Celebrating AAC Awareness Month: Giving Every Child a Voice

October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month! Communication is so much more than just spoken words, and AAC provides a variety of tools, ranging from simple picture boards to high-tech speech-generating devices, to help children express themselves. Whether your little one is just starting their AAC journey or is already an AAC communicator, here are some simple, everyday tips to help support and encourage their communication at home.

• Model, Model, Model: One of the best ways to teach AAC is to use it yourself! Point to words on your child's device or communication board as you speak. You don't have to model every single word, just key concepts. For instance, if you’re playing with cars, you might press "go" as you push the car and "stop" when it crashes!

• Keep it Accessible: You want to treat your child's AAC system like their voice; that means it should go wherever they go! Whether you're at the playground, running errands, or sitting down for dinner, having their device or board within reach ensures they always have the opportunity to share their thoughts and make everyday moments teachable.

• Prioritize Connection, Not Just Requesting: While asking for favorite snacks or toys is important, AAC communication has endless possibilities. It can also be your child’s means of making jokes, sharing feelings, and commenting on the world around them. Encourage your child to use their AAC to make playful comments like "uh oh," "wow" or "so silly!" during playtime.

• Embrace the Pause: Processing language, formulating a thought, and navigating an AAC system takes time. After making a comment or asking a question, give your child  plenty of wait time (count to 10 in your head!) to respond before jumping in to help. Patience is key!

Remember, there are no prerequisites to starting AAC, and research shows that using AAC does not hinder speech development; in fact, it can actually support it by being another tool in their language kit! Let's celebrate all the beautiful ways our children communicate, this month and beyond :)