Alphabet Charts & Books

ABC spelling charts

Alphabet communication book templates

Alphabets you can eye point to

Alphabets you can point to

Charts for Listener Mediated Scanning

Charts with the alphabet + some words and phrases to point to

Coded alphabet charts

Encoded alphabet charts

Frequency layout spelling charts

High contrast charts

Letter codes

QWERTY alphabet charts

Getting Started

Info & Apps

Digital Publications

E-Books

Software

Learning

Access

Seasonal resources

Christmas

Shop

Customisable symbol charts for communication available in five layouts to support different access methods.

Symbol Charts

Core

Creative

Daily Routines

Leisure

Older Learners

Play

Younger Learners

Pragmatic-based Auditory scan book

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The original Pragmatics Profile of Everyday Communication Skills in Children was written by Hazel Dewart and Susie Summers. This revised version has been created with the permission of NFER &#8211; Nelson. This Profile should be used with individuals who have used AAC in the past, are currently using AAC, or where you feel that an individual is using informal modes of AAC and you wish to introduce more formal methods.
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This resource is free to download. There is one version which can be used in two ways:
<ol>
<li>Print &amp; Fill  &#8211; download, print and fill in by hand</li>
<li>Auto Entry &#8211;  download and fill in electronically with Microsoft Word</li>
</ol>
To cite this work: 
Martin, S., Small, K., and Stevens, R. 2024. The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC  &#8211; Second Edition (First Published 26 Sep 2017). Available at:<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/pragmatics-profile-people-use-aac/">https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/pragmatics-profile-people-use-aac/</a>.
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The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC

Alphabet Chart Pack - charts you point to

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This pack contains ten alphabet charts designed to support face-to-face communication for someone who is able to spell but cannot rely upon speech to communicate.
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable-alphabet-charts">Click here to find read about things to consider when customising this chart. </a>
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This pack includes:
<ul>
<li>Using a Clues Book help sheet (PDF)</li>
<li>Clues Book with Widgit symbol support (PDF)</li>
<li>Clues Book with text (PDF)</li>
<li>InPrint3 templates for creating a symbol supported or text based Clues Book</li>
<li>MS Word template for creating a text based Clues Book</li>
</ul>

Clues Book

Designed to support speech when there is difficulty being understood by providing a means for giving clues to a communication partner so they can make guesses to get conversation back-on-track.

Chat about TV

A symbol chart to support communication around watching television.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

This fully revised and updated illustrated guide describes what’s required to construct and use a communication book with a preliterate individual.  This second edition builds on all that was good about the original, much loved guide, incorporating the wealth of experience of the full Ace Centre team.  The guide offers clarity for parents, carers and professionals in developing communication books that progressively help people to communicate an increasing number of messages.  
The guide sets out:
<ul>
<li>An updated, stable core vocabulary that is available from every topic page to promote its use.  The core vocabulary is developed through five stages and includes a newly simplified Stage One.</li>
<li>Ideas for developing a fringe vocabulary that can meet an individual’s interests, needs and varied environments, with plenty of examples included.</li>
<li>A continued promotion of the communication of rich ideas through symbols rather than the production of grammatically correct sentences for face-to-face communication.</li>
<li>A new approach to organising pages and accessing vocabulary with a suggested menu, tabs and supports for navigating around the book.</li>
<li>The importance of a communication partner who is taught, through the guide, to use and model the symbols during communication and to support and scaffold the learner’s own communication attempts.</li>
</ul>
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The guide itself with its sample pages is presented in an A5 file, but a learner’s communication book can easily be created at A4 size if this is preferred.  Templates for use with most resource making software are available for download along with worksheets to assist in generating page and vocabulary ideas. Download the templates here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DUCB-A5-Templates-Boardmaker-6_AceCentre4.24.zip">Boardmaker V6 A5 templates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DUCB-A4-Templates-Boardmaker-6-_AceCentre4.24.zip">Boardmaker V6 A4 templates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DUCB-Templates-Boardmaker-7_AceCentre4.24.zip">Boardmaker V7 templates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2017/10/MindExpress-Templates.zip">MindExpress Templates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DUCB-InPrint-3-files-updated.zip">InPrint3 templates</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/identifying-vocabulary-to-personalise-aac/">Identifying Vocabulary to personalise my book</a></li>
</ul>
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DUCB - Developing and Using a Communication Book

For more information about creating symbol based materials click <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/getting-started-with-paper-based-symbol-resources">here to access our Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources eBook</a>
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=symbol-charts">Click here to download free symbol based AAC charts featuring core words.</a>
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/learning/search?category=communication">Visit Ace Centre Learning for live and on demand training courses on introducing symbol based AAC here</a>

Getting Started with Core Words

This leaflet is a starting point for introducing the concept and importance of core words to people who are creating symbol based AAC materials.
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Look at Photos

A symbol chart to support communication while looking at photographs.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Listen To Music

A symbol chart to support communication while listening to music.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features
There is a lot of emphasis on communication partner skills in this resource. That is because communication does not happen in isolation – it is a social act involving two or more people. The person who is communicating with someone who cannot rely on speech needs to develop a range of skills that will enable them to support that person to fulfil their potential.
Please note that this resource is not suggesting that paper-based AAC is ‘best’, or that using paper-based communication resources is a prerequisite to using an electronic communication aid. It is simply about valuing the role of paper-based communication systems, and sharing lots of ideas and strategies to help develop and support them. You may well find that many of the ideas and strategies are useful when it comes to other forms of communication too

Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources

The aim of this resource is to introduce you to paper-based AAC involving symbols to enable you to support those who can’t rely on speech to communicate. Communication enables us to express ourselves, learn, have fun and be active members of society. Supporting communication with symbols can unlock so many opportunities for those unable to rely upon speech to communicate.

Make Up

A symbol chart to support communication while putting on make up.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Colours

A symbol chart to support communication about colours while getting dressed, doing art, playing games or in many other activities!
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Manicure

A symbol chart to support communication while doing or having a manicure.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

15 - PCS

15 - Widgit

Bingo

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A symbol chart to support communication while playing bingo.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 &#8211; 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 &#8211; 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 &#8211; 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing &#8211; 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing &#8211; 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.
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Reading

A symbol chart to support communication about and while reading.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Gardening

A symbol chart to support communication while gardening.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

8 - Widgit

8 - PCS

24 - Widgit

24 - PCS

Kerplunk

A symbol chart to support communication while playing Kerplunk.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Snakes and Ladders

A symbol chart to support communication while playing snakes and ladders.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

A symbol chart to support communication while doing arts and crafts.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Balloons

A symbol chart to support communication while playing with balloons.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 &#8211; 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 &#8211; 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 &#8211; 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing &#8211; 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing &#8211; 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

40 - PCS

40 - Widgit

30 - PCS

30 - Widgit

Bubbles

A symbol chart to support communication while playing with bubbles.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Dolly

A symbol chart to support communication while playing with dolls.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Bath

A symbol chart to support communication around taking bath.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features
For a more general all round introduction to low tech symbol based AAC, you could see another resource in this AAC Information Series, Getting Started with AAC: Using low tech symbol based systems with children.

Access to paper-based symbol resources when pointing is difficult

The aim of this resource is explore access to low tech symbol based AAC when accessing standard resources is difficult physically or visually. It is aimed at people who are familiar with low tech AAC, but want to find out more about how to adjust and adapt the resources to meet individual needs.

Simon Says

A symbol chart to support communication while playing Simon Says.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

8 - SS

To learn more about literacy instruction for people who use AAC or who have complex needs we suggest the following sources:
General literacy: 
<a href="https://literacyforallinstruction.ca/">Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities </a> website with information and guidance
<a href="http://www.project-core.com/">Project Core </a> website with information and free professional development modules
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46177933-comprehensive-literacy-for-all">Comprehensive Literacy for All</a> book with information and guidance
<a href="http://www.teachustoo.org.uk/">Teach Us Too</a> UK based charity promoting literacy education for all
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Self Directed Reading: 
<a href="https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/5-ways-to-make-page-fluffers-and-spacers">PrAACtical AAC </a>blog with tips on making books accessible
<a href="https://www.janefarrall.com/self-selected-reading-books-for-every-reader/">Jane Farrall</a> presentation handout with tips and informations
<a href="https://tarheelreader.org/">Tar Heel Reader </a>large bank of free online books
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Shared Reading: 
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=symbol-charts&amp;page=1&amp;subcategory=symbol-charts-for-reading-looking-at-photos-telling-stories">Ace Centre Symbol Chart</a> free printable symbol charts to support reading books
<a href="https://www.sharedreader.org/">Tar Heel Shared Reader</a> website with information and free professional development modules
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Letter and Sounds 
<a href="https://www.janefarrall.com/teaching-and-learning-the-alphabet-playing-with-letter-shapes-and-sounds/">Jane Farrall</a> blog post on teaching the alphabet
<a href="https://sites.google.com/view/emergingreaders/home?s=09">Reading &amp; Writing 4 All</a> website with free resources for teaching the alphabet
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Writing: 
<a href="https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds/alternative-pencils/">Centre for Literacy and Disability Studies Alternative Pencils </a>information and resources
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=alphabet-charts">Ace Centre Alphabet Charts </a> free printable alphabet charts to use for writing

Getting Started with AAC and Literacy

This leaflet is a starting point for introducing literacy instruction to people who use AAC and why it is important.

Read Dear Zoo

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A symbol chart to support communication while reading Dear Zoo.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.
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15 - SS

Turn Taking

A symbol chart to support communication around turn taking. There are spaces on the chart to add names and photographs of the people who are taking turns while playing games, sharing toys, engaging in sensory play or endless other activities.
For more information and support on how to use symbol charts click here to view our <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=made-by-ace&amp;subcategory=e-books">Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources.</a>

Watch Peppa

A symbol chart to support communication about or while watching Peppa Pig.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Sing Old MacDonald

A symbol chart to support communication about or while singing Old MacDonald.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Blocks

A symbol chart to support communication while playing with blocks.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

You Matter is a remarkable training course for teachers, teaching assistants and therapists that brings together parents of children with significant speech difficulties and their supporting professionals.
<blockquote>A brilliant course! Should be available to all parents, carers and teaching assistants involved with AAC
<footer class="citation"><cite>Course participant</cite></footer>
</blockquote>
You Matter has now been been fully updated with new case study material.
For children with significant speech difficulties, it’s the parents who can hold the key to developing effective communication for their child, if they are provided with the appropriate support.
The You Matter course brings together families and professionals on an equal footing in order to provide practical and positive ways forward for the children’s AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) needs. It gives families the tools and the support needed to set their own goals, solve their own difficulties and become active decision-makers in supporting their own child’s communication.
Developed by therapists across three counties, You Matter provides an opportunity for professionals to learn from other disciplines, and gives families the platform to share practical experiences for the benefit of all involved.
<a href="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter/you-matter-course-summary/">Download course summary</a>
The course requires the minimum of preparation. All of the materials and handouts are provided, including Powerpoint presentations, feedback forms and video resources.
Why the course matters:
<ul>
<li>Empowers parents 
You Matter gives parents the skills and the understanding to effectively take ownership of aspects of their child’s communication, to be an equal and informed partner in the care of their child and to be able to set realistic short term and long term goals for their child</li>
<li>Supports the important SEND reform principle of family and child-centred working (Children and Families Bill 2014), where the aspirations of the family and child are clearly heard and reflected in the long and short term goals within Education, Health and Care Plans. You Matter helps parents and professionals to set realistic goals based on knowledge of their child’s aided communication stage, the specific strategies that are required to support their child and planning how this support can be delivered in partnership with professionals. Co-production is at the heart of planning and parents are able to contribute confidently with the knowledge and skills they gain from this course</li>
</ul>
<h2>What&#8217;s in the course?</h2>
You Matter is divided into eight short sessions to be run flexibly, for example, over two full days or four morning, afternoon or evening sessions.
<h3>Session One</h3>
The first session aims to introduce participants, draw out their hopes and concerns, recognise the pressures they may be under and explore their expectations of the course. Overall aims for the course will be agreed during this session, matching what the participants want to gain with the information provided within the course content.
<h3>Sessions Two and Three</h3>
These sessions look at facilitating communication through aided systems. This is done by considering:
<ul>
<li>What is meant by communication</li>
<li>The five stages of communication development using aided systems</li>
<li>How to select vocabulary at the right level for a child</li>
<li>How participants’ communication affects the child’s progress</li>
<li>How participants’ communication will change as the child gains skills.</li>
</ul>
After the first three sessions, participants can be offered the opportunity to be videoed at home or in school with their child. The aim is to help participants to review their own style of interaction as well as express privately any concerns they may have about their child using aided communication.
<h3>Session Four</h3>
Session Four reviews the video experience and looks at involving others in the child’s communication system. It includes:
<ul>
<li>The difficulties faced by children using aided communication when learning to communicate through their system.</li>
<li>The different types of communication we all use.</li>
<li>How the participants’ role changes as the child gains skill.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sessions Five, Six and Seven</h3>
These sessions bring in feedback from the video sessions, looking at where perceived communication problems lie, and address areas the participants choose to focus on. Session Seven finishes by discovering participants’ longer term aims for their child’s communication and looks at setting achievable goals for the future.
<h3>Session Eight</h3>
The final session is an additional half day which looks at each child’s personal aided communication system. Participants need to bring in their child’s system and either the appropriate communication aid supplier or someone who is familiar with the different systems needs to be available. It’s a session for participants to gain confidence with the programming of the systems, and/or the creation of pages or other low tech materials. A variety of activities are included during the course for participants to investigate some of the issues through working together in small groups.
<h2>How the course was developed</h2>
The course is the outcome of the You Matter project which was carried out as part of the Becta Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Innovative Projects funding stream.
The project aimed to highlight the importance of providing training for parents and closely-involved professionals in supporting a child using aided communication. There were two very different models of training courses, each offering contrasting perspectives on how parent-directed training could be successfully delivered.
As a result, the project has developed a range of ideas for putting training into practice leading to the same desired outcomes for parents, professionals and ultimately the child. During the training, all those taking part were asked to provide extensive feedback to inform this structure of the course. In addition, opportunites for in-depth discussion were provided during workshops which followed the delivery of the courses. These workshops included managers of services as well several lead/highly specialist speech and language therapists who had been delivering.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/matter-education-edition">See the Education Edition of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-education-pack">See the Education Edition Participant Pack of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter">See the Family Edition of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-pack">See the Family Edition Participant Pack of You Matter here</a></li>
</ul>

You Matter - Family Edition

Full You Matter Bundle &#8211; this includes:
<ul>
<li>1x Tutor Guide, resource pack &amp; DVD</li>
<li>10 x Your Guide &amp; resource pack for participants</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-pack/">Additional packs available here</a>

Sing Wheels on the Bus

A symbol chart to support communication while singing Wheels on the Bus.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

Mr Potato Head

A symbol chart to support communication while playing with Mr Potato Head.
It is available in five layouts (choose the option below) to support different access methods:
<ol>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 1 – 8 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 2 – 16 symbols</li>
<li>Finger pointing Stage 3 – 30 symbols</li>
<li>Eye pointing – 6 symbols</li>
<li>Hand (or other body part) pointing – 6 symbols</li>
</ol>
Learn more about the options for customisation offered and how they can help to meet needs your learners needs by <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/blog/customisable_symbol_charts">clicking here</a>.

A brush strokeResources

Resources