Name: From Support to Partnership: SLPs as Collaborative Co-Teachers
Start: 2026-11-06T08:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-06T09:45:00-0500

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.
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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

From Support to Partnership: SLPs as Collaborative Co-Teachers

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Speech-language pathologists are increasingly called to move beyond pull-out service delivery and consultation models toward meaningful, embedded collaboration in classroom environments. This presentation will explore how SLPs can shift from a role of “supporting” instruction from the outside to becoming true instructional partners through collaborative co-teaching. With a focus on AAC users and students with complex communication needs, participants will examine practical ways to integrate communication supports into daily classroom routines, academic instruction, and peer interactions.

This session will highlight how co-teaching allows SLPs and educators to share responsibility for student access, participation, and communication growth. Rather than viewing AAC as a tool used only during speech sessions or isolated activities, participants will learn how AAC can become part of the classroom culture through modeling, shared planning, environmental supports, and intentional opportunities for authentic communication. The presentation will include examples of collaborative planning, classroom-based language targets, aided language input, and strategies for supporting both educators and students during instruction.

Participants will also consider common barriers to collaboration, including scheduling, role confusion, limited AAC confidence, and differing expectations between professionals. Practical solutions will be shared to help teams build trust, define roles, and create sustainable systems for co-teaching. Emphasis will be placed on strengths-based collaboration, shared problem-solving, and honoring the expertise of both SLPs and classroom educators.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with concrete strategies for developing effective co-teaching partnerships, embedding AAC across the school day, and increasing meaningful communication opportunities for students. This presentation is designed for SLPs, educators, and related service providers who want to move from service delivery that happens near the classroom to communication support that is fully integrated within it.

Presenters

Carolyn McCoy, M.A., CCC/SLP, BCBA

SLP, Northshore School District

Carolyn McCoy is an Speech Language Pathologist in the Northshore School District in Suburban King County, WA. Working at Ruby Bridges Elementary School, a model site for inclusive practices within Washington State, has capped a career that includes experience in a co-teaching classroom... Read More →

Nicole (Nicki) Case, M.A., CCC/SLP

SLP, Northshore School District

Nicole (Nicki) Case is an elementary SLP in the Northshore School District. She has expertise in AAC, inclusive practices and supporting students with complex communication needs in the general education setting. Nicole has experience across school and clinical settings, creating... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST
Big Ten C

General Session

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#TalkingAAC 2026

Carolyn McCoy, M.A., CCC/SLP, BCBA

Nicole (Nicki) Case, M.A., CCC/SLP

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Success you have shared X tickets.

#TalkingAAC 2026

Carolyn McCoy, M.A., CCC/SLP, BCBA

Nicole (Nicki) Case, M.A., CCC/SLP

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