Symbol-based AAC

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AAC for everyone

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

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Text-based AAC

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

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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

Guide for symbol-based AAC

Establish communication skills for the symbol-based AAC users.

Learn AAC Guide

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