Peers Matter: Fostering Social Communication and Friendship for Students Who Use or Would Benefit from AAC
- Date: December 8, 2026
- Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Format and Platform: Virtual via Zoom
- Registration Fee:
- Individual: $10
- Team viewing/Group: $200
- Registration Deadline:
- Individual: 12/8/26
- Team viewing/Group: 12/1/26
- 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
Lead Presenter:
- Elizabeth Biggs, PhD, Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University
Co-Facilitator:
- Lindsey Harr-Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP, START Project, Autism Education & Intervention Specialist
Positive interactions and relationships with peers are critically important for all students, including students with disabilities who have limited speech. This session will share evidence-based practices to build student’s social communication and language skills through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and by supporting opportunities for peer engagement and relationships. 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.
Individual viewing: For this training, individual viewing is recommended for a single individual attending the training, or for each member of a group of 20 people or less.
Team Viewing Option: For this training, team viewing is recommended for a group size of 21 or more participants, who will be facilitated by at least 1 team leader (preferably a coach within your local ISD).
Team Viewing Instructions:
- Identify and register 1to 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.
START is offering State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs), Social Work Credits, pending approval, and Certificates of Attendance. Participants must complete the Attendance Form provided at the training within 2 days of the training date to receive CEUs and/or a Certificate of Attendance.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be emailed to [email protected] at least 24 hours before training begins for a refund. We are unable to accept phone cancellations.
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.