Streamlining Professional Development with Multimedia Resources: Support for Formal and Informal AAC Learning Experiences Using Stepping into AAC Materials

Abstract

Developing high‑quality AAC professional learning can be a complex process that requires time, expertise, and sustained effort. There is generally a great deal to address, and each piece carries real significance.

Stepping into AAC is a compilation of resources to guide families through learning about AAC and integrating it into daily life. It includes 100 days of hands-on activities, videos, newsletters, and supplemental print materials for the journey. This session illustrates how these materials can be flexibly applied to support AAC learning across teams and professionals, with consideration for time constraints, staff changes, and differing needs.

In this presentation, we share AAC Learning Pathways designed to streamline professional development across service delivery settings and illustrate how Stepping into AAC materials can be used in professional development experiences. These pathways address the needs of several different audiences, including participants who

• Have little or no prior experience with AAC;

• Have some previous AAC experience who may have lost their momentum in their AAC practices, and those returning to it after a hiatus;

• Use AAC regularly and seek to extend their knowledge and skills.

Each AAC Learning Pathway considers five elements of communication partner learning that are foundational to Stepping into AAC: tools/technology, knowledge, skills, habits, and community.

Technology topics outline basic design features, including linguistic and operational configurations that maximize the user experience and learning over time, such as the features and functions of robust AAC and the role of motor planning.

Content that addresses knowledge includes key concepts related to AAC, communication, language development, intrinsic motivation, and the value of connectedness as part of the human experience. The Topic Map outlines where and how various AAC topics are addressed (e.g., hands-on activities, handouts, newsletters, and videos on core vocabulary, model AAC, accepting multiple modalities, and understanding language development).

Skills topics are specific to engaging with AAC by looking and touching. It helps communication partners learn actionable interaction with AAC.

Developing habits of AAC use ensures that it is available, accessible, and utilized across time and activities.

Finally, creating community around AAC includes both community with AAC learners and users, and building acceptance of AAC around individuals.

These elements are interwoven across Stepping into AAC content. Some weeks focus more heavily on a given area, such as knowledge or skills. But over time, each element is addressed in a spiral fashion. As such, select elements of Stepping into AAC can be combined to design custom professional learning sessions that suit either short-term or long-term needs of specific teams.

The agenda for the proposed session includes:

• 10 min: Overview of Stepping into AAC conceptual elements and primary materials;

• 10 min: Introduction and use of the AAC Topic Map and AAC Learning Pathways;

• 10 min: Maximizing the effectiveness of AAC professional learning experiences through activities, storytelling, and practice;

• 20 min: Using Stepping into AAC materials in AAC professional development experiences offered in a single event and in a multi-part training series; and,

• 10 min: Using Stepping into AAC in clinical supervision, mentoring, and other informal professional learning experiences.

The materials discussed in this session are free to participants.

References Supporting this Work

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Flores, C., & Dada, S. (2025). The effect of AAC training programs on professionals’ knowledge, skills and self‑efficacy in AAC: A scoping review. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(1), 65–77.

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