Teaching Operational Skills: How to Clear the Message Window
Building Independence Through Essential Device Functions
When introducing AAC, it’s easy to overlook the importance of operational skills—the practical, day-to-day tasks required to use the device effectively. These include skills such as turning the device on and off, charging it, adjusting the volume, and using functions such as ‘clear’ to reset the message bar. Mastering these foundational skills is essential to ensure the AAC system is always functioning properly and readily available for communication.
One of the most practical skills to teach first is clearing the message bar. Here are some tips to teach this.
In most AAC applications, there is an area at the top of the screen known as the message bar or speech display bar. For this article, we will use ‘message bar,’ but they mean the same thing. When buttons are selected, the corresponding words appear in this area, allowing users to build sentences and create messages.
It’s important to teach individuals how to use the clear function, as this skill supports language development and helps prevent communication breakdowns by ensuring messages are accurate and intentional. There is a big difference between ‘I want ice cream chocolate vanilla’ and a communicator clearing chocolate and then saying ‘I want ice cream vanilla.’
Here are some tips for teaching use of the clear function:
When producing an utterance on the device, model activating the message bar to speak the message and then selecting the clear button to clear your message. Most systems have a way to clear one button at a time or the entire message at once. Model use of both.
If a user puts more than one item in the message bar (for example, ‘chips cookies juice’), respond naturally by asking, ‘Which one did you want?’ Once the user indicates their choice—by reaching, pointing, or otherwise—model the process: clear the message bar, create the correct utterance by selecting the chosen item, speak it by selecting the message bar, and then clear the message bar again.
It can be helpful to create a visual of the steps to clear the message bar for the AAC user or for staff to follow. This ensures that all staff are consistent in how they model use of the clear function.
Some apps have auto-clear settings that will clear the message with activations other than the clear button. It may be helpful to explore these options with a user.
Extra Tip For Users Who Enjoy Listening To A Long String Of Words In The Message Bar🔗
Some communicators enjoy listening back to a long string of words in the message bar. This can be a way for the user to explore language. However, it can be distracting in a classroom or more structured setting. It is important to allow the communicator to play with language in this way at appropriate times while also setting boundaries for when it becomes distracting. In addition to teaching the communicator use of the clear function, here are a few tips to help teach those boundaries:
We do not want to take the device away, as this is their voice. Instead, we can use tools such as visuals to help the communicator distinguish between ‘times to talk’ and ‘times to listen.’ Visuals can help teach this concept, as can visual schedules showing when it is appropriate to explore the device.
Some apps have a quick way to silence a long utterance by pressing and holding a clear button. Explore your specific app and model this technique at times when it is not appropriate to be talking.
Teaching use of the clear function is a simple yet powerful way to support more accurate, intentional communication. By modeling the process, using natural communication breakdowns as learning moments, and providing visual supports or helpful device settings, communication partners can build a strong foundation for successful AAC use. When individuals understand how to manage the message bar, they gain greater control over their messages—and ultimately, greater confidence in expressing themselves.
Written by Monica Lutus MA.,CCC-SLP CX Empowerment
