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Description
ASHA CEUs: 0.1 per course
10/14/2025: Planting the Seeds of AAC: Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture- Part 1: Planting the Seeds of AAC: Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture- Part 1. In session one, we’ll focus on “planting the seeds” of an AAC-affirming culture by clarifying purpose, pulling the weeds of myths and disbelief, and exploring how schools that prioritize accessibility, training, and implementation create inclusive environments where all students thrive.
Course completion requirements due by 10/17/25
Learning Objectives
As a result of participating in this class participants will:
- Develop a shared understanding of key beliefs that define an AAC-affirming school culture.
- Apply school-wide strategies to embed AAC into daily routines and instruction across environments.
- Identify methods to engage peers, empower staff, and sustain inclusive communication practices over time.
Agenda
11:00-11:05 Introductions
11:05-11:10 Course objectives and arc
11:10-11:20 Understanding the challenges
11:20-11:30 Establishing key beliefs of an AAC-affirming school culture
11:30-11:45 Putting ideas into practice11:45-12:00 Discuss personal challenges and opportunities
Description
ASHA CEUs: 0.1 per course
12/09/2025: Planting the Seeds of AAC: Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture- Part 2: Cultivating the environment: School-wide implementation strategies. In session two, we’ll explore how to “cultivate the environment” for AAC through leadership and administrative support—the sunlight and water for growth—while examining how funding, training, and tangible staff professional development nurture a sustainable, communication-rich school culture.
Course completion requirements due by 12/12/25
Learning Objectives
As a result of participating in this class participants will:
- Identify two key components of a communication-rich school environment and analyze how leadership and administrative support influence successful, sustainable AAC implementation.
- Identify two funding sources or free or low-cost resources that can be used to support students’ communication needs.
- Describe three strategies for structuring professional development that promote shared ownership and long-term growth of AAC practices across the school community.
Agenda
11:00-11:05 Introductions
11:05-11:10 Session objectives and arc
11:10-11:20 Key components of a communication-rich environment
11:20-11:30 Leadership and administrative support
11:30-11:40 Staff training and professional development
11:40-11:50 Putting ideas into practice11:50-12:00 Discuss personal challenges and opportunities
Description
ASHA CEUs: 0.1 per course
2/10/2026: Planting the Seeds of AAC: Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture- Part 3: Planting AAC in every classroom: Practical integration strategies. In part three, we’ll focus on “planting AAC in every classroom” by exploring practical ways to embed AAC into physical spaces, curriculum, and daily routines so communication becomes a natural, thriving part of the learning environment.
Course completion requirements due by 2/13/26
Learning Objectives
As a result of participating in this class participants will:
- Describe three areas within the school environment where AAC can be embedded to promote authentic communication opportunities for all students.
- Identify two strategies for ensuring staff have easy access to AAC tools and visuals, making communication supports readily available and visible throughout daily classroom activities.
- Explain two ways teachers can integrate AAC into instruction and support students who use AAC within the classroom setting.
Agenda
11:00-11:05 Introductions
11:05-11:10 Session objectives and arc
11:10-11:20 Creating a communication-rich environment
11:20-11:30 Embedding AAC in curriculum and daily routines
11:30-11:45 Resources and putting ideas into practice11:45-12:00 Discuss personal challenges and opportunities
Description
ASHA CEUs: 0.1 per course
4/14/2026: Planting the Seeds of AAC: Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture- Part 4: Growing stronger together: Peer involvement and sustaining AAC culture change. In part four, “Growing Stronger Together,” we’ll explore practical ways to involve peers in AAC, breaking down communication barriers and fostering genuine inclusion, friendships, and a sustainable culture of communication.
Course completion requirements due by 4/17/26
Learning Objectives
As a result of participating in this class participants will:
- Describe the role of peer involvement in fostering authentic communication, inclusion, and belonging for students who use AAC.
- Identify three practical strategies to teach and model AAC use with peers, promoting shared understanding, empathy, and communication-rich interactions across school settings.
- Develop an action plan to sustain a school-wide culture of communication, integrating AAC peer partnership practices into long-term systems, traditions, and community-building efforts.
Agenda
11:00-11:05 Introductions
11:05-11:10 Session objectives and arc
11:10-11:20 The role of peer involvement
11:20-11:30 Teaching peers about AAC
11:30-11:40 Buddy systems and peer support networks
11:40-11:50 Developing action plans11:50-12:00 Discuss personal challenges and opportunities
Description
ASHA CEUs: 0.1 per course
5/12/2026: Planting the Seeds of AAC: Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture- Part 5: Tending the Garden: Coaching Support for Implementation. In session five, “Tending the Garden,” we’ll highlight how AAC implementation thrives through ongoing coaching, reinforcement, celebration, and commitment, with practical strategies to sustain long-term success.
Course completion requirements due by 5/15/26
Learning Objectives
As a result of participating in this class participants will:
- Describe two key components of effective AAC coaching that promote consistent implementation, staff confidence, and shared responsibility across school teams.
- Identify three strategies for providing ongoing support, feedback, and celebration to reinforce AAC use and maintain momentum over time.
- Develop a plan to sustain long-term AAC success by integrating coaching cycles, reflection, and collaborative problem-solving into school systems and practices.
Agenda
11:00-11:05 Introductions
11:05-11:10 Session objectives and arc
11:10-11:20 Effective AAC coaching
11:20-11:35 Maintaining momentum over time
11:35-11:50 Developing an action plan11:50-12:00 Questions and reflection
Course Completion Requirements
Completion requires learners to (1) view/attend the instructional presentation in full; (2) complete informal learning assessment/reflection; and (3) submit a course evaluation.
The above items must be submitted no later than three days after each course.
Fall Series
10/14/2025: Planting the seeds and preparing the soil: Key beliefs of an AAC affirming school
12/9/2025: Cultivating the environment: School-wide implementation strategies
Winter-Spring Series
2/10/2026: Planting AAC in every classroom: Practical integration strategies
4/14/2026: Growing stronger together: Peer involvement and sustaining AAC culture change
5/12/2026: Tending the Garden: Coaching Support for Implementation
Audience
SLPs in K-12 schools working with students who use AAC.
SLP, OT, PT, COTA, Paraeducator, Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Parents, TVI
No prerequisite learning or materials needed.
Presenters
Instructor Disclosure: Sara Ayars is employed by and receives compensation from the Special Education Technology Center; she has no relevant non-financial disclosures.
Policies
For all of our policies including accommodations, refunds and complaints, please refer to the SETC Website Help Page.
Contact
Email Sue Wright at the SETC office
Zoom Link
Clock hours for this webinar and others in this series are available from ESD105 for a small fee. The following Professional Development Enroller link provides more information about clock hours: https://www.pdenroller.org/cwu/catalog/event/190046 Planting the Seeds of AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication): Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture, Equity