Autism Center for Education

10/22/2026

Building strong communication skills starts with supporting autonomy!
Here are 𝟱 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 to keep in mind:
1️⃣ 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: While teaching AAC, remember that gestures, vocalizations, facial expressions, and signs are all valid communication methods, and should be acknowledged alongside AAC device use.
2️⃣ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Communication should feel meaningful and fun, not like a quiz.
3️⃣ 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Show language in natural contexts without requiring a mandatory answer.
4️⃣𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁-𝘁𝗼-𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Give learners space to communicate independently before stepping in with extra cues. Check out the AAC Prompting Hierarchy!
5️⃣𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲: Give ample wait time and remember that deciding not to answer is valid, too!

📌Save this post to keep these AAC strategies top of mind!

𝗔𝗔𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝘆:https://vcuautismcenter.org/documents/communicationandsocialskills/AAC_Prompting_and_Wait_Time.pdf
_______________________________
The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

10/22/2026

💫𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀! ACE joined some of our state partners at the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education (VCASE) conference this week.

“We had such a great time at VCASE this week! We always appreciate the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, share best practices, and discuss new ideas.
One of the highlights of the event was hearing from a school partner who expressed, with tears in their eyes, how our partnership has contributed to meaningful and lasting change within their school division. Moments like these reinforce the importance of the work we do together.” - Jennifer McDonough
Director, VCU-RRTC-ACE

10/18/2026

Join our quarterly virtual sessions created for families and caregivers of autistic students. Discover strategies and resources, share stories, and build community as we support every student's journey from school to adulthood.

🔗Register for FREE to get the link to join! https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/webcasts/series/stronger.cfm

_______________________________
The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

10/12/2026

Are you stuck on requesting with your AAC users? 📱✨

Authentic communication is so much bigger than just asking for snacks or toys! Supporting true autonomy means teaching the full range of communicative functions:
💬 Commenting ("Cool!", "I don't like it")
❓ Asking questions ("Where?", "Why?")
🙅 Refusal & negation ("No", "Stop")
👋 Social connection ("Hi", "Look!")

Check out and download The Communication Compass to guide your practice this week! 🧭 https://vcuautismcenter.org/resources/communication.cfm

10/07/2026

Check out the Learning Path from ACE on Systematic Instruction for more information: https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/learningpaths.cfm
_______________________________
The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

10/05/2026

Every student deserves to be heard. 🗣️💙
October is AAC Awareness Month, making it a great time to review and elevate your communication practices.

Join VCU-RRTC-ACE all month long as we share strategies and resources to help you foster inclusive communication for ALL learners!

💡 Tap the link in our bio to start learning
https://vcuautismcenter.org/resources/communication.cfm

09/23/2026

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Paraprofessionals are the essential "boots on the ground" who help schools run smoothly and support students and staff every day! Join ACE for 4 sessions dedicated to para's who support teachers working with students with autism:
1️⃣October 14, 2026
2️⃣November 18, 2026
3️⃣January 27, 2027
4️⃣March 10, 2027

🔗𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/webcasts/series/parapro.cfm
📰𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗲𝗿:https://vcuautismcenter.org/documents/ParaPro_Online_Community_Flyer_20262027.pdf

09/08/2026

Check out the Learning Path from ACE on Reinforcement for more information: https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/learningpaths.cfm
_______________________________
The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

09/02/2026

Check out the Learning Path from ACE on Antecendent-Based Intervention for more information: https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/learningpaths.cfm
_______________________________
The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

08/25/2026