Planting the Seeds of AAC: Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture

Course Instructors

Sara Ayers, M.A S, CCC-SLP

Audience

This course is designed for SLPs, OTs, PTs, teachers, principals, special education directors, instructional and curriculum specialists, coaches, district administrators, and other professionals working to build communication-rich, AAC-affirming schools. No prerequisite learning or materials are required.

Access Dates

Course available for ASHA CEUs starting on November 1, 2026 and ending on October 31, 2028.

Policies

For all of our policies including accommodations, refunds and complaints, please refer to the SETC Website Help Page.

Course Overview

Grow a more communication-rich, AAC-affirming school culture! This self-paced course explores practical strategies for embedding AAC throughout the school environment. Examine the beliefs and practices that shape AAC implementation, strengthen classroom integration and communication partner support, and explore approaches to professional learning and sustainable systems change. Cultivate a school community where students who use AAC can connect, participate, and thrive as communicators.

What You Will Learn

Develop a shared understanding of key beliefs that define an AAC-affirming school culture.
Discover at least two 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.

Course Completion Requirements

Attend the entirety of the program. Partial credit will not be available. Attendance will be tracked by our learning management system.
Complete the module reflection activities. These are ungraded but must be completed and uploaded at the end of the course.
Achieve 100% on three 3-question quizzes after each module. Unlimited retakes are available.
Complete a final 3 question survey.
The above items must be submitted no later than October 31 2028.

Cost: $75 | Make a Payment

Instructors

Sara Ayars, MS, CCC-SLP

Sara is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist with the Special Education Technology Center and an adjunct professor in Western Washington University’s Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program. She provides statewide leadership in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and inclusive technology, partnering with educators, therapists, and families to build communicationrich, accessible learning environments. With over 18 years of experience in public schools, Sara specializes in supporting students ages 3–21 with complex communication needs. Her work focuses on coaching teams, designing scalable professional learning systems, and translating research into practical strategies that promote inclusion, accessibility, and meaningful participation for all learners.

Instructor Disclosure: Sara Ayars receives payment from the Special Education Technology Center.

Responsive Course Agenda

Planting the Seeds of AAC

Growing a Communication-Rich School Culture

Course Section	Activity	Time
Introduction: Growing Schools Where Every Learner Thrives
Course objectives & resources	Read text	1.7 minutes
Envisioning a communication-rich school environment	Watch video Read text	16:47 minutes .6 min
Introduction reflection	Read text	.96 minutes
Course navigation tips & clock hour information	Read text	3 minutes
Module 1: Key Beliefs of an AAC Affirming School
Module 1 objectives & resources	Read text	5.6 minutes
Planting the seeds and preparing the soil	Watch video	36.31 minutes
Module 1 reflection	Read text	2.57 minutes
Module 1 quiz	Read text	1.50 minutes
Module 1 optional resources for further learning	Read text	1.1 minutes
Module 2: Cultivating the Environment: School-Wide Implementation Strategies
Module 2 objectives & resources	Reading text	.88 minutes
Cultivating the environment: School-wide implementation strategies	Watch video Read text	40 minutes .37 minutes
Module 2 reflection	Read text	4.18 minutes
Module 2 quiz	Read text	1.31 minutes
Module 3: Planting AAC in Every Classroom: Practical Integration Strategies
Module 3 objectives & resources	Reading text	.82 minutes
Planting AAC in Every Classroom: Practical Integration Strategies	Watch video Read text	36.20 minutes .36 minutes
Module 3 reflection	Read text	4.53 minutes
Module 3 quiz	Read text	1.33 minutes
Module 4: Growing Stronger Together: Peer Involvement and Sustaining AAC Culture Change
Module 4 objectives & resources	Reading text	1.01 minutes
Growing Stronger Together: Peer Involvement and Sustaining AAC Culture Change	Watch video Read text	38.21 minutes .30 minutes
Module 4 reflection	Read text	4.81 minutes
Module 4 quiz	Reflect & write	1.48 minutes
Module 5: Tending the Garden: Coaching Support for Implementation
Module 5 objectives & resources	Reading text	.86 minutes
Tending the Garden: Coaching Support for Implementation	Watch video Read text	28.22 minutes .26 minutes
Module 5 reflection	Read text	2.56 minutes
Module 5 quiz	Read text	1 minute
Conclusion: Sustaining AAC Culture Change
Final call to action	Watch video Read text	4.5 minutes .56 minutes
Conclusion reflection	Read text	2.12 minutes
Final Quiz & Assignment
Assignment	Read text	.11 minutes
Informal Assessment	Read text	3.5 minutes