Website: www.ATtherapy.co.uk (for LAMP training www.aacandautism.com)
Main contact for training: Andrea McGuinness, [email protected], 0161 494 6489 / 07734229419
Area covered: North of England for AT / AAC training or therapy. LAMP training has national coverage
Age groups covered: All ages

Type/details of training offered: We provide speech and language therapy support for individuals using assistive technology, including AAC. Linking assistive technology with communication development is our specialism. We can provide training for a specific individual’s needs or recommend systems and strategies. Our training options include:

• Using signs and symbols
• Introduction to assistive technology and AAC
• Assessment and intervention strategies for AAC
• Early communication strategies, suitable for children with complex communication impairments
• Learning language for the long term with AAC

We are also the sole UK providers for LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) training. We are happy to discuss any training needs and develop bespoke training as needed. Specialist speech and language therapists provide the training, which focuses on communication skills development through AT and AAC. We can also offer ongoing specialist speech and language therapy support.

Do you have online training? No – but online LAMP training is in development.

Approximate cost of training: We offer day and hourly rates. We can also provide ongoing therapy support and training. Please contact us for details.

Website: http://www.callscotland.org.uk/professional-learning/in-school-training/
Main contact for training: Shirley Lawson, [email protected], 0131 651 6235
Area covered: Scotland
Age groups covered: 3 – 18

Type/details of training offered: We provide a range of professional learning courses on using assistive technology to support children and young people with disabilities and/or additional support needs. We offer specialist training in AAC, technology to support dyslexia, ASD and visual impairment. We can provide bespoke training according to your needs – please get in touch to discuss.

Do you have online training? Yes – we have live and archived webinars on a range of assistive technology topics http://www.callscotland.org.uk/professional-learning/webinars/
We have five short online learning modules for people who would like to learn more about AAC: http://www.aacscotland.org.uk/Right-to-Speak/Learning-Modules/.

Approximate cost of training: From £290 for a two-hour session, up to £985 for a full day (with two trainers and IT equipment).

Website: www.candleaac.org
Main contact for training: Becka Kitchin, [email protected], 01229 585173
Area covered: UK Wide and Ireland
Age groups covered: 0-25 and some work with over 25’s

Type/details of training offered: We offer bespoke training in communication and learning throughout the UK, as well as assessment and in-school ongoing support. We can set up literacy programmes for students who rely on AAC in special and in mainstream settings. We also advise on curriculum access in mainstream schools. We sell low-tech communication and learning solutions. We are the sole UK-wide provider of the AAC City and Guilds.

We can provide specialist training:

• Producing and developing low-tech communication books.
• Using the iPad for communication and learning.
• Setting up literacy programmes for students who rely on AAC at all ability levels.
• Assessment procedures to establish the entry point into a literacy programme for students who rely on AAC.
• Advice, training and potentially on-going support in adapting the mainstream curriculum for students who rely on AAC.
• Advice and training in the use of AAC in person-centred planning with students who are in transition or otherwise in a situation where they need to make choices.
• Neuro motor issues and their effect on access to communication and learning devices.
• Using communication vocabularies for more than talking.

Do you have online training? No

Approximate cost of training: Costs are £350 for half a day, £600 for a day and £1,100 for two days plus travel and accommodation.

Website: www.talkingmats.com/training/
Main contact for training: Karen MacPhail, [email protected], 01786 479511
Area covered: UK Wide
Age groups covered: All ages

Type/details of training offered: Foundation with resource (delivered in various locations in the UK) – a one-day course combining hands-on experience of Talking Mats with role play, discussion and reflection on the use of the mat.
Two-part training with resource (delivered from our base in Stirling) – a course of two half-days that gives participants time to reflect and develop their own communication skills using video feedback.
Accredited training – a two-day intensive course enabling people to become trainers within their own organisations.
We offer a variety of training courses throughout the UK that are tailored to suit individual teams and/or organisations that help them develop their services to people with a communication disability using the Talking Mats framework.

Do you have online training? Yes – our online training course is delivered over 12 weeks and gives people the opportunity to understand the impact of communication difficulties and learn how to use Talking Mats.

Approximate cost of training: Varies – average £190.