AAC professionals peer support group: ask me anything

Hosted by Jenn Winstone

 

Meeting overview 

The AGOSCI AAC professionals peer support group is designed to bring like-minded professionals together for peer support and connection. We aim to reduce isolation and encourage a network for people working in the field of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). 

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, there’s always a fresh perspective to explore.

These sessions are FREE for members to attend. 

AGOSCI will host and facilitate meeting discussions, with an opportunity for group members to explore topics of interest together and build a network of peer support.

Sessions will follow two formats:

1. Guest speaker "ask me anything sessions" – ask the AAC professional guest speaker questions and share your own experiences with the group. 
2. Research round up – we invite AAC professionals to share and receive updated insights into what's happening in recent research at home and abroad.   

The AAC professionals peer support group was previously known as the Early careers peer support group for health professionals. 

 

Target audience

AGOSCI encourages any members who are AAC professionals to attend.

AAC professionals may be involved in the assessment of communication needs, recommendation of appropriate tools, and training and supporting individuals, families, and support teams in how to use them effectively e.g. speech pathologists, occupational therapists, special education teachers, assistive technology specialists, allied health assistants and special education teachers.

This is a member-only event. 

Meeting topic  

Guest speaker "ask me anything" session.

You can share your own experiences, or ask questions to the AAC professional leading our discussion. Questions can be submitted ahead of time or online at the live session. We welcome all styles of engagement during the session. 

 

Meeting details 

• This session will be held LIVE online via zoom, for up to 1 hour
• This session will NOT be recorded 
• Participants are invited to keep their camera on and participate in group discussions
• Participants are welcome to ask questions ahead of time (in the registration form) and during the live session, via zoom chat or verbally

• AGOSCI recognises that everyone processes and engages with information differently, so please feel free to take a break when you need one, however that might look like for you. 

 

Meeting date 

Monday 31 August 2026

 

Meeting start time

VIC / NSW / ACT / TAS / QLD: 7pm

SA / NT: 6:30pm

WA: 5pm

 

Host

Jennifer Winstone is a speech therapist with extensive experience in inclusive education and disability support. She has worked in transdisciplinary teams supporting autistic people and those with intersecting intellectual disability and mental health needs. Jennifer also lectures medical students on communication and disability. As co-founder of MyComms, she brings her expertise in communication accessibility, executive functioning and complex communication to the design of innovative digital supports that are evidence-based, practical and person-centred. Jennifer has also been newly appointed as an AGOSCI director. 

 

Guest speaker

Janelle Sampson is a certified practising speech pathologist and has worked for over 35 years in both Australia and Canada, predominantly with a focus on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In 2011, she founded Two Way Street, an innovative practice in Adelaide focusing solely on AAC. She has years of practical experience providing workshops, consultation, individual home and school-based intervention, and various other programs and projects. She has worked extensively alongside schools and other organisations to support children and adults with complex communication needs of all diagnoses. Janelle is the creator of the ROCC (Roadmap of Communicative Competence) Assessment and a certified PODD presenter. She provides regular consultations and varied workshops around Australia. 

 

Disclosure

AGOSCI is grateful to Jennifer for hosting this AAC professionals peer support group and to Janelle for being AGOSCI's guest speaker. 

Jennifer is an AGOSCI director. 

In hosting these peer support meetings, AGOSCI will not provide clinical advice or make clinical recommendations. The purpose of this group is peer connection and support primarily. Opinions and ideas shared by group members at these meetings represent their own views, and do not necessarily represent AGOSCI. Where group members have complex or specific clinical support needs, AGOSCI recommends seeking supervision through appropriate professional and workplace channels. 

AGOSCI is an independent body and does not endorse individual expertise, products or brands over others.

AGOSCI acknowledges the presence and contributions of all suppliers and expertise in the Australian and International communities of AAC and diverse communication.

 

Waitlist

Waitlist registrations will be taken upon all positions being filled. Please email education@agosci.org.au to be added to the waitlist.