Why AAC Devices Include a Full Range of Vocabulary🔗

Why does my child’s device come with language that may not seem appropriate for their age?

Communication applications include all kinds of words because these applications support a full range of human communication and development.  You may notice pages for Food & Drinks, Sexuality, and Body Parts.  The research demonstrates that having a full, robust vocabulary helps AAC users communicate more effectively.  Just like children and adults who use spoken language, AAC users deserve access to words that support their safety, self-advocacy, and healthy development.  This type of language helps users ask questions, express feelings, set personal boundaries, and communicate if something feels uncomfortable or unsafe.  

If you are a parent of a younger child who uses an AAC device, you may see vocabulary that is programmed regarding alcoholic beverages, sexuality, and other mature words.  These vocabulary systems are created for users of all ages, which includes adults.  Best practice recommends that we do not delete any words from the device.  While an adolescent user may not use that vocabulary now, they may need access to it in the future.  Here are some ways to handle having mature vocabulary on your child’s device: 

Explore the Device🔗

Before your child uses the device, take some time to find any vocabulary that may not be considered age-appropriate, so that you know what is on the device and can decide if there were something you would like to edit or hide.

Edit Vocabulary🔗

If you find vocabulary that might not be age-appropriate, you can always edit the word or picture.  Programming words that your family uses is a great option so that the words you use will match the words on the device.  If you would like to learn how to edit the communication app your child is using, here is the link to our support hub which features how to edit articles for each communication app. You can also schedule a meeting with our Empowerment Team to learn more.

Hiding Vocabulary🔗

Hiding the vocabulary until you feel your child is at an age where it is more appropriate to have access to that vocabulary is a great option.  This would allow you to keep the vocabulary on the device but prevent your child from accessing it until they are age appropriate.  Each communication app has a different way to hide the vocabulary.  Here are some of our resources regarding how to hide vocabulary in the top few apps:

Just Because They Don’t Use It Doesn’t Mean They Don’t Need It🔗

Another thing to remember is that as you explore the device you may see completely appropriate vocabulary that you may feel like your child wouldn’t talk about.  For example, maybe your child does not eat by mouth, but you see there is a Food & Drinks page.  While your child may not be able to eat, it is important for them to still have access to food vocabulary.  There might be situations where they are listening to a song (I.e. Apples and Bananas), or they may be engaging in a pretend play cooking activity where they will need access to that vocabulary.  Another example might be the Clothes page.  Your child may have clothing items listed on that page that they do not wear, such as glasses, a tie, or a dress. If those words are deleted, then your child may not be able to comment on the dress that their sister is wearing.  

Reach out to the Empowerment Team🔗

The SLP Empowerment Team is a team at AbleNet that is composed of speech-language pathologists who are dedicated to supporting you, the family, and the device user. From choosing the best speech app for your learner’s unique needs to advise on family integration or answering any how to questions, we understand that this is a very important topic.  Please reach out to our Empowerment Team if you would like to go over the communication app to learn more about why the vocabulary is programmed in a certain way or if you have any concerns.  Our team would be happy to help you come up with the best solution for your family and AAC users.  You can reach the Empowerment team by calling 651-294-3101 option 2 or scheduling a virtual meeting with a member of the team.