AAC and Me, Specialist AAC Support

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AAC and Me, Specialist AAC Support

AAC & Me provides specialist AAC teaching, training and assessment. Person-centred support that turns everyday moments into communication successes.

We help AAC users of all ages communicate confidently at school, at home and in care settings. Hi, I’m Tom – a specialist teacher and AAC consultant based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. I set up AAC and Me to support children with complex communication needs in a way that’s practical, personalised and rooted in everyday life. With a background in teaching and a deep understanding of AAC, I’ve spent years working in schools and homes across Yorkshire, helping children build the skills and confidence they need to communicate.

11/10/2026

It is now October, and almost everyone I speak to mentions how exceptionally busy their September has been. It has been a while since I last wrote a blog post, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the often hidden side of assistive technology support: the continuous need to re-invest in and support the people surrounding every AAC user.

The device is only part of the picture. When classes, staff and routines change each September, the people around an AAC user need support too. This post looks at why that matters and how to plan for it.

Read it here: https://aacandme.co.uk/september-re-investing-in-the-aac-support-network/

08/10/2026

If play is so important for every child's development, it is just as important for the child who uses AAC.

Play builds thinking, ideas, emotional wellbeing and communication. None of that stops being true because a child communicates differently, or because play takes more effort to reach.

So this is my ask. Keep planning for play. Not as a reward, a break or something to fit in once the "real" work is done, but as a deliberate part of your practice, with a clear purpose.

And ask one question: what is stopping this child from accessing play, and what can I change?

Not "are they ready?" Not "can they do it yet?" Change the access, not the play.

Where could you build in more play this week?

07/10/2026

Why don't skeletons go to Halloween parties? They have no body to go with. 💀

Unlike this scary lot! On Saturday at Northallerton Communication Club we made masks inspired by Día de los Mu***os, the Mexican Day of the Dead. The colour, creativity and spooky poses were brilliant, and everyone found their own way to join in and share ideas.

Come and join us next time:
📅 Saturday 7th November
🕙 10am to 12pm
📍 Goosecroft Centre, Northallerton

Message us or email [email protected] for details.

06/10/2026

A lovely message from a parent after today's AAC drop-in 💛

It's so good to support families who are just starting out at home. Often they simply want to know they're doing everything right, and sometimes that's the most useful thing we can say. There are plenty of great resources already out there, and the drop-in helps point you towards the ones that suit you and your child.

The next drop-in is Friday 6th November, and it's now online so more families can join from wherever they are.

Sessions are up to 45 minutes. Bring any question within AAC or assistive technology, big or small.

Find out more at aacandme.co.uk

02/10/2026

📣 Communication Club is back this Saturday!

🗓 Saturday 3rd October
⏰ 10am to 12pm
📍 Goosecroft Centre, Northallerton
👥 Ages 14+
💷 Free

A relaxed, friendly morning for teenage and adult AAC users, plus the family, friends and supporters who come with them. Come along to chat, play games, share ideas and meet other people who communicate in lots of different ways.

Every way of communicating is welcome here: talkers, symbol boards, signing, gestures, pointing, looking, or just coming along to watch. No pressure, no expectations, just connection and fun.

It also falls right at the start of International AAC Awareness Month, so there's no better time to pop in for the first time.

No need to book, just turn up. If you'd like to know more first, send us a message.

We'd love to see you there 💛

30/09/2026

Not sure what to ask at an AAC drop-in? You're not alone.

Maybe you're just starting out. Maybe there's a device at home gathering dust. Maybe you're wondering whether a switch, eye gaze or other assistive technology could help. Every one of those is a good reason to join me.

📅 Friday 2 October
🕘 9am to 12pm
💻 Online, so join from wherever you are

AAC and assistive technology support, all in one place. There's just one place left. To book it, email [email protected]

It's a great way to start International AAC Awareness Month. 💬

29/09/2026

An amazing session at Ryedale Communication Club last week! 💛

It was wonderful to see the children arrive and settle into their surroundings so quickly this time. So many great interactions, and some brilliant AAC being put into practice through books, play and lots of shared fun.

Our next session is on Friday 23rd October, 10am to 11am, at Ryedale Special Families in Pickering. We still have a space available, so if you're interested in our clubs, please get in touch.

We'd also love to hear from anyone who would like to support what we are doing, in any shape or form.

Together we communicate. 💬

27/09/2026

"In play, a child always behaves beyond their average age." That was Vygotsky in 1933, and it still rings true.

When children play, they stretch. They make decisions, take on roles, follow rules and try things they wouldn't attempt in everyday moments. It's as though they're a head taller than themselves.

For children who use AAC, play is where that stretch can happen with communication too. It gives them the means, the reasons and the opportunities to practise, and that builds the confidence to say more.

This is the first in a series of posts from the talk Beth Moulam and I gave at the Communication Matters conference, on how early play sets children up for lifelong communication. If you've ever heard "they're just playing", our answer is simple: play is the learning.

What's the best play moment you've seen lately? Share it in the comments. We'd love to hear.

24/09/2026

Join us tomorrow morning! 🎉

The Ryedale Communication Club meets Friday, 25 September, 10–11am for a morning of music, play and connection.

Play stations with trains, bricks, books and playdough – there's something for everyone to explore at their own pace. Whether your child is using AAC or exploring communication, you'll find a warm, welcoming space with other families who get it.

This is what communication-friendly play looks like.

Can't wait to see you there!

With thanks to Ryedale Special Families

22/09/2026

What a lovely day at the SEND Connect Fair in Northallerton! 💜💗

A huge thank you to Tarn for organising such a welcoming event. It was great to see familiar faces and meet so many new ones.

Our stand had a mix of high-tech and low-tech AAC to explore: communication aids, eye gaze, core vocabulary boards, switches and switch-adapted toys, and the Switch Heroes books. The best conversations weren't about the kit, though. They were about the people around it, and how modelling in everyday moments makes the difference.

If we didn't get the chance to chat, AAC and Me offers:
🟣 Consultancy and training for schools and settings
🩷 Clubs and community sessions for families

Get in touch at [email protected] or [email protected], or visit aacandme.co.uk

Address

Thirsk
YO73SL

Website

http://www.aacandme.co.uk/

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