Peers Matter: Fostering Social Communication and Friendship for Students who Use or Would Benefit from AAC- Team Viewing
Peers Matter: Fostering Social Communication and Friendship for Students who Use or Would Benefit from AAC
Dates: January 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Format and Platform: Virtual via Zoom
Team Viewing Registration Fee: $200 (25-100+ participants)
Registration Deadline: January 5, 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.
Team Viewing Instructions:
-
Identify and register 1-2 Team Leaders (preferably
a coach within your district/ISD) who will be responsible for
facilitating the virtual training experience.
- Team Leaders are responsible for the following:
- Organizing and coordinating the training in a physical viewing location.
- Communicating with START about the training and questions that arise.
- Collecting team attendance and reporting this attendance to START.
- Facilitating the team experience.
- Team Leaders are responsible for the following:
- After registering, START will send the Team Leaders a Facilitator Guide with information about facilitating a high-quality virtual training experience in a large group.
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]
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected] by January 12, 2026. We are unable to accept phone cancellations.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): START is offering State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs), pending approval, and Certificates of Attendance. Participants must complete the Attendance Form provided at the training within 3 days of the training date to receive SCECHs and/or a Certificate of Attendance.
START only accepts credit cards for payment.
By registering for this training, 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.
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