Name: Prioritizing 'Possible' Over 'Perfection': A Real-World, Team-Based Approach to AAC Implementation Planning
Start: 2026-11-05T13:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-05T14:45:00-0500

Act now! We reach capacity and sell out every year. Registration closes Wednesday, October 28, 2026 — or sooner if capacity is reached.

Ticket Options

#TalkingAAC: Pre-Conference Workshop
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 PM
Kellogg Center, East Lansing, MI
- Choose one 4-hour workshop
- Cost: $100
- Full details click here
#TalkingAAC: Two-Day Conference
Thursday & Friday, November 5-6, 2026
- Build your schedule for this two-day event
- Cost: $300
- Price includes breakfast, lunch, & parking
- Full details click here

NOTE: To attend all 3 days, you must purchase both a Pre-Conference Workshop ticket and a Two-Day Conference ticket.

Registration & Session Planning

All registration and session planning will be handled via Sched:

Click the green Log In or Sign Up button below to access Sched.
Then proceed to purchase your ticket(s).
After you’ve purchased your ticket(s), you can plan which sessions you’d like to attend.
New to using the Sched app? To take a tour click here
Need to update your app to this year’s conference? In the Sched app, go to My Account > Change Events> type in the name of the event #TalkingAAC 2026
A new Guest Buyer option lets you purchase tickets for others without creating a SCHED account. Once ticket(s) are selected, choose Continue as Guest.

Ticket Purchase - Error Message

If you receive an error message when purchasing your ticket, please contact TalkingAAC at [email protected] or 517-299-5200 for assistance.

⚠️ Please do not attempt to purchase again, as this may result in duplicate tickets.

Refunds & Ticket Transfers

Refunds available up to 10 days before the event. Sched & Stripe fees are non-refundable.
Ticket transfers (e.g., to a coworker) may be approved before October 28, 2026.

Stay Informed

Watch for updates from #TalkingAAC and Sched with session details and reminders as the event approaches.

Questions?

www.talkingaac.org

[email protected]

517-299-5200

Prioritizing 'Possible' Over 'Perfection': A Real-World, Team-Based Approach to AAC Implementation Planning

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

In the real world of complicated systems, staffing shortages, and high-needs classrooms, the expectation of all-day modeling and seamless integration often feels like an impossible weight. When the gap between "what should be" and "what can be" becomes too wide, implementation doesn't just slow down—it stops. This session describes how one county is striving to meet teachers, families, and SLPs where they are, bridging the divide between clinical ideals and classroom reality.

Participants will learn a specific, team-based framework designed to shift open-ended, overwhelming "all-day" expectations toward high-fidelity, intentional implementation. Focusing on teamwork, the goal is to encourage and develop spaces that prioritize 'possible' over 'perfect.' Rooted in positive, open communication and comfortable problem-solving, the goal is not to create more work, but to better support teams and personalize the AAC teaching process for any given student and environment.

We will discuss how to identify the "possible" windows for communication. By beginning with two specific routines, interdisciplinary teams can move from a "Go Do This" mentality to a "Stumble Together" partnership. We will explore how to balance staff and classroom needs while also planning for positive student impact by identifying simple, actionable steps that any team member can execute with confidence.

This topic is deeply relevant and impactful because it addresses the systemic barriers that prevent consistent AAC use. For educators and therapists, it provides a sustainable workflow that prevents burnout. For family members and communication partners, it offers a clear, non-intimidating entry point into supporting a new AAC user. Most importantly, for the individual who uses AAC, this framework strives to ensure that communication isn’t a special event or a particular lesson, but a strong foundation built through reliable routines that can grow and adjust over time.

Attendees will leave with a practical set of visuals, documents, and resources to bridge the “clinical ideal” to “classroom reality” divide. In addition, participants will walk away with a renewed sense of permission to focus on the quiet, consistent routines that build a foundation for long-term communication, prioritizing what actually works over what is "perfect”.

Presenters

Megan Makowski, MS, CCC-SLP

AAC Consultant, Livingston Educational Service Agency

Megan Makowski, MS, CCC-SLP, is an AAC Consultant with the Livingston Educational Service Agency. Within the public school setting, she empowers teams to move beyond basic AAC selection and into sustainable implementation through collaborative problem-solving. She specializes in supporting... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Red Cedar

General Session

Tickets

Success you have shared X tickets.

#TalkingAAC 2026

Megan Makowski, MS, CCC-SLP

Get help with the event

Choose your checkout method

Success you have shared X tickets.

#TalkingAAC 2026

Megan Makowski, MS, CCC-SLP

Sign up or log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event