I Have an AAC App, Now What?

I love this time of year! The first week of April is the Christmas* of AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). With all of the autism acceptance and awareness sales, people with complex communication needs (CCN) are receiving the greatest gift…language.

Giving someone an AAC app doesn’t mean they’re going to be able to pick it up and begin using it immediately. It’s more like giving the gift of a musical instrument. There’s some learning and perseverance that has to happen before you’re going to hear beautiful music. And unless they’re a musical prodigy, someone is going to have to teach them how to combine the notes to make that music.

So if the first few days are Christmas, the rest of the month is the New Year’s of AAC. It’s a celebration filled with excitement for what’s to come. There’s the anticipation of things changing in new and remarkable ways. There’s research into pursuing this resolution of teaching someone in your life how to use these buttons and symbols to tell you what (s)he’s thinking. And there are questions.

How do I use this new tool?

What does successful implementation look like?

How can I integrate this into my already busy life?

I’m combining some resources into a single post for those of you who are just getting started with AAC. It’s geared towards Speak for Yourself, but a lot of the information is universal AAC advice.

Get to know the app

If you’ve just downloaded the Speak for Yourself app, here are my suggestions for next steps:

1. Join the Speak for Yourself Users Group on Facebook (and if you’ve downloaded an app other than SfY, join their user’s group).
2. Sit with the app open in front of you and follow along with this 35 minute video. It will be worth your time to understand the operation of the app.
3. Speak for Yourself has almost 5000 words pre-programmed. If you are planning to close a lot of them for your new AAC user, consider using the Beginner Vocabulary Template. The Beginner Template hides most of the vocabulary and starts with about 200 words open. DO THIS BEFORE YOU PROGRAM ANY CUSTOMIZED VOCABULARY. The Beginner Template replaces the current vocabulary file, so you will lose any programming that you’ve done.

To apply the template:

• Touch the “daisy” setting symbol in the upper right corner.
• Touch “Use Beginner’s Vocabulary Template.”
• If you’re sure (meaning you haven’t done significant custom programming), select “Apply Template.”

4. Turn on the history feature (with your AAC user’s permission and knowledge) to track usage. Go to the daisy setting, scroll down to “record history” and turn it on. A small red dot will appear in the upper right hand corner of the message window.

5. If it helps you to understand how vocabulary is organized in Speak for Yourself, here is a post that explains that. 🙂

AAC Implementation

Now that you have some basic operational skills, it’s time to focus on implementation. My best advice for AAC implementation is to get started. If you have the tendency to be an “analysis to paralysis” type of person, this is a good time to put that in check. AAC implementation doesn’t have to be perfect to be beneficial. Here are my suggestions for next steps in this area:

1. This is a post I wrote years ago in response to people asking, “Where do I start?”   I still like it. Read it and complete the Building Language plan around something that your AAC learner LOVES.
2. Add some of their favorite things to the app. If they love Elmo, put his picture in there. If your child gets over the moon excited when you pass a Dunkin Donuts, put it in there. Add some fringe vocabulary that lets them direct the conversation to their interests.
3. Back up your vocabulary file. Here is the post with those directions. It takes 7 seconds once you have your email or Dropbox account.
4. Lock the programming by selecting the lock button in the upper right corner of the app.
5. Look at your Building Language Plan and choose 5-10 words. Learn where they are in the app (Use the search feature if needed). If you’re having difficulty choosing words, use the Learning to Speak AACtion Plan.
6. Lock Speak for Yourself/AAC app into guided access. This will dedicate your iPad to communication.
7. Show it to your AAC learner. Choose a time that they’re used to sitting in a high chair or at a table. Sit with him/her and model the fringe words you’ve added. Explain it as you activate the buttons. For example, “If you want to talk about ELMO (touch Elmo button), we can.” “If you want to EAT (touch eat) or DRINK (touch drink).” Have a favorite food and drink (or item) nearby so that if they touch it, you can reinforce it immediately.
8. MODEL, MODEL, MODEL! Here’s a post about modeling that gives some concrete ideas.

If they ignore you, it’s fine. Stay positive and excited. Practice the words you learned as if it’s the best thing in the world! Turn on Babble in front of them so that they can see all of the words and then turn it back off. Put words together and then act on it. For example, say, “I’m going to DRINK WATER (modeling “drink water”)” and then do it.

When they decide to touch the app, acknowledge whatever they say. Even if you don’t think it was intentional. Even if you don’t know why they said it. React to it in a fun way. Give them the item. Respond in a way that gives the language meaning. There is no “wrong” button. Encourage your AAC learner to explore and Babble…and celebrate when they do.

Integrating AAC

Now you know how to operate the app and you have a good starting point for implementation. But your AAC user has been communicating with you without a device for years. She pushes things away when he doesn’t want them. He cries when you offer him the things he doesn’t want. You’ve established a system, and now you’re adding something new. Here are some suggestions as you move forward:

1. Take your student’s/child’s lead. Show him/her how to talk about the things that are interesting to him/her.
2. Avoid physical prompts. Promote independent, autonomous communication by modeling and gesturing if you think you know what s/he wants.
3. Take the device with you everywhere. If s/he doesn’t use it, that’s fine. Having it with you makes it more likely that you will model. More importantly, if your child wants to say something on the device, the only way you’re going to know is if they have the device.
4. Make modeling part of your routine. Make a written plan and stick to it, but have a back up plan if life interferes. Here’s a post about modeling implementation intentions.
5. Ask questions! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out. Someone in the community has been there and will be there to offer suggestions and/or encouragement.
6. Have fun and be patient! It may seem like you’re working really hard and getting very little engagement in return. Your student/child is paying attention. You’ll see.

Looking forward to hearing about all of the things your students/children have to say!

*feel free to insert any other gift-giving, excitement-filled, highly-anticipated holiday