Face-to-face Training
We offer group training sessions for staff and parents on a range of Assistive Technology (AT) and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). To discuss face-to-face training options please do not hesitate to contact us. Bookable sessions will be added throughout the year, either held at Charlton Park Academy, or in a central London location. Please see below for upcoming training.
Sam Brydon, Speech and Language Therapist
Coaching for Communication Partners 2-Day Workshop
Using the “Empowering Parents for AAC” Approach
A two day workshop for professionals who support children to use AAC
Date: Thursday 11th & Friday 12th June 2026
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Location: CENMAC Training Hub, Charlton Park Academy, Charlton Park Rd, SE7 8HX
Cost: £50.00 (per person)
To register email: newsandevents@cenmac.com with Subject “Coaching for Communication Partners”
About the training
Coaching for Communication Partners is a 2-day professional development workshop that is grounded in current AAC research. It provides professionals working in the field of AAC a framework for coaching communication partners (including parents, family, and educators) in how to use supportive AAC strategies. The workshop combines information sharing, demonstration, videos, group discussions, and multiple opportunities to practice the coaching skills. Participants will leave with a framework for coaching communication partners, as well as a set of instructional resources.
Day 1 – Shares evidence-based strategies that have been shown to help children develop their communication skills using AAC, and how to break these down into achievable goals.
Day 2 – Introduces a coaching model that can be used with the communication partners of children who use AAC.
Why is the implementation of AAC often unsuccessful for children?
The strategies needed to support children to use AAC are complex and need to be used with skill and nuance. We know that communication partners, such as parents, family, and educators play a key role in helping to make AAC successful, but they are often not provided with adequate
support. One-off training is not enough! Communication partners benefit from a coaching approach to learn these complex skills and apply them successfully.
Coaching for Communication Partners is presented by Sam Brydon. It was designed in collaboration with: Associate Professor Tara McLaughlin, and Dr Elizabeth Doell, Massey University, New Zealand, and uses a coaching model that was developed in partnership with Practice Based Coaching Aotearoa.
About the Presenter
Sam Brydon is a Speech Language Therapist with over 20 years of experience in both the UK and New Zealand and a passion for AAC. Sam completed doctoral research in 2023, which focused on providing support to parents through a training and coaching programme called “Empowering Parents for AAC” (EP-AAC). Sam is also the New Zealand trainer for LAMP Words for Life.
Testimonials
“I would highly recommend this workshop, which I think would be beneficial for ALL SLTs. It is jam packed with AAC gems, unpacks what coaching is all about and its relevance to our everyday mahi*.”
“I highly recommend Sam’s Coaching Communication Partners workshop. It’s been really comprehensive and so valuable. It’s given me a chance to reflect on why AAC implementation may not have been as successful in the past, and most importantly, what I can do going forward to support. I found the real-life examples and practical implementation so helpful, and I’ve come away with lots of ideas and areas to focus on!”
*”Mahi” is a Māori word and means work, activity or occupation.
Prefer online training?
We also offer online training sessions. Take a look at our Thursday Thirty Online Training & Information sessions.