2 Day Introductory Workshop in Supporting Communication: Developing Frameworks for Support and Learning to be a Facilitator

Typing to Communicate is one method used in accessing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) equipment. This two-day workshop provides the opportunity to learn the techniques necessary to be a facilitator within the context of the principles common to all communication support approaches. This interactive workshop addresses the following key topics:

• Presuming competence and communicative potential
• Finding opportunities for communication and engagement
• Understanding communication as a dynamic process
• Understanding the connection to movement
• Nature of support, including physical communicative and emotional
• Supporting the communicator to have agency over their own communication
• Feedback and monitoring
• Strategies for practice and working toward independence
• Supporting communication in school and community settings
• Best practices and documentation

This is a learn-by-doing workshop packed with role-playing and simulations. Participants work with Institute on Communication and Inclusion trainers, augmentative communication users and experienced facilitators in building facilitator skills. This workshop is designed to appeal to administrators, teachers, therapists, teaching assistants, adult care providers, as well as families. It is not necessary to be working directly with an established augmentative communication user or potential candidate to attend this workshop.