Reflect on your personal interaction style and develop communication partner skills to support people using aided language and symbols to communicate. You will have access to online activities to work through independently.
Course aim:
To raise your awareness of the fundamental skills required when interacting with a person who uses AAC
You will learn:
<ul>
<li>To describe typical characteristics of AAC interactions</li>
<li>To identify 4 things that you can do to support an interaction with an AAC user</li>
<li>To use point talking with a communication chart to interact with an AAC user</li>
</ul>
Course includes:
Free access to online learning activities.
Suitable for:
Anyone working with people who use AAC. This course will enable you to work towards the following:
IPAACKS competencies:
<ul>
<li>AAC Leadership</li>
<li>Aware of how to communicate with people who use AAC</li>
<li>Act as a positive role model for others in their interaction with people who use AAC</li>
<li>Facilitating AAC Learning</li>
<li>Able to model positive interaction in relation to communicating with someone who uses AAC</li>
</ul>
Special requirements:
Log in to Ace Centre Learning
Cost: FREE
&nbsp;

On-demand course

Our courses focus on the use of Assistive Technology to enable independence, access to education, learning and leisure activities, and communication.

Online course

Exploring Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) that supports face-to-face communication.

Communication

Communication Partners

Develop your knowledge and skills to identify appropriate AAC solutions. This course explores the fundamental principles of AAC assessment and is suitable for people working with children who may benefit from aided language systems.
Course aim: 
Develop your knowledge and skills to identify appropriate AAC solutions. This course explores the fundamental principles of AAC assessment and is suitable for people working with children and young adults who required aided language systems.
You will learn:
<ul>
<li>To recognise factors to consider in an AAC assessment</li>
<li>To identify assessment questions to ask</li>
<li>To consider the importance of documenting observations accurately;</li>
<li>To evaluate tools to support AAC assessment.</li>
</ul>
Suitable for: 
Practitioners responsible for identifying AAC solutions for people with complex communication needs. This course will enable you to work towards the following:
 IPAACKS competencies
Assessment
<ul>
<li>Able to carry out an informal AAC assessment with guidance and/or using an existing proforma</li>
<li>Able to contribute observations to the more complex AAC assessment</li>
<li>Able to identify when alternative accessing and mounting options may be required and seek support with this, when necessary</li>
<li>Aware when a more specialised assessment would be beneficial</li>
</ul>
Review
<ul>
<li>Able to gather information, and to observe and make judgements in relation to whether or not an AAC system continues to be appropriate and to meet the needs and abilities of the individual</li>
</ul>
Course includes: 
1 hr webinar and 4 weeks enrolment to self-directed learning materials.
Cost: £30
Time: 3.30-4.30pm (a link will be available in the course when you log in)

Runs on specific date

AAC Assessment Tools for Children

Makaton Level 1 training is the starting point for learning Makaton. It provides a practical introduction to the Makaton Language Programme. You will learn hints and tips for effective signing and symbol use and how to start using Makaton in everyday situations at home or work. Level 1 training will introduce the Makaton signs and symbols from Stages 1 and 2, and some of the Additional Stage core vocabulary.
Course aim:
To learn about the Makaton Language Programme and begin to use signs and symbols from the first stages.
You will learn:
• the history, design and structure of the Makaton Core and resource vocabularies 
• to use signs and symbols from stages 1 &amp; 2 
• to use half of the additional vocabulary in their daily environment 
• to use signing techniques for placement, directionality and movement 
• how the signs used with the Makaton vocabulary are derived
Suitable for:
Parents, family members, carers and workers who need to use Makaton at home and in their work.
Course includes:
4 Workshops, a Participant&#8217;s Manual and Level 1 training certificate
Special requirements:
The course is delivered online. We will be delivering this via Teams, so you will be required to use one of the following web browsers: Chrome, Microsoft Edge, FireFox, Safari or Safari Mobile
Course Schedule:
<ul>
<li>21st Feb 2022 &#8211; 1-3pm</li>
<li>7th Mar 2022 &#8211; 1-3pm</li>
<li>21st Mar 2022 &#8211; 1-3pm</li>
<li>4th Apr 2022 &#8211; 1-3pm</li>
</ul>
Cost: £72.50
&nbsp;

Makaton Level 1

This course is in two sessions: 
Part 1 &#8211; Learn about the development of the Pragmatics Profile for people who use AAC and how to administer it; 
Part 2 &#8211; Discover how to use the profile to identify appropriate vocabulary for AAC and create communication targets to support personal development.
9th March (9.30am-12.30pm): An introduction to the Profile, who it is suitable for, and how it should be implemented. Learn about the development of the Pragmatics Profile for people who use AAC, and how to administer it. Following Part 1 you are encouraged to undertake the profile.
30th March (9.30am &#8211; 12.30pm): Discover how to use the profile to identify appropriate vocabulary for AAC and create communication targets to support personal development. This session will support you to utilise the tool, identify priority communication targets and a plan to implement them.
Course aim: 
Explore the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC and receive guidance and supervision to complete the profile and utilise information gathered to plan further interventions.
You will learn:
To describe a person’s functional communication skills 
To use the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC to identify communication targets 
To plan targeted activities to enable communication development and measure progress.
Suitable for:
Practitioners working with people who use AAC who are responsible for identifying AAC requirements and enabling use of AAC across different environments. This course will enable you to work towards the following :
IPAACKS competencies:
Assessment 
Able to carry out an informal AAC assessment with guidance and/or using an existing proforma 
Implementation 
Able to select and format vocabulary appropriate to the person using AAC, with guidance as appropriate 
Able to independently set personalised goals and monitor change against these goals 
Review 
Aware of the need to monitor whether or not an individual’s current AAC system continues to meet their needs
Course Includes:
This is a teacher supported online course and includes 3 Months access to online learning materials and 2 live webinars.
Special requirements:
A copy of the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC available from: https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/pragmatics-profile-people-use-aac/
You will be required to use one of the following web browsers for the live webinar: Chrome, Microsoft Edge, FireFox, Safari or Safari Mobile
Cost: £120

Implementing the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC

Introductory Level  (Webinar)
A live webinar to introduce Ace Centre&#8217;s resource &#8216;Developing and Using a Communication Book&#8217;.
Time: 12.30-1.30pm
Cost: FREE

Webinar

Developing and Using a Communication Book

This two day introductory workshop is hosted and delivered at Ace Centre in Abingdon. The course aims to discuss the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems and is taught as a face to face course.
Course aim: 
This 2 day workshop will explore the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems.
You will learn:
<ul>
<li>The challenges faced when creating communication systems in relation to vocabulary organisation, layout, design and range of access strategies and when customising systems to meet individual requirements</li>
<li>The importance of receptive language input and of creating a language learning environment</li>
<li>The features of a PODD communication system, including vocabulary organisation, layout, design, range of access strategies, and how these can be customised to meet individual requirements</li>
<li>How to use PODD generic template resources to produce customised communication books.</li>
</ul>
Suitable for: 
Family, carers and professionals supporting individuals who use PODD communication systems.
Course includes: 
Workshop manual, 2 face to face taught days with practical activities and hands on PODD communication books
Cost: £225
&nbsp;

Abingdon Office

PODD 2 Day Introductory Workshop

Introductory Level  (Face-to-Face)
This two day introductory workshop is hosted and delivered at Ace Centre in Oldham. We are delighted to welcome Gayle Porter to Ace Centre to deliver the course in collaboration with Suzanne Martin.
The course aims to discuss the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems and is taught as a face to face course.
Learning Outcomes: 
<ul>
<li>The challenges faced when creating communication systems in relation to vocabulary organisation, layout, design and range of access strategies and when customising systems to meet individual requirements;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The importance of receptive language input and of creating a language learning environment;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The features of a PODD communication system, including vocabulary organisation, layout, design, range of access strategies, and how these can be customised to meet individual requirements;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How to use PODD generic template resources to produce customised communication books.</li>
</ul>
Schedule: 
Tuesday 19th April 2022, 9am &#8211; 4pm
Wednesday 20th April 2022, 9am &#8211; 4pm
Cost: £225
Directions to Ace Centre can be found here: <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/contact/oldham" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://acecentre.org.uk/contact/oldham</a>

Oldham Office

PODD 2 Day Introductory Workshop – 19th, 20th Apr 22

Developing Level (Teacher-supported online study)
Develop your knowledge and skills to create personalised communication books using this illustrated guide. Find out who &#8216;Developing and Using a Communication Book&#8217; is suitable for, how to select the appropriate Stage and discover how to use the templates in Boardmaker 7 to create an individualised resource. This session will be in two parts and is supported by Tobii Dynavox.
Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Cost: £120
&nbsp;

How to Develop and Use a Communication Book

Developing Level (Teacher-supported online study)
This course is in two sessions:
Part 1 &#8211; Learn about the development of the Pragmatics Profile for people who use AAC and how to administer it; 
Part 2 &#8211; Discover how to use the profile to identify appropriate vocabulary for AAC and create communication targets to support personal development.
 
Schedule:
Tuesday 14.06.22 &#8211; 9.30am &#8211; 12.30pm 

Tuesday 05.07.22 &#8211; 9:30 &#8211; 12:30pm
Cost: £120