As a seasoned speech-language pathologist, I’ve had AAC users on my caseload for years. This course was a fresh reminder that successful AAC use isn’t just about the technology—it’s about relationships, responsiveness, and readiness. This blog will give AAC family coaching tips for speech-language pathologists.
Recently, I took Introduce, Inspire & Integrate: Tips for Coaching Families Through AAC Implementation presented by Elena Fader Hurlburt, M.A., CCC-SLP, founder of Village Voices Speech Therapy and Assistive Technology Services. Elena has over a decade of experience in AAC services and is a national presenter on the topic. Her AAC family coaching tips for speech-language pathologists were presented with clarity.
I still remember when using sign language with someone who wasn’t Deaf was considered groundbreaking. My own sign language learning came through an immersive, intensive program—full exposure, full commitment. That experience taught me an essential truth: if we want communication to be effective, we need fluency in the method ourselves.
The same holds true for AAC. If we’re asking our students to use their device, we must be just as comfortable navigating it—quickly finding vocabulary, modeling messages, and supporting spontaneous communication. That kind of ease doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from careful planning, intentional practice, and ongoing exploration.
Understanding AAC Complexity
One of the key points Elena emphasized is that AAC is not one-size-fits-all. There are a variety of augmentative devices—from low-tech communication boards to robust, high-tech speech-generating devices. These differ in vocabulary sets, visual displays, organization, and access methods. These variations can make family training more complex, but they also allow us to match the right system to each student’s unique needs.
Being Responsive to the Student’s Voice
The course reinforced something I have always believed: we must tune in to what our students want to communicate, not just what we want them to say. For some families, AAC can feel unnatural at first. The easier and more intuitive we can make the process—by customizing vocabulary, using familiar contexts, and integrating the device into daily routines—the more likely families are to use it consistently.
Core Strategies That Stood Out
From the many strategies shared, a few stood out as especially impactful:
- Modeling with Purpose: Use aided language stimulation regularly, modeling words and phrases during meaningful activities.
- Core and Fringe Vocabulary Balance: Make sure both are available so students can participate across a range of contexts.
- Family Training & Confidence-Building: Provide repeated opportunities for caregivers to explore the device without fear of “breaking it.”
- Make It Meaningful and Motivating (“M&M”): Choose activities and vocabulary that matter to the student.
- Integrate Everywhere: Plan for home, school, and community use so AAC is not left behind in new settings.
The Takeaway
This course was a powerful reminder that implementing AAC successfully isn’t just a clinical process—it’s a human one. We’re not only teaching students to communicate; we’re coaching families to integrate AAC into the heartbeat of everyday life.
When we combine strong technical knowledge with empathy, responsiveness, and practical coaching strategies, AAC becomes more than a tool—it becomes a bridge to connection, independence, and self-expression.
📚 Further Reading & Resources
🧠 AAC Knowledge & Best Practices
- ASHA – Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Clear definitions, types of AAC, and evidence-based practices.
🔗 Read on ASHA › - PrAACtical AAC Blog
Tips, strategies, and resources for professionals and families using AAC.
🔗 Visit PrAACtical AAC ›
🛠 Training & Support Communities
- AssistiveWare’s AAC Family Members Community
Online space for family members to connect and share AAC experiences.
🔗 Join the Community › - Tobii Dynavox Community
User support, training videos, and device-specific tips.
🔗 Explore Tobii Dynavox ›
📖 Recommended Reading
- Fundamentals of AAC: A Case-Based Approach to Enhancing Communication – Hall, Juengling-Sudkamp, Guttmann, & Cohn (2023).
- Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs – Beukelman & Light.
🎥 Videos & Interactive Learning
- YouTube – LAMP Words for Life Tutorials
Step-by-step guides for navigation, customization, and modeling.
🔗 Watch Tutorials › - AAC in Action Video Series – Real-life examples of modeling and integration across settings.
🔗 Watch on YouTube
RELATED BLOGS:
- AAC Core Vocabulary : Ideas for Teaching GO
- 5 Ways Augmentative Communication Unlocks Potential
- Aided Language Input
Enhance AAC Understanding with Symbol-Adaptive Tools
As part of my commitment to inclusive communication, I’ve developed several symbol-adapted resources on Teachers Pay Teachers to support children who use AAC or benefit from visual symbols. These materials are designed with clear visuals, consistent layouts, and user-friendly navigation—making them intuitive for symbol users and easy for families or educators to implement.
Here are five of my favorite products you can highlight in your blog:
Featured Symbol-Adaptive Resources
- Baby Beluga: Picture Song Card (Free)
A beloved song rendered into an interactive picture book using Boardmaker symbols. Encourages left-to-right reading and features many /b/ sounds—perfect for articulation practice. A great, accessible entry point for symbol users.
Teachers Pay Teachers+2Teachers Pay Teachers+2Teachers Pay Teachers+1 - Wheels on the Bus: Interactive Circle Time
An adapted song activity with choice-based visuals. Young learners can select the next verse, supporting both engagement and expressive language. Includes two different picture sizes for flexibility.
Teachers Pay Teachers+2Teachers Pay Teachers+2 - 5 Green and Speckled Frogs: Circle Time Fun
A folder-friendly interactive version of the classic rhyme—students manipulate frog visuals and practice counting and language in a multisensory format.
Teachers Pay Teachers+11Teachers Pay Teachers+11Teachers Pay Teachers+11 - Interactive Adapted Songs, Poems, Rhymes & Choice Board Bundle
A comprehensive bundle offering visuals and choice boards for songs, rhymes, and poems—ideal for mixed groups with varying needs and communication styles. Inclusive, flexible, and easy to differentiate.
Teachers Pay Teachers+4Teachers Pay Teachers+4Teachers Pay Teachers+4 - Little Groundhog (Boom Card Poem & Questions)
A voiced Boom Card deck featuring a Groundhog Day poem with picture-supported questions. Designed for students who benefit from auditory narration and visual cues—great for self-paced practice and comprehension checks.
Teachers Pay Teachers+9Teachers Pay Teachers+9Teachers Pay Teachers+9
Why These Resources Work for Symbol Users
- Visual consistency & clarity help students process and anticipate content.
- Interactive choice-making empowers learners to participate actively.
- Auditory supports (like voice prompts in Boom Cards) reduce dependence on reading.
- Flexible formats (printable vs digital, varying image sizes) allow tailoring to individual needs.
By integrating these tools into therapy or home routines, you’re not just teaching AAC—you’re scaffolding communication in a way that’s intuitive, engaging, and respectful of each learner’s pathway.
