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Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices can be incredibly helpful for those children who need assistance when communicating. However, one frustrating factor that parents often find themselves struggling with is how to implement the device at home. Often the child becomes very accustomed to performing well with his/her device with his/her SLP or teacher in school, but will not use the device at home for their parents. This can be incredibly frustrating for the parents and the child because of how helpful this device can be! One of the hardest parts about using alternative and augmentative communication devices with children, is knowing what to do with it once you have it. There are two very important things to keep in mind when working with AAC devices: 1. Teach a child to use AAC devices and systems in the same way you would teach them to speak. 2. Be a good model for your child when using the device. Instead of speaking verbally to your child and having them communicate through the device, you communicate through the device as well so they can see you create novel utterances and feel more comfortable communicating with it themselves.

Here are some more helpful tips when using AAC devices.

1. Have someone who specializes in AAC devices find a good fit for your child.
   1. Contact a SLP to trial a variety of AAC devices and programs to find the best fit for your child and his/her needs.
2. Get everyone familiar with the child’s AAC device.
   1. Have everyone in the household get familiar and comfortable using the AAC device so that they can all take turns communicating with the child through the device to not only be good models but to show the child that everyone supports him/her.
3. Model using the AAC device around the child.
   1. Talk with your child using the device instead of talking to your child and having them communicate back to you with the device. This gives them the opportunity to learn new utterances and feel more comfortable with their device.
4. Encourage the child’s attempts using the AAC device.
   1. Encourage your child to use the device. If you do not support them or encourage them, they will not want to use it either! If your child pushes a button, even if it’s accidental, you can still respond as if it is meaningful. This helps the child to understand that the words they are creating with their device have real meaning.
5. Have the AAC device present at all times.
   1. A child who does not have a device has his/her voice with him/her at all times, therefore your child with a device should have his/her voice with him/her at all times.
6. Set up opportunities for the child to use the AAC device.
   1. Show your child an item and then model the word using the child’s AAC device, then give him/her the opportunity to trial this new word on their own.

-Erin White M.A., CF-SLP, TSSLD