Evaluating My Turn to Speak, an in‐service training programme for schools

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of in‐service training for adults working with students using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, given as part of a new training package My Turn to Speak. Teachers, classroom assistants and therapists attended training workshops led by the specialist team who developed the package. For the evaluation, staff attending the workshop were paired with staff who did not attend. All staff were video‐taped interacting with target children who used AAC, before and at two points after training. Ratings of adults’ interaction with the target children showed significant positive change in the ways in which participants facilitated target children's communication following training, and none for controls. Outcomes for target children, participants and schools are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
• in‐service training
• interdisciplinary approach
• children
• service delivery
• education