ABSTRACT
In the UK, the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a national examining board which offers a range of academic qualifications, including A-levels and GCSEs. It also offers a scheme that allows professionals to create their own units and specify their own assessment criteria, known as the Unit Award Scheme (UAS). It rewards students for short units of work and can be used as a stepping stone to other awards or qualifications. Students who complete the smiLE Therapy modules can then be accredited by the AQA examining board and obtain recognised certification for the progress they have made with their new communication skills gained through smiLE Therapy. AQA accreditation for smiLE Therapy modules is a good way to raise the profile of speech and language therapy and functional communication in schools. The AQA UAS certificates can also be added to students' portfolios used for post-16 Further Education applications.
