Play. Chat. Learn: Building AAC Skills During Early Elementary Routines
Play and shared reading are powerful contexts for language learning during the early elementary years—especially for students who use AAC. This session explores how structured play and interactive book reading can support vocabulary growth, narrative development, and functional communication. Participants will examine practical ways to embed AAC strategies into daily classroom routines through inclusive play, shared reading, and instructional planning. Using case examples, videos, play scripts, and lesson-planning tools, the session highlights how intentional supports can create environments where all students actively engage, express themselves, and learn.
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What You'll Learn
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
LEARNING LEVEL
PRESENTED BY
Stephanie Ekis, MS CCC-SLP
Dynamic Therapy Associates
Stephanie has provided assessment and treatment for individuals with complex communication needs for over 30 years. With a specialty in AAC, she is committed to helping support teams and families successfully implement practical strategies to encourage language, literacy, and social skills development using both low and high-tech solutions. Stephanie works for Dynamic Therapy Associates, owns Interact Therapy LLC, a boutique private speech therapy practice, and is an adjunct instructor at Miami University of Ohio.
Vicki Clarke, MS CCC-SLP
Dynamic Therapy Associates
Vicki Clarke is the CEO of Dynamic Therapy Associates, Inc., and Director of DTA Schools, which provides individual student, classroom, and district-wide AAC services for consultation, assessment, training, materials development, and equipment procurement in school districts. Additional professional activities include professional consultation and training through publications, workshops, and presentations at local, state, and national conferences in the areas of AAC, speech language pathology, special educatio,n and Autism.
THE SCOOP
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 10:30 -11:20 AM Pacific Time
Access to this live session is free during the 2026 Live AAC Early Starts Conference. Attendees can watch recordings and obtain continuing education credits with paid enrollment or an All Access Membership.
You can watch this conference session live for free. Continuing education credit is available with paid enrollment in this course or an active All Access Membership. Members and paid enrollees get access to the recording and continuing education quiz + certificate for this session.
Save as a Member: All Access Members get FREE access to certificates and session recordings for the entire conference (+ our staple course library of over 80 online courses) with their paid membership.
Save as a Member: All Access Members get FREE access to certificates and session recordings for the entire conference (+ our staple course library of over 80 online courses) with their paid membership.
You can watch this conference session live for free. Continuing education credit via PDH is available with paid enrollment in this course or an active All Access Membership. Members and paid enrollees get access to the recording and continuing education quiz + certificate for this session.
Save as a Member: All Access Members get FREE access to certificates and session recordings for the entire conference (+ our staple course library of over 80 online courses) with their paid membership.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
This session offers a total of
1 certification maintenance hour (CMH)
1 certification maintenance hour (CMH)
Learn more about CMH/PDH (versus CEU's or continuing education units) on your course syllabus and on our CEU Page. All learners are encouraged to confirm that this course meets the requirements of their licensing board before purchasing.
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Start Here
find GREAT RESOURCES INSIDE OUR
Virtual Exhibit Hall
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Learn about Grid AAC by Smartbox
Smartbox creates software and devices to support a wide range of complex needs. We are passionate about helping people succeed on their journey with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Our technology exists to give people a voice and independence, so they can build meaningful connections and achieve their ambitions. We are building a world where no one is left without a voice.
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Learn About DTA Schools by DTA
DTA Schools brings AAC and special education expertise straight to your district—classroom resources, training, and coaching included! Our membership hubs offer 1,000s of materials plus 100+ AAC learning modules your team can use right away. We support teachers and students in person and nationwide through telepractice.
The AAC Shop
Discover downloadable tools and AAC-inspired merch designed to raise awareness, spark connection, and support parents and professionals helping AAC learners find their voice. Even better, every purchase supports AACcessible’s mission to make communication possible for all.
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Play for Every Body
The theme for #AACES2026 is "Play for Every Body." Play is the heartbeat of childhood — but for many children with disabilities, play isn’t always accessible. Our Play for Every Body campaign is about opening doors: adapting environments, rethinking routines, and equipping families and professionals with practical strategies. When we say Play for Every Body, we mean every child, every ability, every body.