replay now avaiable for a short time
Say it without speaking… sounds magical, right?
Modeling AAC with Confidence: A Practical Guide for Special Education Teachers
Catch the video training now available
Feel like you should be modeling AAC but…
You’re not confident you’re doing it “right.”
You don’t have time to plan what words to model.
You’re worried you’ll confuse your students or make a mistake.
👉 If that’s you, you’re not alone.
Imagine this instead:
You walk into circle time knowing exactly which words to model.
You feel confident pointing and talking without second-guessing yourself.
Your paras know what to do because you’ve got visuals + scripts to guide them.
You finally feel like AAC isn’t “one more thing”—it’s just part of your teaching.
And the best part? You can get there in under an hour.
“Most special education teachers know AAC is important—but very few have been trained on how to use it in a real classroom, with real routines, real paras, and very real time limits. This training helped accomplish this for me.”
Jenzie H.
Here's what you'll learn:
✅ Know what AAC modeling really looks like (and why it’s simpler than you think)
✅ Understand the “3 by 3 Rule” for quick, daily modeling you can actually keep up with
✅ Have go-to scripts for circle time, snack, and transitions (no more awkward pauses!)
✅ Learn how to get your paras on board so everyone is supporting AAC consistently
✅ Feel confident even when students don’t respond right away (you’ll know it’s still working!)
BONUS: Walk away with visuals, trackers, and tools you can start using the very next day
Join the AAC workshop
Because once you know where to start and what to say, AAC stops feeling overwhelming—and starts becoming second nature.
80%
Did you know?
Research shows that students who receive consistent AAC modeling can increase their communication attempts by up to 80% compared to students without consistent modeling.
That means even short, daily models in your classroom can dramatically boost how your students use their voices—whether through devices, visuals, or boards.
This workshop is perfect for you if:
ou’re a special education teacher who wants to use AAC but feels overwhelmed by where to start.
You’ve thought: “What if I’m doing it wrong?” or worried you’re not modeling enough.
You don’t have time to plan out complicated AAC lessons—you just need simple, ready-to-use strategies.
You want your paras, therapists, and team on the same page with AAC use.
You’ve tried AAC before, but it felt forced, awkward, or like “just one more thing” on your plate.
BONUS:Free access to The Exceptional Collective through October 31th
$23
WAS $37
will never be this low again
AFTER this AAC training, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO:
Model AAC with confidence—without worrying if you’re “doing it wrong.
Integrate AAC naturally into circle time, transitions, and daily routines (no extra planning required).
Use the “3 by 3” rule to make modeling simple, quick, and consistent.
Troubleshoot common challenges like student resistance or device glitches with practical backup strategies.
Empower paras and team members by sharing easy scripts and visuals they can use right away.
FAQ
Do I need to already know a lot about AAC to take this training?
Not at all! This training was created for teachers who are brand-new to AAC and those who’ve dabbled but still feel unsure. We’ll start with the basics and give you quick, doable steps to use AAC with confidence in your classroom.
Will I get a certificate of attendance?
Yes! All attendees will receive a certificate for 1 hour of professional development.
How long will the training take?
Nope! Whether you're a first-year teacher or a seasoned pro, this workshop is packed with strategies and templates that work for everyone.
What if I’ve already joined The Exceptional Collective?
Awesome—you’ll still get access from your EC portal from the live training and can build on what you already have!
Will this work if my students all use different AAC systems?
Yes! The focus is on modeling strategies that work across devices and systems. Whether your students use high-tech devices, low-tech boards, or picture visuals, the methods in this training can be adapted for them.
Why $37?
Because this toolkit saves you:
✅ HOURS of Googling what AAC modeling is supposed to look like
✅ The stress of making visuals/templates from scratch
✅ The guesswork of “am I doing this right?”
Dawn Ellis
presenter, nbct
Hi, I'm Dawn Ellis, NBCT and former special education teacher of 15+ years turned curriculum designer and coach for other SPED teachers. I’ve sat in hundreds of IEP meetings—and I’ve felt the overwhelm firsthand. That’s why I created systems that actually work and resources that save time without sacrificing student success. I host the Be The Exception podcast and lead The Exceptional Collective to help teachers like you thrive—not just survive—the IEP process.
Here's what others are saying
"I finally stopped avoiding AAC because I was afraid of messing it up. The scripts and cheat sheet made it so easy to start small and actually do it."
SheLly D. – Special Ed Teacher, 3rd grade
"The mythbuster handout alone changed the way my paras supported AAC. No more waiting for ‘perfect words.’ We just model and keep moving."
Annie K. – Autism Classroom Teacher
Ready to model with confidence?
You don’t need another year of “maybe next time.” You need simple steps and tools that fit into your real teaching day.