My Child Has A Communication Device, Now What? You have gone through the steps of getting your child fit with the perfect augmentative and alternative communication or AAC device. That is amazing! You have opened up a new world of communication opportunities for your child and the possibilities are endless.
If you are looking at your child’s communication device and thinking, how in the world does this thing work? How can I help my child learn to use it? How can I make this technology a part of our daily lives? You are not alone! Supporting your AAC user can seem like an overwhelming task, so let’s break it down.
Here are 3 important steps for getting started.
Step 1: Explore the device
All devices are organized differently. Once you get the hang of how the vocabulary is set up and how the pages are organized, things will become a lot easier. Take some time to play around with your child’s device. Press buttons and see where they lead, navigate back to the home page or even try having a conversation with someone using the device.
Communication Device (AAC) Scavenger Hunt: 
Find 3 words in the following categories
- Animals
- Fruits
- Colors
- Months
- Jobs
- Clothing
- Transportation
- People
- Actions
- Describing words
Get to know the home screen: The main page or home screen typically consists of CORE vocabulary or high frequency words that we use often when communicating. These words hold a lot of power! Learn them, practice using them and model, model, model them for your AAC user.
Here are examples of 1 and 2-word combinations using CORE vocabulary:
- More – want more, no more, more that
- Want – Want that, want more, want different, want play, want go
- Stop – Stop that, you stop
- Go – Go away, go play, go out, go there, no go
- Put – Put on, put in, put here
- My – My turn, my drink, my friend
- Like – Don’t like, like that, like more, like you
Exploring the device, learning the layout, navigating through pages are important places to start. After that, combining words and using the device consistently is important and requires a lot of time and practice! Be patient with yourself and your AAC user. Try exploring while your AAC user is not around, so that you can learn and model faster while getting to know the device.
Step 2: Model, Model, Model
Now that you are more familiar with how the device works, start modeling language for your AAC user on his or her device. Just like verbal communicators learn to talk by being spoken to, AAC users need to see their device being used in order to learn how to use it.
Start by modeling just one key word at a time. You do not need to model every word that you say! For example, you might say, “Come to the table, it’s time to eat” while modeling “eat” or “come” on the device. Remember, a young child does not start out speaking in full sentences. They use one, then two, then multiple words at a time. Even though your child understands multiple words/sentences right now, they are essentially learning the new language of using an AAC device. Help them realize it’s ok to use a few words at a time. More importantly, that YOU understand what they are saying.
Embed modeling in your everyday routines. No need to set aside “AAC” time. Instead, pick 1 or 2 activities you already do everyday. Try modeling language with AAC during a meal, brushing teeth, playing a game, reading a book or greeting a family member.
Step 3: Make sure the Device is Accessible
This seems like a no-brainer, but if the device is new, it might take some time to get into the habit of making sure it is charged and with your AAC user at all times. Even if they are not using the device frequently or consistently yet, they still need access to their words all day, everyday! Above all, AAC will not stick if the device is only taken out during speech therapy. Set reminders and don’t forget to always have a charger handy!
In conclusion, the most exciting part about utilizing an AAC device is that your child will feel so empowered to have their thoughts and ideas understood. This is a new and amazing time for them!
Enjoy the process of helping with this growth and remember that the more practice and exposure you provide, the more words, thoughts and ideas you will be able to hear your child say. For more help utilizing and expanding on an augmentative communication system, or for a comprehensive AAC device assessment, please contact our speech pathologists at 773-687-9241 to schedule a session.
