Encouraging communication at home and in the community
This family-focused training was created by Morgan van DIepen (BCBA and autism specialist) and Janna Bedoyan (preschool educator and AAC specialist). Based on their book AAC Visualize, the course makes AAC approachable with step-by-step strategies and visuals families can start using right away. The goal is to help you feel confident supporting your child’s AAC journey in everyday routines at home, at school, and in the community.
Why Take This Training?
- Become an informed advocate: Learn what AAC support looks like and how families often lead the advocacy process for services and access.
- Understand the exposure gap: A typically developing child hears roughly 4,380 waking hours of spoken language by 18 months. If a child only receives AAC modeling during weekly speech sessions, that same exposure would take an estimated 84 years. Consistent modeling from everyone around the child is essential.
- Demystify AAC language: AAC is symbolic, so before expecting your child to use it, you’ll learn how to show what each icon means through natural, meaningful context.
- Build a team approach: Understand how teachers, paraprofessionals, SLPs, and BCBAs each contribute. The SLP leads assessment and feature matching; the BCBA supports behavior during sessions and helps embed AAC into everyday routines.
- Use evidence-based strategies: Learn two core strategies (WOW and ACE) for encouraging AAC use in simple, achievable ways.
What You’ll Get
- A clear explanation of core words vs fringe words and why core words are recommended when beginning AAC.
- A walkthrough of modeling through point-and-say (also known as aided language stimulation), pointing to the word on the device while saying it out loud.
- Word of the Week (WOW): Choose one core word and model it across many routines during the week for repeated exposure.
- All Communication Expansion (ACE): Choose one highly preferred activity and model multiple core words during that activity.
- Training on WOW + pause and ACE + pause (intentionally waiting 5–10 seconds to create opportunities for your child to respond).
- Guidance on expanding language using MLU + 2 or the simpler one-up method.
- Step-by-step overview of the three AAC assessment pathways: through school-based services, via insurance (device belongs to the child), or privately.
- The essential reminder to accept and validate every communication attempt (vocal, sign, gesture, or device) without requiring repetition.
Take this training to access practical tools that make AAC use feel natural, simple, and fun. Consistent modeling and low-pressure interaction are key. When your child uses their AAC device independently, even in a small way, celebrate with enthusiasm (more bubbles, more paint, more time)! Those joyful moments reinforce confidence and help communication grow over time.