Anyone working with AAC knows that engaging collaboration through training, meetings, check ins, and/or handouts for parents and staff is vital!

Since transferring to working with older students in the schools, I’ve spent a ton of time working with students that use AAC systems including iPad apps, dedicated devices, picture symbols, core boards, and PODD books! Year after year, I kept wishing there was an easier way to implement AAC, especially in the schools. As a busy speech therapist, I didn’t have a ton of time but knew that the consultative piece for AAC (aka getting all of the team members on the same page!) is one of the most important.

Over the past 5 years, I started taking notes on what I observed being effective with my AAC users. I read A TON of research. I trialled different systems and finally came up with an effective 5 step approach to AAC implementation.

To download this FREE handout for parents and teachers in a printable format (color and black & white included!), click here!

PS: Before I get further, you should know that I turned these 5 steps into a best-selling AAC Implementation Toolkit that includes everything you need to get started with AAC training, including handouts for parents and teachers. (Now available in Spanish as well!

Below is the 5-step system I follow. You can skip steps as needed. For example, if your team is already familiar with what AAC is, start on step 2. If your team is already keeping device out and accessible, start on step 3.

AAC TRAINING STEP ONE: AAC BASICS

What does AAC stand for? Augmentative and Alternative Communication. But, what does that mean?

Just because we use AAC everyday, it doesn’t mean that our staff and especially our parents know the basics. Our teams need to get familiar with what AAC is, the different types (low vs high tech), who uses it, and why it’s important.

During this step, it can be a good idea to let them play around with different devices, apps, and core boards if possible. While the principles I discuss in my implementation guide are universal to all devices and apps, a little AAC device training can go a long way.

STEP TWO: ACCESS

Consistent AAC access, while basic, is one of the biggest hurdles with some teams. During this step, teams should be focused on making sure AAC systems and devices are out and accessible AT ALL TIMES. Everyone should understand that these systems are our students’ voice and that it cannot be taken away.

Strategies for keeping the device accessible (including straps and cases) should be explored during this step. If possible, the AAC user should have ownership of their device and transition with it whenever possible.

Don’t forget to have a back-up option for dead batteries or technical difficulties. There are quite a few low tech communication boards out there to choose from!

STEP THREE: MODELING

Step three is for me, the biggest AAC strategy I hear recommended to parents and professionals: AAC modeling. I want everyone on the team to feel comfortable and familiar with using the system to model language.

During this step, team members should learn WHAT to model, WHEN to model, and why it’s so important to model. I talk a lot about teaching, not testing and modeling slightly above the level the AAC user is at.

STEP FOUR: CORE VOCABULARY

Step four is teaching about core vocabulary including what it is and why these words are so important to teach. I go over core vs fringe, the versatility of core, good core words to start with, and descriptive teaching.

During this step, you might want to implement a core word of the week system. Or, you could provide a yearly handout with a few words to focus on each month. For other teams, just encouraging modeling of core vocabulary words is enough (and less overwhelming!). My training guide now has core word activity pages, with tons of suggestions on activities and daily routines that will provide opportunities to use these critical words!

STEP FIVE: COMMUNICATION OPPORTUNITIES

The final step is setting up communication opportunities. During this step, I teach about effective prompting (not doing too much!) and eliciting communication.

I am for 200 communication opportunities A DAY based on AAC research. While this number might initially seem overwhelming, it is absolutely possible when you have an entire team that’s on board and on the same page!

If you’re looking to give a huge boost to the AAC programming where you work, try focusing on each of these steps for a month at a time! In 5 months, your entire team will be so much more knowledgeable about AAC strategies and effective implementation!

If you’re an AAC rockstar already, these steps might seem incredibly basic to you. But, I’ve found that approaching AAC training and implementation in this order and keeping the focus on simple, effective strategies has worked well for me and my caseload. And although this is something I live and breathe, I find that the AAC handouts for parents and teachers really help guide them through the process as well.

AAC Training Toolkit: Everything You Need!

Again, if you’re interested in checking out my HUGE AAC Implementation Toolkit packet, click here. It includes tons of handouts, a staff training PowerPoint, data collection sheets, posters, visuals, and so much more! It’s not just for sharing with parents – you’ll appreciate my resources on AAC goal writing and data collection as well as handy core word activity suggestions for the entire team!

Here’s what some other SLPs had to say about my AAC training guide:

• “This is the best product I’ve ever purchased on TPT. I went from never working with anyone with AAC to having multiple students using AAC devices this year. I love it but have been overwhelmed with where to start and how to encourage carryover in the classroom, and this resource helps with all of that. Thank you so much for an amazing, thoughtful, thorough product!!” – Erin M.

• “This toolkit has been a LIFESAVER this year. I have many AAC users which a new area for me, but I feel this toolkit has made me comfortable with how to serve these students. I appreciate all the hard work that went into the resource, and I use it at least once a week.” – Sarah S.

• “I cannot say enough good things about this resource. It takes all of the things I have been saying to my teams (on repeat, for years) and puts them in a nice, tidy handbook. It helps my teams to set personal goals and to stay accountable. I give them one chapter at a time and ask them to set personal goals. Then I check in on those goals and if they’re ready we move on to the next chapter. Access has always been a major issue for my students. When I walked out of the classroom, the device got put on a bookshelf or filing cabinet and was all but forgotten until I came back. After using this resource for a full school year I can report that every.single.one of my AAC users has their device out and available to them ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. I honestly don’t think that would have been possible without this resource. Buy it, you won’t be disappointed!” – Britney M.

Hope that helps give you some ideas! Thanks for reading!

Shannon

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