If you’ve ever had a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), you know the feeling. Boxes are everywhere, routines disappear overnight, and everyone is trying to remember where they packed the coffee maker.

While so much changes during a move, your child’s ability to communicate shouldn’t have to.

A little preparation before moving day can make a big difference.

AAC Moving Checklist🔗

Follow these tips and don’t worry about disruptive the progress of communication!

Back Up Before You Pack Up🔗

One of the easiest things you can do before your move is create a fresh backup of your child’s speech app. If something happens during travel, you’ll have peace of mind knowing their personalized vocabulary is safe.

If you need specific instructions for your user’s speech app, check out our Speech Apps Guides for step-by-step backup instructions and tips!

Keep Communication Within Reach🔗

Your QuickTalker shouldn’t end up buried in a moving box. Pack it with the things you know you’ll need during travel: medications, important paperwork, snacks, and chargers.

However, we know things get misplaced during a move, so if your QuickTalker Freestyle gets lost you don’t need to worry. Thanks to the five-year no-questions-asked warranty, you can a replacement QuickTalker Freestyle fast! Just submit a QuickTalker Freestyle Warranty and Service Request form and we’ll get your child’s voice back to them in no time.

Bring a Lite-Tech Backup🔗

Travel days don’t always go as planned. A simple laminated core board or communication page tucked into your backpack can be incredibly helpful if the device needs to charge or isn’t immediately available. Check out The Importance of Lite Tech Back Ups for AAC Users to find out how to create a lite-tech backup for your child.

Add Travel Vocabulary🔗

Think about the words your child may need during the trip. Here are some suggestions:

• Airport
• Hotel
• Car
• Bathroom
• Break
• Hungry
• Wait
• All done
• New house
• Help

Adding these words ahead of time can help your child take part in the journey!

You’re Not the Only Communication Partner🔗

PCS season often means leaning on grandparents, neighbors, friends, or new caregivers while you’re getting settled. Taking five minutes to show them how your child’s AAC device works can help your child feel understood from day one.

Mission Ready Tips🔗

• Make sure your child’s QuickTalker Freestyle is fully charged
• Update your child’s speech app before you leave. No Wi-Fi = no updates!
• Get the car ready by reading How to Promote Use of AAC in the Car.