In October of 2023, in recognition and celebration of Augmentative/Alternative Communication Month, learners at Countryside Elementary School engaged in an experience where they explored augmentative/alternative communication. In a continuation of their commitment to helping all students learn language, the entire staff of Countryside Elementary were introduced to the fundamental tenets of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) by a team comprising their Speech-Language Pathologist, a 1st grade general education teacher, a Cross-Categorical teacher, and their Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Assistive Technology. The workshop focused on employing AAC as a support tool, defining effective communication partnership, and ensuring equitable and inclusive instruction for all students.

Feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive, with numerous staff members expressing increased engagement and appreciation for the insights shared. This initiative marks a significant stride towards inclusivity and is part of Countryside Elementary’s ongoing efforts to integrate effective, innovative educational practices that cater to diverse learning needs. If you’re interested in leading a similar event, reach out to the Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Assistive Technology who works at your school!

The team of presenters

The staff at Countryside learning all about core vocabulary.

More staff at Countryside ES learning about how to teach language using augmentative/alternative communication

How many sentences can you make using just the words on the core vocabulary board?

Even more staff making sentences using AAC!