Peers Matter: Fostering Social Communication and Friendship for Students who Use or Would Benefit from AAC

Peers Matter: Fostering Social Communication and Friendship for Students who Use or Would Benefit from AAC

Date: January 13, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Format and Platform: Virtual via Zoom
Registration Fee: $10
Registration Deadline: January 13, 2026

Topic Focus: Classroom Level

Intended Audience: Special and general educators, service providers such as speech-language pathologists, paraeducators, autism consultants, instructional coaches, and educational leaders and administration who work with students with autism and/or intellectual disability who have limited speech

Flyer

Description: Positive peer relationships are essential for all students, including those with limited speech. This session shares evidence-based strategies to support social communication and language development using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and peer engagement. Attendees will leave with tools they can use to foster friendships and empower every student to express themselves so they can be heard and understood.

Presenters:

Lead Presenter:

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD, Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University, [email protected]

Co-Facilitator(s):

Lindsey Harr-Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP, START Project, Autism Education & Intervention Specialist, [email protected]

Team Viewing or Large Group Option: START offers a Team Viewing or Large Group rate of $200 for larger groups. The Team Viewing registration is available here.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected] by January 12, 2026. We are unable to accept phone cancellations.

By registering for this webinar, you agree to receive email updates from START (articles, updates, new tools and resources, and training and events information) and acknowledge and consent to the recording of the session(s). The recording may capture audio, video, and any shared content during the meeting.

* denotes a required field

Your Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Guests

How many additional attendees are you registering?

Attendee 1

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Attendee 2

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Attendee 3

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Attendee 4

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Attendee 5

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Attendee 6

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Attendee 7

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Attendee 8

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Attendee 9

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name (optional)

Email Address *

Email Address (Confirmation) *

What is your role? *

What is your ISD? *

Do you need any accommodations to access this virtual training effectively? *

How did you hear about the START Project? *
Please specify a value for How did you hear about the START Project?

Human Verification *

Page last modified October 10, 2025

Report a problem with this page