One of the most effective strategies we can use when supporting individuals who use AAC is wait time. Wait time occurs when a communication partner intentionally pauses after asking a question, making a comment, or providing a communication opportunity.  

For speech therapists, educators, school support staff or family members, wait time may sound like a simple strategy to implement. However, in practice, it can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. Many people are not accustomed to silence and may feel the urge to repeat a question, offer prompts, or fill the pause with comments.

AAC users often need additional time to process language, move their bodies, plan their message, locate vocabulary on their device, and select the words they want to communicate. These intentional pauses can help communication partners create opportunities for more meaningful participation and increase independence.

Why Does Wait Time Matter? 🔗

Wait time plays a critical role in creating space for AAC users to grow. Specifically, wait time supports processing time, encourages communication initiation, and builds turn taking skills.

Supports Processing Time🔗

Processing time refers to the amount of time it takes for someone to understand the information provided, formulate a response, and then respond. Many AAC users benefit from increased processing time. Additional wait time can benefit AAC users in different stages of processing:

• Understanding the message
  Additional wait time allows AAC users to fully understand what is being communicated
• Planning a response
  Extra time helps them find the language they want to use to formulate their response
• Coordinating movements to respond
  For users with complex motor needs, more time supports the physical actions needed to select words or communicate a message.

In a classroom or therapy session, wait time might feel like you aren’t doing anything. The amount of processing time needed varies from person to person and may also change depending on the activity, environment, or communication demands. Most AAC users benefit from at least 10 seconds of wait time.

Encourages Communication Initiation🔗

Many AAC users spend much of their day responding to questions rather than initiating communication. They may have limited opportunities to start conversations, ask questions, or make comments. Providing wait time creates opportunities for them to initiate, share ideas, and participate more actively in conversations.

Builds Turn-Taking Skills🔗

Some AAC users have had limited opportunities to engage in conversational exchanges. Wait time helps the AAC user learn the rhythm of conversations and recognize when it is their turn to communicate.

Tips for Providing Wait Time🔗

• Determine the Appropriate Wait Time
  • Every AAC user is different. Work together as an educational team to identify a wait time that would allow the user to process and respond while remaining engaged in the activity.
• Ask the Question Once
  • Repeating a question quickly can interrupt the student’s thought process and may require them to start processing the information all over again. If the student does not respond in the agreed upon wait time, then consider repeating the question or providing a prompt. For example, you could look at the user and then glance down to the device. 
• Count in Your Head
  • After asking a question, silently begin to count the number of seconds you plan to wait. Maintain eye contact with the user so that they know that you are actively listening. Counting in your head can help prevent the urge to repeat, redirect, or answering for the student.
• Allow for Total Communication
  • Communication can occur in many forms and all communication attempts should be recognized. If the AAC user responds by shaking their head, gesturing, vocalizing or using facial expressions, acknowledge the message and continue the interaction.
• Ask Open Ended Questions
  • Open-ended questions create opportunities for AAC users to share their thoughts, opinions or ideas. Questions such as “Tell me about recess” or “What did you think about the story?” allows for more meaningful communication than questions that can be answered with yes or no.
• Resist Filling the Silence
  • Silence can feel uncomfortable, but giving the AAC user uninterrupted time demonstrates that you respect and value their contribution to conversation.

Patience Pays Off🔗

While wait time may feel like one of the easiest strategies, its impact can be significant. By pausing and allowing AAC users the time they need to process and respond, we show that their thoughts are worth waiting for. Wait time offers many benefits for AAC users, but perhaps the greatest benefit is increased independence. Wait time promotes participation, builds confidence and helps users communicate as independently as possible. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply wait and listen.