5 Super Fun Ways To Support AAC Use at Home and School

Go on a Scavenger Hunt...

A good teacher is not a sage on the stage, 
but a guide on the side
-Vyotsky

Using the child's Speech Generating Device (SGD), select the icons for common objects that can be found in the classroom or home. Then, have the child hunt for the objects. The child will be surprisingly excited to find pencils, teddy bears, spoons and more.  Modeling how to navigate through the pages of the device has never been so fun!

Surf The Web...

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
-Albert Einstein 

Give the child the SGD and sit down with a computer and internet connection.  Have the child direct you to images, songs or videos that they are interested in with their SGD.  They will be thrilled to have access to the computer and be controlling the search at the same time!

Be the student...

Whatever you tell a child, you won't allow her to discover herself -Piaget

Give your child the control!  Open to a page of verbs/actions on the SGD and act our whatever the child tells you too.  They will have you jumping, running in place, pretending to climb the walls and rolling on the ground.  A great way to work on some fitness in the process.  Laughing required!

Watch A Movie...

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.
-Lily Tomlin 

This one is just too easy!  Sit with a child and watch a movie.  Use their SGD to make appropriate comments, ask questions and make predictions about upcoming events in the movie.  The child gets to enjoy a movie while benefiting from the  use of the SGD being modeled to her.  She will associate the SGD with watching a movie and having a way to talk about something she enjoys. 

Play Memory...

Children grow into the intellectual life of those around them
-Vygotsky

Provide each player with a stack of Picture Communication Symbols or pictures of objects.    Have each player then take turns "matching" the cards by locating the same PCS in the SGD. If they find it, they get to keep the card or get a sticker.  Games make learning fun!