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Please REGISTER TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST! 
ATANZ is hoping to organise

2026

2-Day Introductory PODD Workshop

This workshop will be of interest to speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, teachers and family members of children who have complex communication needs.

This workshop will assist participants to understand the theory and practice related to PODD communication systems. It will provide information about the evidence base for aided language stimulation, and strategies to assist language learning for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

The 2-day introductory workshop provides theory, video case examples and supported practice, so participants can develop their confidence in understanding and using PODD communication systems.

Presented by Dr Sam Brydon

Presented by Helen Bayldon,
Speech-Language Therapist

Dates: To be confirmed, 

Planned for second half of 2026, if sufficient expressions of interest are received; Otherwise scheduled for 2027

Location(s): To be confirmed

Likely Auckland if the workshop runs in 2026

Times:

Day 1,  9:30am - 5:30 pm 
Day 2, 9:00am - 5:00 pm                                                                     

About this event: 

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the challenges faced by professionals creating communication systems in terms of vocabulary organisation, layout, design, range of access strategies and customising for individual requirements.
  • Reflect on and evaluate strategies for teaching communication skills.
  • Discuss the features of a PODD communication system in terms of vocabulary organisation, layout, design, range of access strategies and customising for individual requirements.
  • Use PODD generic direct access template resources to begin the process of dynamic assessment and to produce customised communication books.
  • Discuss the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems with students and team members.
  • Teach people with complex communication needs and their communication partners to use PODD communication books in everyday environments, so communication happens across the day, anywhere and at any time.

About the presenter:

Helen Bayldon is a speech-language therapist who is passionate about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and literacy for individuals who do not use speech to meet all their communication requirements. She is an accredited PODD Presenter. Helen has worked across medical rehabilitation, specialist schools and private practice for more than 25 years as well as lecturing in AAC and emergent literacy. Helen gained her Masters in Speech Language Therapy after completing research on literacy intervention with children with complex physical, cognitive and sensory needs who use alternative access to AAC. She is a former Board Member of ATANZ. She currently provides professional supervision, runs a specialist mentoring group, and consults in the areas of AAC and emergent literacy.

Minimum numbers:

Events require a minimum of participants to proceed. This registration will just hold a spot for you if and when the course will open. By then you will receive an email from us that will confirm the starting date and that gives you first priority to secure your spot before a certain date. An official go ahead of the actual event will be confirmed at the latest two weeks before the start date of the event. You can find our full cancellation and refunds policy here.

Who can attend?

This workshop will be of interest to speech- language therapists, occupational therapists, teachers or family members of children who have complex communication needs

Cost 2026 workshop:

  • To be confirmed
  • No payment required yet as you are not registered yet. You are only expressing your interest for this event

As an indication, 2025 ticket prices sat at:

  • $475.00 for ATANZ members
  • $580.00 for Non-members (remember ATANZ membership is $110)
  • $250.00 for Whānau/family members (limited numbers)

 

Expression of Interest for this 2- day workshop close 30 April 2026
Places for the actual event will be capped at 25 participants!

 

Please note that there is an opportunity to apply for our Whānau Professional Development and Learning Grant and ATANZ Professional Development Grant when you register.


Please check out all our Upcoming 2026 events on our events website page 

Questions: 

Please contact us with any further questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.