Joy: The Key to AAC Success

In my experience, the BIGGEST predictor of AAC success is if the child experiences JOY from communicating with the device. 

Too often, AAC is treated like "work" for the learner, and they are expected to use it in a certain way (e.g., they have to say how they feel or what their name is). We know that is approach of adding expectations doesn't work for late-talkers (and why it is common practice in the SLP world to discourage parents from insisting that their child "say X" and "say Y").

The exact same approach is needed with our AAC learners.

We need to create situations that are intrinsically motivating for our learners, and show them that communication does lead to shared joy!

For a learner like this, I have modelled bubbles many times, and if she is struggling to find it, I would not insist that she needs to. I'd show her where it is again, and continue to model other words. However, she is showing us all her intent and ability to communicate about something that brings her so much joy.

Video shared with consent.

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by Halle Demchuk, SLP

Paediatric SLP | GLP-Trained Clinician | Owner of HAEPI SLP