What is Simple AAC?
Posted on November 9, 2022
What is Simple AAC?
Simple AAC is a framework of strategies for communication partners, to help an AAC learner develop their skills.
The internet is full of a wealth of information on AAC which can sometimes be overwhelming. Simple AAC catalogues these big ideas in a way that is easy to understand.
To celebrate AAC Awareness Month, during October we created a series of videos on each strategy, which you can watch below alongside a brief description.
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Show
Lead by example. Showing AAC learners how they can use symbols to communicate is one of the best things you can do to support their learning.
Interesting
Make sure to capture and retain the AAC learner’s attention start with their interests and make learning fun.
Months and months
Remember, AAC learners need more time to think about what they want to say, give them the opportunity to respond before you prompt them again.
Pause
Remember, AAC learners need more time to think about what they want to say, give them the opportunity to respond before you prompt them again.
Language
We often see people start with teaching AAC users how to ask for things they want, but there are so many more reasons for talking!
Explore
Let users explore their device, it’s a natural response, especially for a new user.
Add Words
Support an AAC user by providing cues to help them elaborate on what they are saying.
Always Available
Having some form of AAC always available, whether high-tech or paper-based, can help users learn to communicate more quickly.
Comment
Feedback to your learner with comments rather than questions to relieve the pressure for them to form a response.
Getting started
Explore the 9 strategies of our Simple AAC framework and how to get started, in our Simple AAC webinar:
Download and print your own Simple AAC poster, so you can quickly remind yourself of each strategy.
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