Tuesday, October 20, 2026
8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Workshop Summary:
Introducing AAC in EI and ECSE settings can be challenging when strategies taught in therapy are not embedded into play, routines, and family-centered environments. This workshop focuses on equipping early childhood teams with seven evidence-based AAC strategies adapted for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Participants will learn how AI tools can support staff learning, planning, and coaching by generating visuals, scripts, and routines-based supports aligned with best practices. Real-life EI and ECSE examples will be used to explore meaningful data collection that reflects authentic communication. Whether children use no-tech, low-tech, or high-tech AAC systems, participants will leave with practical tools and an action plan to support communication throughout daily routines in classrooms and homes.
Professional Development Credits:
IACET CEUs: 0.65
ACVREP CEs: 6.5
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Describe seven evidence-based AAC strategies adapted for play-based and routines-based EI and ECSE environments.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify at least five training, coaching, or planning resources (including AI-supported tools) to support early childhood teams and families implementing AAC.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Develop a routines-based AAC action plan aligned with EI/ECSE practices that can be implemented across classroom and home settings.
Presenter(s)
Registration Options:
| Description | Workshop Fee | Register |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Conference Registration: (Workshop included at no additional cost with 3-day conference registration) | $0 | |
| Tuesday-Only Workshop Registration | $375 | Workshop Only Registration |
Learn more About this Workshop
Presenter-provided Abstract:
Building on strong engagement from prior presentations focused on AAC support for paraeducators, this full-day interactive session is designed specifically for professionals working in Early Intervention (birth to 3) and Early Childhood Special Education (ages 3 to 5) classrooms. The session supports teachers, speech-language pathologists, early interventionists, administrators, instructional coaches, and paraprofessionals in strengthening Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) practices within developmentally appropriate, play-based, routines-driven, and family-centered learning environments.
The morning portion of the session establishes a shared foundation by addressing persistent myths and beliefs about AAC use with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. These include misconceptions related to readiness, concerns that AAC may inhibit speech development, and uncertainty about how AAC fits into play-based instruction and natural routines. Participants will examine how communication breakdowns often occur when AAC strategies introduced in clinical or therapy-focused contexts are not successfully embedded into the fast-paced, relationship-driven environments of EI home visits and ECSE classrooms. Particular attention will be given to communication opportunities within everyday routines such as arrival, snack and meals, circle time, center-based play, outdoor play, toileting, transitions, and family routines at home.
Presenters will explicitly define, model, and provide classroom and home-based examples of seven evidence-based AAC strategies adapted for early childhood contexts, including modeling without expectation, wait time, least-to-most prompting, descriptive feedback and recasting, partner-assisted scanning, visual supports, and early literacy supports. Strategies will be framed within responsive interaction styles that honor developmental levels and emphasize engagement over performance. Errorless learning and the acceptance of all forms of communication, including gestures, vocalizations, signs, facial expressions, and AAC, will be highlighted as essential components of inclusive early communication environments.
Participants will engage in a collaborative TEAM Make-and-Take Planning Tool designed to promote shared understanding, role clarity, and consistency among multidisciplinary team members, classroom staff, and families. This tool supports alignment across service providers and routines, ensuring AAC strategies are implemented consistently throughout the child’s day.
The afternoon session focuses on applied implementation and sustainability. Participants will explore how AI tools (such as ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Claude, Gemini, and Magic School) can support educators and early intervention teams, not replace them, by generating staff-friendly visuals, modeling scripts, family handouts, coaching prompts, planning templates, and observation tools aligned with evidence-based AAC practices. AI is positioned as a pedagogical and coaching support that increases efficiency, enhances professional learning, and promotes implementation fidelity across teams.
The session also addresses meaningful data collection practices appropriate for EI and ECSE, emphasizing observation of authentic communication during play and routines rather than compliance-based or task-driven measures. Participants will explore assessment and planning using tools such as the Communication Matrix and participation-focused frameworks to identify meaningful entry points for AAC support across the day. The session concludes with guided development of individualized, routines-based action plans that participants can immediately share with classroom teams and families. By empowering all adults as competent communication partners, this session supports inclusive, responsive, and effective AAC practices that improve participation and outcomes for young children across early learning environments.