About this resource
Partners learn best by seeing and doing. This session plan structures training around one or two strategies: explaining why, demonstrating, practising with feedback, planning where to use the strategy and checking in later.
Purpose
To plan practical, effective communication partner training.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Speech pathologists. Also relevant for disability support workers, educators and school support staff.
Client or participant group: Speech pathologists training communication partners.
Practice setting: Homes, schools, day programs and supported living.
Suggested uses
- Family training
- Support worker training
- Educator coaching
- AAC implementation
Instructions for practitioners
- Choose one or two strategies only.
- Demonstrate with the actual person where possible.
- Give specific, positive feedback during practice.
- Follow up to see how it is going.
Accessibility considerations
Use video examples, interpreters and handouts in plain language.
Scope and limitations
A session planning template.
Research basis
Training communication partners improves communication for people who use AAC and people with aphasia. Clinical supervision and structured reflection support learning, safe practice and professional development.
- Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic. https://thoughtsmostlyaboutlearning.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/learning-by-doing-graham-gibbs.pdf
- Kent-Walsh, J., Murza, K. A., Malani, M. D., & Binger, C. (2015). Effects of Communication Partner Instruction on the Communication of Individuals using AAC: A Meta-Analysis. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 31(4), 271–284. https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2015.1052153
- Milne, D. (2007). An empirical definition of clinical supervision. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 46(4), 437–447. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466507x197415
- Simmons-Mackie, N., Raymer, A., & Cherney, L. R. (2016). Communication Partner Training in Aphasia: An Updated Systematic Review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 97(12), 2202–2221.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2016.03.023
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
