Unity language it uses. Kim’s work with Hannah as a person withntellectual disabilities and vision impairments who is also an effective user of AAC has been highlighted in national and international conferences and forums. In addition to her technical expertise, Kim brings humanity and creativity to her work with Hannah. She is always observant and responsive to Hannah as a whole person, using Hannah’s strengths and interests in creative ways to move Hannah gently to the next communicative goal. We have been delighted with Kim Ho as Hannah’s speech therapist and highly recommend her to others looking for someone to guide them in their use of AAC.
- Claire Rosenbaum, parent of adult child with developmental disabilities
She treats in a nurturing and fun way, and provides resources that literally get my family through the day
Kimberly Ho goes above and beyond to help my stepdaughter, who has conflicting symptoms and co-morbidity of disorders, learn language and become more functional. She treats in a nurturing and fun way, and provides resources that literally get my family through the day. I would highly recommend her services.
– Sarah Quick, stepmother of child with autism
Dr. Kim Ho was a tremendous asset to my preschool student’s IEP team and it was a pleasure working with her.
She worked collaboratively with our school team and the child’s family to train us on the implementation of AAC in the classroom and home settings. My student looked forward to her sessions with Kim and benefitted greatly from Kim’s endless knowledge, enthusiasm, and compassion. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Kim again and I feel that any IEP team would be fortunate to have her on board.
- Nellie O’Malley, educator from Weston Public Schools
Kim comes to meetings prepared and provides our school staff with useful knowledge, helpful resources, and lots of enthusiasm
Kim currently comes to our school to consult with classroom staff and me regarding how to use and implement an AAC device in the school environment. During our consultation interactions, she has been personable and professional. Kim comes to meetings prepared and provides our school staff with useful knowledge, helpful resources, and lots of enthusiasm. She is available to answer questions or provide advice, and demonstrates a passion for her field of expertise. Kim has worked hard to help foster a strong connection between home and school for students. She also provided our speech department with an informative in-service on AAC assessments.
- Speech-Language Pathologist with Medford Public Schools
This would not have been possible without Kim’s dedication to her work and the families she supports
I have had the pleasure of working with Kim Ho in an in home setting with a 17 year old girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder for over a year now. Kim’s constant perseverance is inspiring. Her collaboration with the school, home, and other professionals working on the case has led to the growth and success of this child. Over the past several months I have watched this student grow and increase her verbal behavior to engage in conversation, answer questions, request appropriately, and repair communication breakdowns. This would not have been possible without Kim’s dedication to her work and the families she supports. With Kim’s aid I have been able to learn new things as a behavior analyst to apply in the home to facilitate this student’s language gains as well as take this knowledge to other families in need. It has been an honor to learn from and work with Kim Ho on this case and I hope to work with her on future cases to improve the lives of the community we serve.
- Francesca Persson, MS, BCBA
Blog
If you're interested in seeing my latest updates and thoughts, check out my blog below!
Professional Details
Recent Trainings
Medford Public Schools: AAC Assessment
Spring 2015, Medford, MA.
The May Institute: Teaching Minspeak and LAMP: Words for Life
Winter 2013, Randolph, MA.
Weston Public Schools: Overview of Minspeak and LAMP and Teaching Pragmatics
Winter 2013, Weston, MA.
Weston Public Schools: How to Teach Minspeak and Pragmatic Skills
Fall 2013, Weston, MA.
Weston Public Schools: Introduction to Core Vocabulary, Minspeak and LAMP
Summer 2013, Weston, MA.
The May Institute: Introduction to Core Vocabulary, Minspeak and LAMP
Spring 2013, Randolph, MA.
Newton Public Schools: Core Vocabulary and LAMP for children with Autism
Spring 2013, Newton, MA.
Wayland Creative Preschool; American Sign Language
Spring 2005-2009, Wayland, MA.
University Affiliations
- Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University, Teaching AAC and Autism
- Taught AAC at University of Rhode Island
- Taught AAC at Northeastern University and Purdue University
- Received Doctorate from Purdue University in 2000
Conference Presentations
How to Teach Grammar to People Who Use AAC
Ho, K. & Witkowski, D. (2015, January).
Paper presented at the meeting of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA).
Orlando, FL.
A Child with Autism Who Taught herself Minspeak: A Case Study
Ho, K. & Halloran, C. (2014, January).
Poster presented at the meeting of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA).
Orlando, FL.
How to Peddle Core Vocabulary and Minspeak
Ho, K. (2013, June).
Televised presentation made for the Pittsburgh AAC Language Seminar Series.
Pittsburgh, PA.
Minspeak for an Adult with Severe Intellectual Disability and Low Vision: A Case Study
Ho, K. & Rosenbaum, C. (2012< August).
Paper presented at biannual meeting of the International Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Pittsburgh, PA.
Come Talk to Me
Ho, K., Rosenbaum, C, & Rosenbaum, H (2011, November).
ATAP Assistive Technology Conference Techaccess of RI.
The Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as a Tool for Individuals After Traumatic Brain Injury -- A Well Kept Secret
Ho, K. (2001, October).
Televised presentation made for PSI IOTA SI Sorority Interactive Television Series Lecture.
West Lafayette, IN.
Paired-Associate Instruction Versus Modeling for Teaching Symbols to AAC users
Ho, K., & Lloyd, L. (2000, November).
Poster presented at the meeting of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference.
Washington, D. C.
Examining the effectiveness of two teaching strategies on the learning of graphic symbols for AAC users – Generalization Issues
Ho, K. (2000, February).
Paper presented at the Teleconference with University of Pretoria, South Africa.
West Lafayette, IN.
The effect of remnant and pictographic communication books on the interaction of persons with severe aphasia
Weiss, S., Ho, K., Garrett, K., & Lloyd, L. (1999, November).
Paper presented at the Teleconference with University of Pretoria, South Africa.
West Lafayette, IN.
Transition Traumas: One Team’s Perspective
Ho, K., Pufpaff, L. (1999, October).
Symposium conducted at the meeting of the United States Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Orlando, FL.
Transition Traumas: One Team’s Perspective
Ho, K., Pufpaff, L. (1999, October).
Invited presentation at the meeting of the 7th Biennial Regional Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
West Lafayette, IN.
Effect of Remnant and Pictographic Communication Books on the Communication Behavior of Adults with Severe Aphasia
Ho, K. (1999, May).
Paper presented at the Teleconference with University of Pretoria, South Africa.
West Lafayette, IN.
AAC Strategies for Patients in the Acute Rehabilitation Setting
Weiss, S., Ho, K. (1997, November).
Poster presented at the meeting of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference.
Boston, MA
Effects of Enhanced Orthography on the Acquisition of Sight Words
Pufpaff, L., Blischak, D., Ho, K., & Lloyd, L. (1997, November).
Symposium conducted at the meeting of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference.
Boston, MA.
Effects of Enhanced Orthography on the Acquisition of Sight Words
Pufpaff, L., Blischak, D., Ho, K., & Lloyd, L. (1997, April).
Poster presented at the meeting of the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Indianapolis, IN.
Language intervention in Landau-Kleffner Syndrome: A case study of a child with partially restored verbal language
Ertmer, D., & Ho, K. (1996, November).
Publications
School-based augmentative and alternative communication evaluation reports
Blischak, D. M., & Ho, K. M. (2000).
Contemporary Issues in Communication Science and Disorders, 27, 70-81.
AACtual Therapy: Supporting the Development of Early Grammar with Kimberly Ho
Ho, K. M. (2014, April 3).
Retrieved from http://praacticalaac.org/praactical/aactual-therapy-supporting-the-development-of-early-grammar-with-kimberly-ho/
Dealing with denial: a system’s approach for family professionals working with parents of individuals with multiple disabilities
Ho, K. M., & Keiley, M. K. (2003).
The Family Journal, 11, 239-247.
The effect of remnant and pictographic communication books on the communicative interaction of individuals with global aphasia
Ho, K. M., Weiss, S., Garrett, K., & Lloyd, L. (2005).
Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 21, 218-232.
Invited Presentations -- Higher Education
AAC and Autism
CD 684 “Augmentative and Alternative Communication.”
Emerson College, Boston, MA
Intervention issues around core vocabulary, pragmatics and syntax in AAC
The Speech and Language Network.
Waltham, MA.
AAC Assessment for an Individual with Severe Intellectual Disability and Visual Impairment
CMD 580 “Augmentative and Alternative Communication.”
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island.
AAC Assessment and Intervention for Individuals with Aphasia
AUS 531 “Adult Language Disorders.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
AUS 115 “Introduction to Communication Disorders."
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
AAC for Early Stages of Recovery
AUS 536 “Traumatic Brain Injury."
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
AAC for Middle and Late Stages of Recovery
AUS 536 “Traumatic Brain Injury."
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Seating and Positioning
EDPS 363 “Psychoeducational, Medical, and Physical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
AAC Assessment and Intervention for Individuals with Aphasia or TBI
AUS 531 “Adult Language Disorders.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Seating and Positioning
EDPS 363 “Psychoeducational, Medical, and Physical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
AAC Assessment and Intervention for Patients with Aphasia
AUS 531 “Adult Language Disorders.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
AAC Assessment and Intervention for Patients with TBI
AUS 531 “Adult Language Disorders.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Seating and Positioning
EDPS 363 “Psychoeducational, Medical, and Physical Aspects of Individuals with Disabilities.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
AAC Assessment and Intervention for Patients with TBI
Spring 2001.
AUS 531 “Adult Language Disorders."
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
AAC Assessment and Intervention for Patients with Aphasia
Spring 2000.
AUS 531 “Adult Language Disorders."
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Motor Issues and Cerebral Palsy
Spring 2000.
AUS 536 “Motor Disorders of Speech."
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Literacy Intervention for AAC
Fall 1998.
AUS 540 “Augmentative and Alternative Communication.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Manual Sign Language
Fall 1998.
EDPS 261 “Early Field Experiences in Special Education.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Motor Assessment for AAC Users
Spring 1998.
AUS 514I “Assessment Issues in Augmentative and Alternative Communication.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Sensory Assessment for AAC Users
Spring 1998.
AUS 514I “Assessment Issues in Augmentative and Alternative Communication.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Introduction to Cerebral Palsy
Fall 1997.
AUS 115 “Introduction to Communication Disorders.”
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Contact
If you're interested in working with me, or have any questions, please contact me at kim@kimberlyho.net, or fill out the form below. I'd be happy to help you.