PRAGMATIC ORGANIZATION DYNAMIC DISPLAY

(PODD) INTRODUCTORY

2 DAY WORKSHOP Presented By:

Melissa Riepsamen (Speech Pathologist) from CPEC, Melbourne, Australia and Laura Taylor, Education Consultant from Charlevoix, Michigan with Step By Step Early Intervention Society, Calgary Alberta

WORKSHOP INFO

Location:

The long term aim for all children is to:

“Be able to say what I want to say, to whoever I want to say it to, whenever I want to say it.”

Gayle Porter – PODD Creator

Registration link available at

www.StepByStepEIP.ca/training

Phone: (587) 893 – 7429

Email: info@StepByStepEIP.ca

Mon Aug 24th & Tues 25th 2015 9.00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About the Course This PODD Introductory Workshop teaches theory and

practice related to the development and implementation of

PODD communication books. PODD communication books

can assist people with significant communication challenges

to support their understanding of language and their use of

expressive language. PODD is a tool providing organized

vocabulary that enables users to communicate

spontaneous and unpredicted messages. PODD

communication books are designed for varying language,

communication, sensory and physical access needs.

This workshop is for speech pathologists, teachers, parents

and professionals specialising in Augmentative and

Alternative Communication.

Early Bird: $400 + GST + Service Fees

Regular: $450 + GST + Service Fees

Cost:

Dates:

Ambrose University

150 Ambrose Circle SW

Calgary AB

Workshop Objectives • Creative and practical solutions through videos and case examples.

• Hands on supported practice using PODD communication books.

• Ways to use PODD communication books for initial language learning.

• Ways to customize PODD generic templates to suit individual needs.

• Ways to enable genuine communication in all daily environments.

Learner Outcomes • Discuss the evidence base for using aided language stimulation interventions.

• Describe the features of effective aided language learning.

• Evaluate how different AAC interventions and types of communication aides support children’s

development of autonomous communication.

• Discuss the features of PODD communication systems in terms of vocabulary organization, layout, design,

range of access strategies and customizing for individual requirements.

• Use PODD generic template resources to produce customized communication books.

• Discuss the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems with students

and team members.

• Use PODD communication books to express frequently used messages.

About the Presenters

With the support of The Calgary Foundation &

Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta

PRAGMATIC ORGANIZATION DYNAMIC DISPLAY (PODD) INTRODUCTORY 2 DAY WORKSHOP

Melissa Riepsamen (B. Speech Pathology Hons.) is a Speech Language Pathologist who works for the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) in Melbourne, Australia and she is a certified PODD presenter. She is a team leader in a trans disciplinary, family centered early childhood team in a

dynamic ‘active teaching - active learning’ model at CPEC. This is the center where Gayle Porter created and developed the PODD communication system. Melissa also has a private practice working with clients with complex communication needs - from preschool children through to adulthood. She has more than 10 years experience implementing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in the home, early childhood and school environments. She has worked extensively with people with motor impairments and sensory processing challenges as well as children with hearing and/or vision impairments.

Melissa has experience implementing the Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) system across a wide range of different service delivery models and includes customizing PODD communication books and page sets for speech generating devices to accommodate for individual requirements.

Laura Taylor is an educational consultant with Taylor Educational Consultants, specializing in accessible environments and PODD communication. Laura has been an early childhood special education teacher and assistive

1

technology consultant for over 30 years. While teaching, Laura worked closely with families and teams to support the learning of her students both at school and at home. Laura is passionate about given children a voice! She completed certification to be a PODD trainer in the fall of 2014 and has conducted introductory trainings throughout the State of Michigan and California. She has conducted presentations throughout the United States at local, state and international conferences on low-tech strategies to support learning, considering the educational environment for all learners, and PODD. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Michigan State University and two Master of Arts Degrees from Grand Valley State University.

2