Transitioning from PECS to Speech Generating Devices interactive workshop

What is the event?

Requirement: completion of the ‘PECS Level 1 Training’ Workshop

A full day interactive/practical workshop

please bring a speech generating device (SGD) to the workshop to use during a variety of activities to receive the full experience

With the current influx of communication devices and apps to the market how do we ensure that basic functional communication skills are maintained and taught right from the beginning?

Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) were first introduced for people with motor difficulties like cerebral palsy and now these devices are being introduced to our learners with autism and other related communication difficulties. For these populations, language and cognition are often compromised and basic social and communication skills have not always been mastered prior to the introduction of a device. Because of this, the way we teach the use of SGDs needs to be specially tailored to t the needs of each individual paying attention to devices capabilities vs. user capabilities.

This full day workshop will describe procedures for analyzing a learner's current PECS skills to determine candidacy for transitioning to a SGD, choosing a device, and teaching functional use of the device, and why we must teach the basic principles of communication to our learner first to ensure positive outcomes are achieved.

Topics covered include: • Review of the PECS Protocol • The unique challenges of learners with complex communication needs • Procedures for analysing current PECS skills • Determining candidacy for transitioning from PECS to an SGD • The 5 criteria for appropriate device selection • Preparing the learner for the transition • Using elements of the PECS Protocol to teach functional SGD use • Problem solving SGD use

Refreshments at break times will be provided, however please bring your own lunch.

Free on street parking and limited parking on a first come first served basis in our car park.

£160 for professionals (including foster carers), £85 for parents. This includes training and a pre printed handout of the presentation including space for note taking.

When is the event?