Transform your practice with the Graduate Certificate in Complex Communication Needs (CCN)

In both the education and disability sectors, the need for professionals who can effectively support people with complex communication needs has never been greater. The new Graduate Certificate in Complex Communication Needs (CCN) at Curtin University offers a unique opportunity for teachers, school administrators, disability providers, and practice leaders including Behaviour Support Practitioners to develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to improve outcomes for students and individuals with communication disabilities.

This course is built on a foundation of human rights, quality of life, and positive behaviour support. The first two units — Promoting Human Rights and Quality of Life, and Understanding Behaviour, Needs, and Experiences — are shared with the Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), ensuring that participants gain a well-rounded approach to supporting both children and adults with communication disabilities. These foundational units provide essential skills for understanding underlying needs and establishing evidence-based environments that promote well-being and learning.

For educators, the CCN course focuses on creating communication-capable environments that support students with complex communication needs across settings. Leading teachers will learn how to partner with students, build communication support systems, and upskill colleagues to ensure that all learners have access to effective communication tools, promoting self-determination, decision-making and active participation in learning. This knowledge is key to creating inclusive classrooms and ensuring that communication rights are upheld in educational environments.

For disability sector professionals, this course addresses the systemic and individual approaches required to build capable communication environments in various settings. It equips practice leaders, PBS practitioners/Behaviour Support Practioners, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and AAC specialists with the tools to foster environments where people with communication disabilities can thrive. The course also supports systemic change by empowering practice leaders to mentor and upskill their teams in communication support, ensuring that all professionals involved in the support, care and education of people with disabilities are prepared to create environments that promote well-being and reduce adversities.

By completing this course, participants will gain:

Knowledge in promoting human rights and quality of life, co-taught by lived experience educators (children and adults with disability)
A foundational understanding of experiences, needs, and behaviour from a contemporary, trauma-informed, and neuroscience perspective
Practical skills in how to communicate with people with complex communication needs and how to support their self-determination and decision-making
Confidence in coaching colleagues to provide effective communication support
Skills to enact practice leadership that fosters systemic change and communication-capable environments

These skills are critical for those working in education and the disability sector to meet practice standards and uphold the rights of people with disability. Whether you’re a teacher, support coordinator, disability provider, therapist or PBS practitioner, this course provides the essential knowledge to support the complex needs of people with disabilities, ensuring you are equipped to make a meaningful impact in your practice.

APPLY NOW for study in 2025 and take the next step towards transforming your practice and enhancing the lives of people with communication disabilities.

Click here to apply for the Graduate Certificate in Complex Communication Needs (CCN).

For more information contact Course Coordinator Karen Wylie on:
Karen.Wylie@curtin.edu.au
Tel | +61 8 9266 4905

You can also access information about both the CCN and PBS certificates through the following links:

Image description: QR codes to apply for (left) for Graduate Certificate in Complex Communication Needs (CCN), and (right) Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

CLICK HERE for Graduate Certificate in Complex Communication Needs (CCN)

CLICK HERE for Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

Information Forums

Curtin is also holding some information forums for anyone across the education and disability community services sector, that you are welcome to attend to find out more and ask any questions.

To register for these please register through the following Eventbrite links.

Session 1: Tuesday 3rd December, 4pm, AWST