Course Description:  This implementation-based workshop will focus on empowering diverse learners to maximize their educational and communication potential.  We will start by looking at emergent communicators and how we can best provide Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) supports and strategies with the goal of moving emergent communicators toward symbolic communication.  Participants will review the stages of pre-intentional and intentional communication, explore a variety of free tools and assessments, and learn about low and high-tech AAC communication supports.  In the afternoon presenter will shift to focus on education strategies to support literacy and engagement for diverse learners. Participants will explore best practices for implementing free resources that support speech and language goals, encourage positive behavior, maximize engagement, differentiate instruction and improve literacy.  Throughout the afternoon, participants will complete a weekly planner to take home to enable immediate implementation of the strategies and free resources at home, in a classroom, or in a therapy setting.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:

• List three characteristics of an emergent communicator
• Identify two assessment tools for assessing emergent communication skills
• Identify two high-tech AAC solutions that can be implemented with the emergent communicator
• Describe how the activities and supports in Boardmaker Activities-to-Go can be used to support diverse learners
• Describe five teaching tips for effectively implementing instruction
• Complete a weekly planner using Boardmaker Activities-to-Go

All participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or iPad