Symbol-based AAC

Setting up for AAC

• Presume competence
• Select a balanced AAC system
• Choosing a grid size
• Personalize vocabulary and system
• Make AAC always available
• Get the team on board
• Plan for AAC throughout the day

Starting communication

• Start modeling
• Activity-specific vs using balanced vocabulary
• Consider communication functions
• Build communication partner skills
• Engage and interact

Building language and communication

• Learn about core word teaching strategies
• Teach grammar
• Integrating comprehensive literacy instruction
• Get practical ideas for building language

Guide for symbol-based AAC

Establish communication skills for the symbol-based AAC users.

Learn AAC Guide

Potential roadblocks

• Give up too soon
• Lack of support in different environments
• Stalled at choice-making and requesting
• Different AAC Systems in one environment
• AAC will stop a person from learning to speak
• AAC users are required to prove themselves

More Learn AAC articles

AAC for everyone

Support all people to communicate, regardless of what tools they use or where they are on their AAC journey.

• See all articles on AAC for everyone

Text-based AAC

Some people type the words they want to say. Text-based AAC supports people who can read and spell.

• See all articles on Text-based AAC