Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is the term used to describe a variety of communication methods other than speech.  At Joondalup Education Support Centre, we believe that every student has a right to be able to communicate.  We often have students at our School with complex communication needs (CCN) such as speech or language difficulties.  We strive to give them a “voice” by supporting them to communicate using AAC.

To support our student’s communication and language development, we made the decision to have a whole school approach to communication.  We chose to use PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) communication books.  PODD books were developed in Australia by Gayle Porter with the aim to provide continuous communication all the time, for a range of messages/topics and across multiple settings.  We believe that modelling communication for a variety of different purposes throughout the day gives our students the necessary tools to have a “voice” and enables them to contribute in all areas of learning. 

To support staff in using our PODD book’s we are following Yvette Theodorsen’s PODD Focus Sheets.  These Focus sheets were shared with us by Jane Farrall on her visit to our school in 2016 when we first started our PODD journey and are available on her website.

Yvette is a speech pathologist and Certified PODD Workshop presenter.   She developed the PODD Focus sheets to support communication partners in learning how to model  language using a PODD book. 

Last week our focus was to make the PODD book visible and accessible throughout the day.  Staff have been using and wearing their PODD books both in the classroom and in the playground.  AAC trolleys with spare PODD books have been placed around the playground to allow our students access to language while at play. 

This week we have been looking at using “Chat Words.” This is the language that is available on pages 1a and 1b on our PODD books. 

The vocabulary on these first two pages allows for quick communication and can be used for a variety of communication purposes across the day. 

As a school, we also support the use of communication devices that many of our students own.  We believe that modelling on these devices enhances the user’s knowledge and encourages them to use their device to communicate. Students are encouraged to take their communication devices with them when they move around the school campus to ensure they have access to their “voice” wherever they are. 

At Joondalup ESC we understand that providing and using AAC is crucial in giving students with complex communication needs the necessary tools to enable them to communicate and to interact with others.  If you have any queries regarding your child’s communication, please don’t hesitate to contact your classroom teacher or I at any time.

Sue Norman

AAC Co-Ordinator