AAC in the Classroom: Supporting Inclusive Practice in Schools
A practical course on creating inclusive, communication‑rich classrooms for AAC users, now delivered face to face here at Ace Centre.
Description
Schools play a key role in ensuring that all pupils, including those with SEND, can access and participate fully in learning. For learners with complex speech, language and communication needs, this requires thoughtful, graduated support that enables them to communicate and engage alongside their peers.
This one day in-person course from Ace Centre is designed for educators leading inclusive practice in mainstream or specialist schools. It will support you to understand Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) within the context of high quality teaching and your school’s graduated approach.
Course aim
- To recognise a range of AAC methods (unaided and aided) as reasonable adjustments that enable equitable access to the curriculum and social participation
- To understand how communication environments should be adapted at a universal (whole-class) level, reducing reliance on individual support plans where possible (graduated approach)
- To describe how AAC supports functional, meaningful communication across contexts, including learning, social interaction, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy
- To understand the role of adults as skilled communication partners, who model, scaffold, and respond to AAC use in line with best practice and inclusive pedagogy
- To identify and apply practical, evidence-informed techniques that promote consistent, high-quality AAC provision across the school day
Suitable for
The training is aimed at teaching staff and therapists and equips them with practical techniques and teaching strategies to promote consistent, meaningful AAC use in the classroom.
Special Requirements
The course is held in person at Ace Centre. Refreshments will be provided.
You will learn
The course reframes AAC as part of ordinarily available provision, rather than as a specialist add on. You will explore how communication support can be developed across universal, targeted and specialist levels.
There is a strong focus on practical, evidence informed strategies that can be used within everyday teaching. Through real classroom examples, you will see how supported communication and aided language can reduce barriers to participation, promote independence and improve access to the curriculum.
You will also reflect on your current provision and consider how AAC fits within wider SEND systems, including staff development, provision mapping and whole school approaches.
By the end of the day, you will feel more confident leading inclusive communication practice, supporting staff, and embedding AAC within your school’s graduated response.