*New date confirmed 2nd May
You are invited to a workshop about
Supporting Communication Access and Language Development using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) in Early Childhood Education
Are your Early Childhood Education environments set up for communication success for all children, including any child who may enrol who has a communication difficulty?
Do you have any students enrolled in K, PP, Y1 or Y2 who have communication difficulties that impact on their participation in play, friendships and learning?
Communication difficulties can include:
- a speech and language delay
- speech articulation difficulties
- childhood apraxia of speech
- developmental language disorder
- difficulty understanding and processing spoken English
- stuttering
- situational mutism
- young children learning English as a second language
- echolalia
- non-speaking children as a result of a developmental disability (for example Cerebral Palsy, Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Autism)
- children learning to use their own Alternative or Augmentative Communication (AAC) tools such as a PODD book, AAC app on an iPad or an eye-gaze AAC device.
Do your Early Childhood Educators feel confident in supporting students with communication disability or communication difficulties to engage and participate with other children in all the varied activities of learning and play that make up their school day?
This highly practical FREE in-person workshop will give Early Childhood educators
- resources to take away,
- confidence in their ability to use them, and
- the knowledge required to source further tools and training,
so that schools are better able to include, support and educate young children with communication and language difficulties – particular those who require support in learning to use their own AAC tools.
Family members of children enrolled in K – Year 2 this year who use or may need to use AAC are also welcome to attend this workshop.
| Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a term used to describe all the different strategies, tools and methods of communicating that can be used with speech, or instead of speech. AAC can be “aided” (using a tool such as a symbol book or communication app on an iPad) or “unaided” (communicating without a tool with gestures, facial expressions or key word sign for example). Learn how low-cost, easy to use AAC in Early Childhood settings can help all children experience more success in their communication attempts with others, build friendships, confidence and self-esteem. Educators will gain skills using these Tier 1 AAC tools to support children who are communicating in ways other than spoken English and work towards building a more inclusive, welcoming Early Childhood Education environment. |
PRESENTER – Laura Jones This workshop will be led by Laura Jones, communication consultant for DDWA, a lecturer for eight years in complex communication needs to postgraduate teachers and therapists at Edith Cowan University. Laura has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with you. Guest speakers will also share their perspectives as people with lived experience of communication disability. They will share how inclusive practices have made a positive difference in supporting their access to communication, participation and inclusion.
| Click below to register for this workshop: Date: Tuesday 2 May 2023 Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm Location: Conference Room, City West Lotteries House 2 Delhi Street, West Perth Cost: FREE Format: Face to face only – no online access Lunch will be provided. For further information, please call Leticia Grant on 9420 7203 or email leticia.grant@ddwa.org.au |