Name: Using Strategies From the Enhancing Peer Networks Project to Promote Peer Engagement for Students Who use AAC
Start: 2026-11-05T12:00:00-0500
End: 2026-11-05T13:15:00-0500

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:

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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
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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.

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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

Using Strategies From the Enhancing Peer Networks Project to Promote Peer Engagement for Students Who use AAC

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Peer engagement and relationships are at the heart of what it means to be included and belong, and they also shape children’s development and learning in many important ways. Yet, students with disabilities who use or would benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) often face significant challenges to developing authentic friendships and engaging meaningfully with their peers. This breakout offers practical, evidence-based strategies to foster interactions and relationships among students who use AAC and their peers. Importantly, this session offers a condensed version of the same content shared during the pre-conference half-day workshop.

Through video models and access to ready-to-use resources, attendees will learn how to promote social communication skills and meaningful engagement with peers for students who use or would benefit from AAC. Content and resources come primarily from the Enhancing Peer Networks Project, a multi-year research initiative that has focused on improving social communication skills and promoting authentic peer relationships for elementary-aged students with autism who are minimally speaking. We partnered with over 20 school teams and their students to implement a multi-component intervention consisting of storybook lessons on friendship and inclusion, a play-based peer network group, and integrated AAC support. Across the project, we have watched students build social communication skills and experience positive interactions, engagement, and relationships with their peers without disabilities.

This session will share actionable, research-based strategies from the Enhancing Peer Networks Project to help educators, families, and other professionals build students’ social communication skills through genuine peer relationships, rather than isolated interventions.

Presenters

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Dr. Elizabeth Biggs is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, and speaker with over 15 years of experience working with children and youth with disabilities who use or would benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). An Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Big Ten C

General Session

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#TalkingAAC 2026

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD

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#TalkingAAC 2026

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD

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