Welcome!

Welcome to the Mentor Leadership Training Course, part of the AAC Mentor Project at Penn State!

We are pleased that you are interested in learning the skills to be a mentor. We invite you to learn how you can help adolescents and young adults who use AAC overcome challenges and meet their goals at home, at school, at work, and in the community!

"I want to know if I should go to college? If I like computers so much, what should I study? My school-planning meeting is coming up for next year. Can you help me?" [E-mail message from an adolescent who uses AAC to his mentor]

"Yes, I think you should go to college, but you have to decide that for yourself. Only you can decide that. People around you can encourage you to go, but the final decision is up to you. I can tell you that if you go and get your degree, you will get far in life. Doors will open with job opportunities, plus you will feel better about yourself knowing that you have accomplished something. If you like computers and if it’s something that you know you can do, then that is the way to go. Make sure in your IEP, they put that you have computers. If there is a computer class, ask to be in that class. Just make sure that it is what you want. Think of all the advantages and disadvantages. Let me know what you think and we can develop some plans together." [E-mail message from the mentor in response]

"I’m at risk of losing some of my attendant hours. I was supposed to have a meeting about this, but it was called off because we didn’t have enough information." [E-mail message from a young adult who uses AAC to her mentor]

"Sounds as if you have a problem. What ideas do you have to solve this problem? When I found myself in the same situation, I tried to make sure I was ready. At the meeting, I said that I needed the hours and I had an itemized list to the minute of what I used my hours for. That showed them that I needed those hours. I put every little thing on the list, like brushing my teeth, dressing, preparing food, driving, setting up at the computer, and so on. This showed them that I knew what I was talking about. What do you think you could do to make sure you don't lose some of your attendant hours? Let me know your ideas." [E-mail message from the mentor in response]

As you can see, these adolescents and young adults are looking to their mentors for encouragement and assistance as they set goals and try to overcome challenges.

These interactions are examples of those that took place as part of the AAC Mentor Project.

We are pleased that you are interested in learning more about being a mentor. We hope that you will use your knowledge and experience to help adolescents and young adults who use AAC and others who would benefit from mentoring.

  What skills will I need to be a good mentor?

To be a good mentor, you will need:

• Effective communication skills
• Problem-solving and goal-setting skills
• Knowledge of how to find disability resources

  How will I develop these skills?

You will have the opportunity to develop these skills by completing a self-study course through this web site (we call this self-study course the AAC Mentor Leadership Training Course).

  What is the Mentor Leadership Training Course?

This web site contains the Mentor Leadership Training Course. It is a self-study course. You can work on it by yourself at your own pace, whenever it is a good time for you.

The Mentor Leadership Training Course has lessons on four topics:

• Communicating with your partner (the adolescent or young adult whom you are mentoring);
• Helping your partner learn to set goals and to solve problems;
• Helping your partner learn to find useful information on disability resources; and
• Putting all these skills together to be a good mentor.

In each of the lessons, you will have the chance to learn new skills or to improve the skills you already have. You will have the chance to practice your skills by acting as a mentor in role-play situations.

  How long will it take me to learn these skills and complete the Mentor Leadership Training Course?

We estimate that it will take a total of 15-20 hours to complete the Mentor Leadership Training Course. You can work on the course 1-2 hours a day over a number of days.

• If you already have some experience as a mentor and you have already learned many of these skills, then it may take you less time.
• If you have not yet had the opportunity to be a mentor and you are learning new skills, it may take you a bit longer.

You can progress at your own speed. You can work on the Mentor Leadership Training Course whenever it is good for you over the next few weeks. You should plan to complete the course within the next 6-8 weeks.

  How do I start the Mentor Leadership Training Course?

You can start the Mentor Leadership Training Course right now or you can start at a later date if it is more convenient for you.

This research is supported by Grant #H133G8004 from The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and no official endorsement should be inferred.