Course Level: Introductory.

Course format: e-learning - text and video.

Course runtime: 1hr 20 minutes

Description

This course will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to effectively support individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

As a communication partner, your role is important in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances the communication abilities of AAC users. Throughout this course, you will learn techniques and strategies to become a more effective and responsive communication partner.

Course outline

Learn how to support AAC users in 8 lessons:
1. Core values of a communication partner.
2. Creating engaging and motivating communication opportunities.
3. Effective modelling techniques.
4. Commenting and questioning.
5. Mastering the pause and responding consistently.
6. Providing appropriate prompts.
7. Expanding and recasting language.
8. Celebrating all forms of communication.

Content disclosure: This course uses examples predominantly from Smartbox Products, other products will be included in a limited format.

Learner outcomes

By the end of the course, you will:

• Know how to model communication, provide prompts, and use expanding and recasting techniques.
• Identify and value different forms of communication.
• Apply at least 3 effective interaction strategies.
• Understand how to promote autonomy and dignity for AAC users.

Completion requirements: You must complete all course content including reading all text and watching all video content. This course is assessed via a multiple-choice, five-question knowledge check at the end of the course. The pass score is 80%. You can take the knowledge check multiple times.

Instructor Bio

Kim Lawther | Product Manager, Education for Smartbox.

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Disclosures 

Financial disclosure: Kim Lawther is an employee of Smartbox Assistive Technology and receives a salary.

Non-financial disclosure: Kim Lawther has no relevant non-financial disclosure.