These modules aim to help you explore how pictographic symbols, used for supporting  communication, can help with early intervention strategies when working with young children who are non-vocal or have  speech, language and literacy difficulties. Aspects of total communication, such as multimodal methods will be touched on, taking a structured approach based on the social model of disability. 

The AAC early intervention training modules have been developed in partnership with UNICEF and all the content is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0) .  Grateful thanks must also go to all the contributors to the project.

Note: Google Chrome is the recommended browser for this course. Please select Ctrl+P (Command-P) if you want to print out any training pages.

More information about the course modules, who they are aimed at, levels of knowledge required, learning objectives and time needed to complete the course. 

Unicef Logo

Developed in Partnership with Unicef

AAC Forum

conversaionDo ask any questions you may have about the content, activities or quizzes in the training modules.

Share your experiences of working with young children who have communication difficulties. 

Join the AAC Forum


Module 1

Module 1

This module introduces the concept of AAC and how symbols can help those with limited or no speech and language skills.  It touches on symbol design, making symbol choices and setting out on the AAC journey. 

Click to enter this course

Module 2

Module 2

This module explores the process of assessment, strategies for inclusion using the SETT Framework and the provision of an individualised report highlighting key issues to help implementation. 

Click to enter this course

Module 3

Module 3

This module takes AAC into the classroom with activities related to its use, from single messages to the creation of communication boards and planning for progression

Click to enter this course

Module 4

Module 4

This module will introduce the various assistive technologies and access methods available to AAC and how they can be positioned to help when activating devices and applications.

Click to enter this course

Module 5

Module 5

In this Module we will be discussing the importance of the relationship between family and practitioners in order to achieve successful AAC outcomes, with examples of how some members of the extended family can also help.  

Click to enter this course

Module 6

Module 6

The final module touches on other ways of working with AAC and how new and innovative technologies could support more users and speed communication. 

Click to enter this course