For Schools

Building Confident Communication Teams.

Core AACcess Consulting partners with school districts to strengthen AAC implementation through practical professional development, individualized coaching, consultation, and comprehensive AAC evaluations.

Our goal is not simply to introduce AAC tools — it is to help teams build sustainable communication practices that support students throughout the school day

Services

Professional Development & AAC Training

Interactive professional development designed for teachers, paraprofessionals, SLPs, related service providers, and school teams. Training should be practical, relevant, and immediately applicable in classrooms.

AAC Implementation Coaching

Ongoing coaching that helps staff move from knowing about AAC to confidently using it. Support can include modeling, classroom observation, feedback, problem-solving, and implementation planning.

AAC Consultations

Individualized consultation for students, classrooms, programs, or district teams to address AAC access, implementation challenges, communication supports, and next steps.

AAC Evaluations

Comprehensive AAC evaluations designed to identify communication needs, explore appropriate systems, and provide practical recommendations for implementation across settings.

Classroom & Team Support

Hands-on support to help communication systems become part of everyday classroom routines, increase consistency across team members, and support carryover throughout the school day.

Who We Work With

School districts
Special education programs
Teachers and paraprofessionals
Speech-language pathologists
Related service providers
Administrators and child study teams
Interdisciplinary student teams

AAC TRAININGS

AAC 101: Building Communication Access Across the District

Audience: District-wide staff (general education teachers, special education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, administrators, special area teachers)

This introductory, district-wide training provides a shared foundation for understanding what AAC is, why it is essential, and how all staff play a role in communication access. Designed for audiences with varying levels of experience, this session introduces AAC in a clear, approachable way and emphasizes that AAC is not just a special education tool—but a district-wide responsibility and an inclusion practice.

AAC Foundations for Classroom Teams

Audience: General education teachers, special education teachers, paraprofessionals

This training supports classroom teams in understanding how to model and support AAC use during daily instruction and routines. The focus is on what AAC looks like in real classrooms, including transitions, group activities, and behavior support.

Participants learn practical strategies for modeling core vocabulary and encouraging communication without interrupting instruction.

AAC for Paraprofessionals: Practical Support in the Moment

Audience: Paraprofessionals, aides, 1:1 support staff

This training provides paraprofessionals with clear, concrete guidance for supporting AAC users throughout the school day. Emphasis is placed on confidence, consistency, and knowing how to respond to communication attempts in the moment.

AAC Implementation for Speech-Language Pathologists

Audience: School-based SLPs

This training focuses on AAC implementation beyond the therapy room. SLPs learn strategies for promoting carryover, coaching classroom staff, and supporting AAC use across environments. This training can also focus on learning specific AAC systems and technical troubleshooting.

AAC Across the School Day: Inclusion in Special Area Classes

Audience: Special area teachers (art, music, physical education, library/media)

This training demonstrates how AAC can be embedded naturally into special area classes where communication is interactive. No prior AAC experience is required.

Pilot Training

A 45–60 minute pilot is available for individual schools or grade levels to introduce AAC modeling strategies before scaling district-wide.

AAC Services for Schools — Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide AAC evaluations for school districts?

Yes. Core AACcess Consulting provides comprehensive AAC evaluations designed to identify student communication needs, explore appropriate systems and features, and provide practical recommendations that can be implemented across educational environments.

Can you provide AAC training for an entire school or district?

Yes. Professional development can be designed for teachers, paraprofessionals, speech-language pathologists, related service providers, administrators, and interdisciplinary teams. Training is designed to be practical and applicable to real classroom communication.

Do you train paraprofessionals and classroom staff, not just SLPs?

Yes. AAC implementation is a team responsibility. Training can include teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and other staff members who interact with AAC users throughout the school day.

What is AAC implementation coaching?

Implementation coaching helps teams move from learning about AAC to using it consistently in everyday practice. Support may include modeling, classroom observation, feedback, problem-solving, communication-partner strategies, and individualized implementation planning.

Can you provide classroom-based AAC support?

Yes. Classroom and team support can focus on integrating AAC into natural routines, increasing communication opportunities, supporting staff modeling, troubleshooting barriers, and helping communication systems become part of the student’s entire school day.

Can you consult on a student who already has an AAC device?

Yes. Consultation can help when a student has a device but implementation is inconsistent, the system is not meeting current needs, staff are unsure how to support it, or the team needs help identifying appropriate next steps.

Do you provide ongoing support after professional development?

Yes. Training can be paired with consultation or implementation coaching so teams have opportunities to apply what they learned, troubleshoot challenges, receive feedback, and build sustainable AAC practices.

Who can Core AACcess work with within a school system?

Core AACcess can collaborate with school districts, special education programs, teachers, paraprofessionals, speech-language pathologists, related service providers, administrators, child study teams, and interdisciplinary student teams.

Do you offer virtual professional development?

Yes. Core AACcess Consulting offers both in-person and virtual professional development. In-person services are available in North and Central New Jersey, and virtual services are available nationwide.

Do you provide CEUs?

Not at this time. While Core AACcess Consulting does not currently offer CEUs, all trainings are professional, evidence-informed, and aligned with school-based practice. Many districts are able to count sessions toward internal professional development requirements.

Can trainings be tailored by grade level or program?

Of course! Trainings can be customized based on:

Grade level (early childhood, elementary, etc.)
Program type (general education, inclusion, self-contained)
Staff role (teachers, paraprofessionals, SLPs, special area teachers)

How do you support carryover after a training?

Core AACcess Consulting emphasizes implementation beyond the training session. Support may include:

Optional classroom-based AAC coaching
Follow-up consultation as requested by the district

Do you work with multiple AAC systems?

Yes. Core AACcess Consulting supports a wide range of AAC systems and approaches. The focus is on features, access, and implementation, not on promoting one specific device or app.

Ready to Strengthen AAC Implementation in Your District?

Let’s build a plan that fits your students, staff, and program.

Servicing North & Central Jersey