PODD© Communication System Introductory Training
About this course
This is a face-to-face course at Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre, Yarnfield, Stone ST15 0NL.
PODD sits perfectly alongside other systems for communication support like Makaton and PECS. This is particularly useful where an ‘all the time’ quality standard for communication support is pursued to create communication-friendly environments.
The system is an immersive language approach where the focus is on natural language stimulation. Visual referencing is modelled alongside verbal communication. The adult language partner points to symbols for keywords while speaking; the child sees and experiences a wide range of communicative functions.
The pages of PODD books contain vocabulary predictably associated with a topic. This is different to the more traditional approach of organising vocabulary into collections such as people, animals, food etc. There is a structured way of navigating between pages resulting in efficiency and involvement. The primary aim is for the child to be socially valued and engaged at whatever level they can participate.
Today, PODD is a popular and effective tool for autistic children because of its structured and visual system. Books are created in a range of different formats depending on the sensory, physical and communication needs of the user.
This course will help you if you are:
- Working with children and young people who are learning to communicate using symbols, pictographs, or written words
- Frequently frustrated when conventional set-ups are difficult to navigate or inefficient and you want to achieve maximum possible speed, efficiency, and effectiveness
- Looking for resources to customise to meet individual needs
- Seeking training from a licensed trainer who has been trained by Gayle Porter, and is delivering the fully approved version of this training
- Creating fully inclusive environments for communication
Course pricing
| Book and pay online | Organisational payment | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Price Per Person | £297 | £324.50 |
Please book your place here or alternatively, you can contact us if you are you would like to:
- Book four or more courses (we can offer you a discount)
- Make a block booking for a group
- Book a closed course
Course presenter
Natalie Fitzpatrick
Specialist Complex Needs Teacher
Natalie Fitzpatrick is a Teacher in a school for students with complex needs in County Durham. She is a trained conductor and has worked with children with complex physical, learning and communication needs for over 15 years.
Natalie has worked closely with Gayle Porter to implement the PODD system in Perth, Australia, which is where she was first introduced to PODD back in 2006. She has delivered AAC training to parents, staff and professionals at both national and international educational conferences.
Natalie Fitzpatrick gained the PODD presenter certification process with Gayle Porter, co-presenting with her in Perth Western Australia. She is one of the four UK-based PODD trainers.
Course topics
During this course we will cover:
- The challenge, aided language development
- Development and general features of PODDs
- Features of PODD communication books
- Selecting and customising PODD templates
- Access methodologies
- Creating an aided language learning environment
- Providing receptive input
- Providing opportunities for expressive communication
- Scaffolding interactions
- Developing operational skills
- Communication partner learning
- Where to begin – where to go from here
Who this course is suitable for
This course is suitable for: Returners to Speech and Language Therapy, Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs), Teachers
This course is ideal for Speech and Language Therapists and teachers who work with children and young people who use pictures and symbols to support communication, but anyone is welcome to attend.
Booking information
This course is available on various dates throughout the year. To view available course dates and book your place click here.
During the booking process, you can select to reserve a place instead (while you confirm you can attend or to organise payment through your employer for example). We can hold your place for up to four weeks, if we have not heard from you after this time, we may need to cancel your reservation so other people can attend the training.
This is a face-to-face course. Courses are available to attend at either The Durham Centre, Belmont Industrial Estate, Durham DH1 1TN or Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre, Yarnfield, Stone ST15 0NL
Accommodation may be booked on-site at Yarnfield only via our special PODD Delegate Deal – Dinner Bed and Breakfast @ £85 per person/ night
Click Here to book Accommodation for the Yarnfield course
Course Beetle is an approved supplier for NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Schools.
Course testimonials
“The presenter was so knowledgeable and approachable. PODD is a great form of AAC that fits perfectly with my children and young people. The training was really informal but professional. I found it useful to have lots of PODDs to look at and play around with. The case studies were great for support in choosing correct page sets.”
“The course was very well presented. The whole idea and concept of the PODD is inspiring and as a team we found it food for thought in how we as a service and in particular the settings the children attend view communication. We were given lots of tips as to how to draw analogies to put across that communication is something that is happening all the time.