Helen Tainsh is a Speech Pathologist with 30 years of experience of working with students who use AAC. She presents regularly on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) at conferences & workshops. She 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 augmentative and alternative communication. 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. She has a strong interest in AAC and literacy and has been instrumental in using Comprehensive Literacy Instruction with many students to improve their literacy skills. Helen is also a certified presenter in Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (P.O.D.D.) Communication Books. She also has extensive experience in the programming and use of electronic communication devices.