Support everyday communication with AAC

Start with meaningful communication

AAC means augmentative and alternative communication. It includes ways to communicate alongside or instead of speech, such as gestures, pictures, communication boards, and devices. A child does not need to reach a particular age or demonstrate readiness before AAC can be considered.

• Choose a familiar activity, such as snack time or playing together, for your first shared exploration.
• Include ways to comment, ask questions, refuse, share feelings, and ask for help as well as request things.
• Keep the board available throughout the day. Communication access should not depend on completing a task.

Combine core words with personal topics

Core words can be used in many situations: “I”, “you”, “want”, “not”, “go”, and “more”. Topic words add specific meaning, such as a food, person, place, or activity. Choose vocabulary with the child and the people who know their communication preferences.

• Include “no”, “stop”, “help”, and “break” so the child can express boundaries and support needs.
• Use familiar labels and symbols, including the languages used at home.
• Keep familiar words in consistent positions where possible. Add vocabulary as interests and needs change.

Show how to use the board

Modelling means using AAC yourself during everyday conversation. Point to a word or a short combination while saying the message. The child can watch, explore, or respond in their own way.

• Model during an activity the child enjoys rather than turning each interaction into a quiz.
• Pause and allow time for a response. Avoid repeatedly asking for the same word.
• Respond to gestures, sounds, facial expressions, speech, and symbols. All can contribute to the conversation.

Make the board comfortable to access

Check whether the child can see, reach, and select the symbols comfortably. The most useful arrangement depends on their vision, movement, sensory preferences, and communication needs.

• Use Customize to adjust the board and check symbol size, labels, contrast, and spacing.
• Try the board on the actual phone, tablet, or printed sheet the child will use.
• Scroll through the core-word strip and topic words together so the child can find words beyond the first screen.

Follow the child’s message

Keep communication collaborative and give the child room to choose what to say. A message may be a request, a comment, a refusal, or an invitation to connect.

• Acknowledge the message and respond meaningfully, including when the child says “no” or asks for a break.
• Do not move the child’s hand to select a message. Offer a model and time to explore.
• Share useful vocabulary with family and school so communication is supported across familiar settings.

Use My Visual Path’s AAC tools

Start with a ready-made board or create one for your child’s interests. Review it together and make adjustments as you learn which words are useful.

• Choose Use board to build a message from tiles, then select Speak. Swipe or scroll through core words; more topic tiles appear as you scroll.
• In Customize, choose Board / Topic to edit core words or a topic. New Topic adds a section. Delete Topic asks for confirmation; Undo restores it. At least one topic stays on the board.
• Select Save to keep a custom board in this browser. Saved boards are device-specific, so keep a backup before clearing browser data.
• Present to Child opens the child presentation. Child Lock On disables Exit; turn it Off to exit. It does not lock the device or browser.
• Use Download on the board page, or Print & Download in the builder, for a printable PDF. A paper copy keeps words accessible when a screen is unavailable.

Common questions

Further reading

These general guidelines draw on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s AAC information. For support tailored to your child, work with their communication team.

• ASHA: AAC and getting started
• ASHA: AAC assessment, vocabulary, and partner modelling