As a parent, you have a lot of decisions to make. And if you’re the parent of a child who is not speaking or speaking very little, choosing the right communication support is at the top of that list. With so many AAC speech devices to choose from, how do you know which one is the best fit? Here are a few things to consider on your quest to find the best AAC speech device for your child’s needs and goals.
Partner with a Knowledgeable AAC Professional
As you explore the features of the AAC options on the market, consider three main factors: language, access, and personal preferences. You’ll need to find an AAC solution that provides enough language to support what your child wants to say now, and what they need to learn to express themselves as they grow and change. You’ll also need to consider your child’s vision and physical skills (AKA “access”) to help you decide how to display language on an AAC device, and how your child will retrieve that language. Many children are able to access words on an AAC system by simply touching the screen. Others may need support to use their fingers to communicate in this way, or may need alternative ways to get to their words, such as using accessibility switches or eye gaze. A speech therapist, special educator, or other assistive technology professional with AAC training is an important resource as you search for the right fit in these areas .
An AAC professional is trained to observe your child and ask the right questions to help you make the best technology choice among the vast and overwhelming sea of options. This professional can also guide you and your family as you work to integrate an AAC system into your lives, providing support and strategies at each step of the journey.
Choose an AAC Option that Includes Core Words
Finding an AAC system that has the right language for your child’s needs and growth is the most important factor as you start your search. In this context, the term language refers not only to the language that you speak at home (e.g., English, Spanish), but also to the types of words, and the amount of words, available to use on your communication device. AAC apps and devices offer lots of language options, but it is important that you choose a solution that includes core vocabulary. Core words are those that all of us use to say most of what we want to say throughout the day. There are about 500 core cords in total that are “at the core” of everyday communication.
This small set of functional words allows kids to communicate quickly in lots of different situations, making core vocabulary a powerful starting point for emerging AAC communicators. Luckily, many AAC apps and devices also offer you the ability to add personal words that are important to your child and family, so you can build on the foundation of core words and help your child’s language skills soar over time. You’ll want to make sure that your AAC system of choice has individual words available -not just stock phrases or sentences- because these are the building blocks of creating novel sentences to express a range of ideas. Ofcourse, sometimes we need to communicate more quickly or we need to say something in the same way, each time (e.g, Hi! ! What’s your name?), so having a way to add some quick social and safety phrases to the system is also a good feature to look for.
Try a Few Before You Decide
Along with understanding your child’s language and access needs, preferences - those of yourself, your family, and your child- have a big impact on AAC success. You’ll never know how an AAC speech device fits into your family if you don’t give it a try. Many AAC manufacturers and distributors provide a way for families to take their products for a spin, offering such services at low or no financial cost. More and more AAC app developers are also offering options that allow families to try AAC programs at home before they make a forever choice. You might consider trying at least two options during your AAC test drive, keeping the following questions in mind as you explore the fit of each:
Does this system have all the words I want my child to have access to?
Is it easy enough for me and others in my family to add new words when we need to?
Can I see myself using this tool each day to provide a model of how my child can use it?
Does the tool physically fit into our daily life in terms of size, physical features, battery life, etc…?
Does my child seem to like this tool? If not, why might this be?
Do I like this tool? If not, why might this be?
You’ll want to use a trial AAC system across your daily activities, including when you’re at home, at school and out and about. This widespread try-out helps you and your AAC team discover needs and issues that you might not have discussed at the start of your AAC search. After all, it’s hard to anticipate all of the things, all of the time, right? As you try each tool on for size, focus on exploring the ins-and-outs of the software on your own. Explore the words, where to find them, and how to add new ones. When you and your child are trying the AAC device out together, keep everything fun and low pressure by using the tool to model words for your child, and observing how they respond.
When considering a handful of AAC speech devices that equally meet your child’s language and access needs, the best tie breaker is the robust tool that best fits into your family’s life and preferences. If you don’t get the warm and fuzzies about an AAC tool right out of the gate, talk with your AAC support team to explore why this might be. Is there a better tool to fit your family’s needs? Do you need more coaching to help you how this tool might fit into your day-to-day parenting and teaching?
No matter what AAC speech device you choose, remember that learning to communicate is a journey that can’t be reached overnight. Finding the right tool is a great start, but dedication and patience will be essential to realizing success with your family’s new AAC side-kick.
Originally posted on the Goally blog