Blogs with tag AAC basics

Overview

How to talk about AAC and AAC users (according to them)

Words are the building blocks of language, and language is how we tell stories. It’s how we tell each other who we are. Words can shape perceptions—calling AAC a “clinical practice” paints a very different picture from saying AAC is “all the ways we communicate.”

17 minute read

Your child has been diagnosed with nonspeaking autism? Read this first.

Autistic AAC user Darla, provides insight to parents who are starting their journey with nonspeaking autism.

5 minute read

AAC Awareness Month 2021: Presume competence, always

At AssistiveWare, we make Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps. Still, there is far more to AAC than downloading an app to an iPad or printing out a communication board and sticking it to the wall. That’s why this AAC Awareness Month, we want to focus on one of the guiding principles of AAC - presuming competence.

2 minute read

AAC parents and professionals working together

How can we create the most suitable circumstances for an AAC user to succeed? How do we communicate and collaborate at home and in school? Our kids win when we can find ways to work together. By listening, engaging, and encouraging, both parents and professionals can help our AAC users thrive together.

2 minute read

AAC Awareness Month buzzwords illustration

AAC Awareness Month 2020: Exploring AAC buzzwords

To help us all get our heads around the common jargon we share, we have compiled a lists of over 20 AAC buzzwords. This compilation includes definitions of commonly used terms such as presume competence, modeling and attributing meaning. Each buzzword is clearly explained with some key tips and reminders. Share our buzzwords within your teams.

2 minute read

How to make a communication book

AssistiveWare’s Amanda, Speech Language Pathologist, shares how to create a paper-based AAC book of your vocabulary. With it you will always have a backup communication system if anything should happen to your device.

3 minute read

Moving from PECS to a communication device

Follow these recommendations to transition from PECS to a communication device.

5 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Core words

AssistiveWare’s David Niemeijer and Jane Farrall teamed up on a Do’s and Don’ts of AAC Poster for International AAC Awareness Month. This blog explores one of the Do/Don’t pairs.

3 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Use the AAC system

We can all understand the concept that AAC users may not learn how to effectively use their AAC system for communication if they do not see it used regularly and reliably by others in their world. The best way that we can support our AAC user is the use the AAC system to talk yourself!

3 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Access to AAC

AAC users should be able to say what they want, when they want, so they must have access to their AAC system all the time! The rest of the team also needs fast and instant access to the AAC system. How else will they model?

6 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Multimodal communication

We all use many different ways to communicate. Often AAC users will use the fastest and most efficient means of communication available to them in the moment. Respect every mode of communication, as they all play a part in becoming effective communicators!

3 minute read

Do’s and Don’ts of AAC - Questions

Are your questions open or closed? In any environment where questions occur naturally, like in classrooms, it is essential that open-ended questions are used for AAC users. It allows language to be modeled and gives AAC users the opportunity to learn to say what they think and feel.

8 minute read