Foundational Courses
Getting Started with AAC: Building Communication Foundations
This introductory course helps teams confidently begin their AAC journey. Participants learn how to select appropriate systems, model language across environments, and build communication-rich routines grounded in presuming competence. We unpack common myths, align roles for families and staff, and practice low-effort, high-impact strategies you can use tomorrow. Real case examples illustrate how to make AAC natural—not an add-on—so learners experience success, connection, and agency from day one.
Implementing AAC in Medical and Educational Settings
AAC thrives when everyone works together. Offered in two versions—Medical Model (hospital/rehab) and Educational Model (schools)—this session provides concrete steps for embedding AAC into therapy, instruction, and daily care. Learn to write clear team plans, track progress, and create consistent opportunities for communication without overwhelming families or staff. You’ll leave with plug-and-play routines, quick coaching scripts, and tools that travel with the learner across settings.
Advanced Practice
Alternative Access to AAC: Unlocking Communication for All Bodies
Touch isn’t the only way to communicate. This hands-on course explores switch access, eye gaze, head tracking, scanning, and partner-assisted strategies for individuals with complex motor needs. We’ll match access methods to strengths, consider positioning and mounting, and troubleshoot accuracy and fatigue. Through practical labs and decision-making frameworks, participants learn to design access pathways that prioritize precision, comfort, and independence—so the system fits the body, not the other way around.
AAC and Vision: Designing for Visual Access and Understanding
For communicators with cortical or ocular visual differences, visual design determines success. This session shows how color contrast, spacing, symbol choice, and layout can be adapted for learners with CVI or ocular motor challenges. Participants practice simplifying visual complexity, adjusting dwell and pacing, and aligning environments to support recognition and navigation. Walk away with checklists and templates that make visual accessibility integral—not optional—to every AAC plan.
Language, Literacy, and Authorship
Literacy and AAC: Teaching Reading and Writing Through Communication
Communication and literacy are inseparable. This course bridges evidence-based literacy instruction with AAC practice to teach reading and writing to students with complex communication needs. Learn to integrate shared reading, phonological awareness, and writing instruction within AAC use—moving beyond word-level modeling to full written expression. Real student work samples illustrate how to scaffold idea generation, sentence construction, and revision so learners become genuine authors of their own ideas.
Innovation and the Future
AI and AAC: The Future of Communication
Artificial intelligence is redefining what’s possible in AAC. This forward-looking session explores embedded AI features—predictive text, language expansion, personalized prompts, and co-authoring—to scaffold autonomy and creativity while preserving the user’s voice. We address ethical use, data considerations, and practical workflows for schools and clinics. Participants leave with sample prompts, coaching language, and guardrails for leveraging AI to amplify—not replace—authentic expression.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Custom AAC Training for Your Team
Every organization’s AAC journey is unique. In this customizable session, Brenda collaborates with your team to design professional learning that meets your goals—combining modules, focusing on specific populations (early childhood, complex access, CVI), or tailoring for clinical or school settings. Options range from 60-minute overviews to multi-session series with coaching and artifacts. Together, we build a plan that turns insight into action—designed just for you.