TALKING MATS FOUNDATION TRAINING

Talking Mats is a research-based tool to help people think about a topic or issue, and communicate their opinions, ideas and preferences more effectively.  Follow the link below to register your interest for the next available training.

  • Talking Mats is an interactive, research-based tool that helps people express their opinions, ideas and preferences about a topic or issue. It can help people with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) improve the quality of their contributions when making decisions about their life.

    A ‘Talking Mat’ involves at least two people: the 'Thinker' (the person with CCN thinking about the issue) and the 'Listener' (the person facilitating and supporting the thinker). Talking Mats uses three sets of picture communication symbols: topic, options and top scale, and a space on which to display them.

    Talking Mats can be used in lots of different ways. For example:

    • To find out how someone feels e.g., about where they live, who they spend time with

    • To find out what someone prefers e.g., places they go, activities they do

    • To find out someone’s opinion e.g., foods they like and don’t like

    • To make decisions e.g., about their goals, post-school plans

  • The Talking Mats training is delivered in two x half day in-person sessions, by an accredited trainer for up to eight participants. The training is for allied health professionals, carers and support workers who support, work with, or interact with someone who experiences communication difficulties. The tool is applicable to a wide range of health, community, residential and education settings.

    • Learn how to implement Talking Mats to structure client conversations to gather their views and opinions

    • Learn how to evaluate appropriateness and effectiveness of Talking Mats

    • Learn how to reflect on your own communication and evaluate your own ongoing implementation of Talking Mats to ensure validity

    • Learn how to personalise Talking Mats to your own setting.

    Please visit the Talking Mats Australia website to find out more about this tool:https://talkingmatsaustralia.com.au

    Emerge are excited to offer this training in 2023 in Launceston, Tasmania. Please contact sharon@emergealliedhealth.com or 03 6709 8270 to register your interest.

    We can tailor this training to individual organsations.

calmer kids, settled students

Do you work with or support neurodivergent children, children who have experienced trauma or children requiring extra developmental support?

Are you spending time each day managing immediate challenging behaviours when you would rather be learning, playing and engaged with your students?

This workshop is specifically tailored for Teachers, Teacher Assistants and the wider school community and you can expect to leave feeling enthusiastic, informed and ready to go with practical strategies you can use the very next day with your students.

Register your interest for the next available workshop.

For further information or organize in house training contact sharon@emergealliedhealth.com

    • Spotting the difference between a regulated and dysregulated brain

    • Thinking two steps ahead: how can I tell what dysregulates my students

    • Strategies to manage challenging behaviours and restore regulation (for them and me)

    • Strategies for creating calm classrooms from the first bell

  • Bel Flint is a behaviour therapist with more than 20 years’ experience as a teacher. She has extensive experience in early childhood education, specialising in autism and inclusive practice. Bel brings practical approaches to support children with autism, trauma and other development needs.

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