Encouraging AAC Implementation

I decided to share some strategies and best practices instead of highlighting a particular tool this week.  As we work in various school across our region, we often see students who may have an AAC system but it is not used effectively for communication.  The two main reasons why they are not effective are:

There is not enough vocabulary on the system to communicate.  They are comprised of mainly nouns or activity overlays.  We need to provide students with a more robust communication system to include CORE and fringe words. 
Here are some links to help teams get started:

• Select common core words from Core Word Lists 

• Teaching Core Words – Direct Instruction

And, we do not teach our students how to communicate using their device.  We ALL have to know the students language to be able to MODEL using their symbol system.  Click on these links for some resources:

• Encouraging AAC Implementation

• Aided Language Input/Stimulation - video and Handout