When a child is unable to speak or cannot access their words all of the time, parents may rely on asking yes and no questions to figure out what their child is trying to communicate. Many children with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodiverse profiles may struggle to understand and respond to these types of questions, further complicating communication interactions. How do parents help their child with autism to understand and answer yes and no questions more successfully?
Read moreDoes My Child Need AAC?
If your child is struggling to speak, you may wonder what you can do to help ease frustration and promote more successful communication interactions. Many children develop creative ways to help others understand their attempts to communicate, such as pointing, using gestures, and acting things out to add clarity to their message. All of these forms of communication that lay outside of spoken words are part of a system called Augmentative and Alternative Communication or AAC.
Read moreWhat are the Types of AAC?
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an umbrella term used by professionals to describe any ways in which we communicate alongside spoken words, or instead of spoken words. We all use these different supplements or alternatives when we communicate, but we don’t usually refer to them as AAC unless they are used by an individual who is experiencing limitations in spoken language. If you are a parent considering how AAC may be able to help your child communicate, it is helpful to know the different types of AAC available, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Children who struggle to communicate with spoken words should have access to several different types of AAC, all coming together to form the child’s AAC System. This post outlines the most common types of AAC used to support children with spoken language difficulties.
Read moreHow Do I Teach My Child to Use an AAC Device?
Do you remember the last time you had to learn something new? What helped your learning the most, and what didn’t? Were there role models or teachers that supported you along the way? Learning new things takes time and practice, and learning how to use an AAC device to communicate is no exception. As you adjust to using technology with your child to help them express their ideas, focusing more on the teaching and less on the technology can help to increase success, and reduce overwhelm. To get started with teaching your child to use an AAC device, bring your patience, commit to the process, and consider the following steps to guide your learning, and teaching.
Read more