Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is another way to communicate, like any language used in your classroom. AAC is not a special activity for a few students.

We should treat AAC as part of universal design. We create a classroom where all students can access the curriculum, participate, and connect with one another. AAC support doesn’t just benefit students using devices; they strengthen communication for everyone!

AAC Doesn’t Mean More Work🔗

We get it. Time is the biggest challenge in any classroom. Whole group instruction moves quickly, and it can feel impossible to add one more thing.

Here is the good news: AAC doesn’t require extra lesson planning. It can fit into what you are already doing.

Instead of creating something new, AAC is about enhancing your current instruction so that more students can engage meaningfully and access the curriculum.

AAC Belongs in Your Classroom🔗

All students deserve access to the same high-quality instruction. Incorporating AAC is the same as the multimodal teaching (i.e. visual, auditory, kinesthetic strategies) that you already do. Think of AAC as another mode of communication, the same as a verbal reply to a question or pointing to an answer on the board.

Whole group instruction is where there are built-in communication opportunities. Including AAC users in these opportunities gives them natural occurrences to interact, respond, and connect with peers.

AAC also benefits more than just nonspeaking students. AAC strategies support language development, helps bridge the gap during communication breakdowns, and can increase overall student engagement.

Practical Strategies to Try Today🔗

These strategies will take you a short time to implement, but will give long-term impact!

Make AAC Visible🔗

Place core words and symbols throughout your classroom. Core vocabulary words or core vocabulary boards can be on your easel, projected on your slides, incorporated into anchor charts, and individual materials. The more students see it, the more they will use it.

For example, print out a word and symbol for:

• “go” and “stop” near the door
• “on” and “off” next to the light switch
• “listen” and “see” on the board

Model Key Words🔗

Modeling AAC means that you point to words at the same time you are speaking. Have a core vocabulary board near where you are teaching and model key words on the board as you teach.

Tip: Pick one or two words to model for the whole week. For example, if you chose “go” as the core word to model, you’d model “go” whenever you say it out loud for the week. There’s no pressure for the student to then repeat this model. Next week, pick a new word!

Pause and Wait🔗

All students benefit from wait time, especially students who rely on communication tools and supports. They need time to process and understand a message, and then time to formulate and execute the response.

Tip: A great rule of thumb is to count to 5 to allow more students to raise their hands. Some students might need more time, so it could be better to wait to 10 seconds!

Build Predictable Participation🔗

Most students benefit from and thrive on consistency. Consistency and predictability set students up for success. When you are lesson planning, think about creating consistent moments where students can respond.  

Some great times to build consistency are:

• Morning meeting question of the day
• Repeated lines in a read-aloud
• Daily reflections with the same sentence starter

Predictability builds confidence and increases engagement for all. 

Honor All Communication🔗

Participation can look different for every student, especially students using communication supports. Allow for various forms of communicating and responding to increase confidence in all students. Participation may look like:

• Touching a symbol
• Looking at a choice
• Using a device
• Gestures or vocalizations

All forms of communication are valid and meaningful.

Small Classroom Shifts to Strengthen AAC Use🔗

• Focus on connection over correction: prioritize meaningful, positive interactions over right and wrong answers. AAC is a tool for conversing first, not assessment.
• Use AAC throughout the day: AAC isn’t just for the classroom or speech therapy. Promote the use of it in the hall, in other classes, in the cafeteria, everywhere!
• AAC strengthens what you’re already doing: The strategies you use every day to support learning can also support AAC users. When AAC is woven into classroom activities, you create more opportunities for communication, participation, and success for everyone!

Start Small to Make a Big Impact🔗

You don’t need to be an AAC expert to begin. Start with:  

• Making AAC visible and accessible 

• Modeling a few key words 

• Creating participation opportunities 

• Giving students time to respond.  

Small changes during whole group instruction can make a big difference in access, engagement, and communication. You can also always get help from your SLP or from our SLP Empowerment team!