Helen Tainsh

Helen is a Speech Pathologist with 30 years of experience working with students who have complex communication needs. She presents regularly on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in workshops and at conferences. Helen currently works at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre in Melbourne and also has a private practice. In her private practice Helen supports children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities, who use AAC. She supports access to the curriculum within their mainstream school. Helen consults regularly in a number of Special Schools, supporting implementation of AAC and comprehensive literacy instruction. Helen has a strong interest in AAC and literacy and has been instrumental in using the Four Blocks Framework with many students to improve their literacy skills. Helen has completed both the Introductory and Advanced Intensive Seminars on Literacy in AAC.

Helen has completed PROMPT introductory and advanced training. She also has extensive experience in the programming and use of speech generating devices. Helen works with the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET), presenting a series of workshops to provide training to DET employees regarding best practice in supporting students with CCN in the school setting.

Helen is happy to travel in Australia and overseas and is available to present 2 day PODD Introductory workshops, Alternative Access workshops, 1 day PODD Overview and PODD pagesets for SGDs workshops.