AAC Strategies for Children with Communication Difficulties

Last Updated on September 30, 2025 by John Hookway

Imagine your child has trouble saying what they need. This can happen at home or at school. You want every child to feel heard and included.

Studies show that AAC strategies for children with communication difficulties help kids with communication problems. These strategies help kids feel more confident and also assist them in joining in daily activities.

Parents and teachers have an important job; they teach and show kids how to communicate effectively. In the United States, almost 1 out of 5 students who need help use AAC. The chart below shows how AAC helps different groups of kids.

You can use simple steps to help kids talk better at home and school.

Key Takeaways

• AAC means Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It helps kids share what they need and feel when talking is hard.
• Use simple AAC tools like picture cards and boards. These tools are easy to use, cheap, and work well for many kids.
• Add AAC to everyday routines at home and school. Use it at meals, playtime, and family events to help kids learn.
• Show how to use AAC by using devices or picture boards. This helps kids see how to talk and feel part of the group.
• Support all ways of talking, like gestures and body language. Praise every time your child tries to communicate.
• Make AAC systems fit your child’s likes and needs. This helps make talking more fun and important for them.
• Make sure AAC tools are always easy to get. Keep devices and boards close at home, school, and when you go out.
• Work with teachers, therapists, and family to keep AAC use the same. Talking often helps your child do better.

What Is AAC?

AAC Defined

AAC means Augmentative and Alternative Communication. You use AAC to help kids talk when speech is hard for them. Experts say AAC adds to or replaces talking and writing for people who cannot speak or write well.

• AAC helps with both talking and writing.
• AAC lets you share thoughts, needs, feelings, and ideas.
• Augmentative means adding to speech. Alternative means using something else instead of speech.
• AAC makes speech easier to understand or gives another way to talk.

AAC works for kids of any age who have trouble speaking. A child might use AAC to ask for food, share feelings, or answer questions in class.

Types of AAC

AAC has many kinds. Some use tools or devices. Others use only the body. Here is a table to show the main types:

Low-Tech Options

Low-tech AAC does not need batteries or power. You can use picture cards, boards, or printed charts. Many families start with low-tech AAC because it is simple and cheap.

Low-tech AAC gives a quick way to help your child talk. It works for families with different backgrounds and reading levels.
Studies show low-tech AAC helps kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder ask for things. After some months, many kids use these tools to say what they want or need.

High-Tech Devices

High-tech AAC uses electronic devices. These can be tablets with special apps, speech devices, or computers.

• Some popular devices are Control Bionics and Tobii Dynavox. These use touch, eye gaze, or neuronode access.
• Devices can show pictures, letters, or scenes. When your child presses a button or looks at a picture, the device talks for them.

1. Picture tablets let your child press images to say words or sentences.
2. Alphabet devices use eye movement or buttons to make messages.
3. Tactile symbol buttons help kids share ideas by pressing symbols.
4. Visual scene displays use photos or drawings to build language skills.

Why AAC Matters

AAC is important for kids who have trouble talking. It gives them a way to share needs and ideas.

• AAC lets your child show feelings, wants, and thoughts.
• It helps build language and supports making friends.
• Using AAC can lower frustration and help your child join class activities.

AAC does not stop natural speech from growing. It can help kids talk more and use longer sentences.
Studies show AAC lowers worry and frustration. It helps kids learn and use language in new ways. When you use AAC, you give your child a voice and help them connect with others.

AAC Strategies for Children with Communication Difficulties

Always Available

You help your child most when AAC is always nearby. Kids need their tools at home, school, and while playing. Keeping AAC close shows your child their voice matters everywhere.

• Put AAC devices where your child can reach them.
• Hang picture boards on the fridge or classroom wall.
• Take AAC tools to the park, store, or family events.
• Use picture cards or devices during games at playtime.

Work with teachers and speech-language pathologists to set goals. Make sure AAC is always ready to use. Join training to learn how to use devices well.

Celebrate small wins and practice every day. If you see a problem, ask your support team for help. These steps make AAC strategies work better and help your child feel sure of themselves.

Model AAC Use

Kids learn best when you show them how to use AAC. You can use the device or picture board during daily routines.

Press the “eat” button at breakfast or point to “play” at recess. This teaches your child how to share ideas with AAC.

Friends also help a lot. When classmates use AAC, your child sees that everyone can communicate. Teachers and friends can show words like “good,” “fun,” or “not like” on the device. This helps your child learn new words and use them in real life.

Modeling AAC use is one of the most important strategies. It helps kids learn faster and feel included.

Encourage All Communication

You help your child by accepting every way they try to talk. This means gestures, signs, body language, and sounds. When you answer a wave, nod, or sound, you show your child that all ways of talking matter.

• Make a safe place for your child to use AAC, gestures, or words.
• Use AAC to show simple words like “like,” “help,” or “more.”
• Ask your child to use gestures like pointing, waving, or nodding.
• Accept sign language or body language as good ways to share ideas.

AAC strategies work best when you value every effort your child makes. You help build confidence and language skills by celebrating all ways your child communicates.

Personalize AAC

Each child is different. They have their own likes and challenges. You can help your child talk better by making their AAC system fit them.

Personalizing means you change the AAC tools for your child’s needs and interests. This helps your child feel good and sure when using their device or board.

Think about what your child likes most. If your child loves animals, add animal pictures or words to the AAC device. If your child likes certain foods, make those easy to find. You can use family photos, favorite places, or special activities too. These changes make talking more fun and special.

Let your child help pick symbols, pictures, or words for their AAC system. This makes them feel proud and want to use it more.

Personalizing is not done just once. Your child’s needs and skills will change as they grow. You should check the AAC system often and update it when your child learns new words or likes new things.

Work with teachers, speech-language pathologists, and other helpers to keep the system right for your child.

Here is a table that shows why personalizing matters:

You can do these steps to make AAC fit your child:

• Watch how your child uses AAC at home, school, or the playground.
• Talk with your child’s team to learn about their strengths and challenges.
• Update the AAC system as your child grows and learns new things.
• Make sure the system has words and pictures from your child’s daily life.
• Ask your child and others for ideas to make it better.

AAC Strategies for Children with Communication Difficulties work best when they match your child’s world. For example, one family added pictures of their dog and favorite park to the device.

The child used AAC more to talk about family trips. In school, a teacher added classroom routines and friends’ names to the AAC board. The student used it to join group activities and make new friends.

AAC Strategies for Children with Communication Difficulties should always show your child’s personality and changing needs. When you make AAC fit your child, you help them talk better and connect with others in important ways.

AAC at Home

Daily Routines

You can use AAC every day at home. Try using AAC during normal activities. This helps your child learn that talking happens everywhere.

Mealtime

Mealtime is a good time to practice talking. You can teach words like “eat,” “more,” “finished,” “choose,” or “help” with AAC. Put picture cards or symbols on the table.

Ask your child to use AAC to ask for food or say “thank you.” They can also tell you when they are done. Show these words during meals so your child learns how to use AAC.

Play

Playtime helps your child learn new words. Use AAC to name toys or ask for turns. You can share feelings like “happy” or “fun.”

Let your child pick which game to play or what toy to use. When you play together, show how to use AAC to say “my turn,” “again,” or “stop.” This makes play fun and helps your child learn language.

Family Time

Family time brings everyone together. Use AAC when you watch TV, read books, or go for walks. Ask your child to talk about what they see or hear.

Put pictures around the house to help your child talk more. Celebrate every time your child uses AAC, even if it is small.

Here is a table with ways to use AAC at home:

Language-Rich Environment

You can fill your home with words and pictures. Label things with symbols or words. Use AAC to talk about what you see or do.

Ask your child to use AAC to ask questions or share ideas. When you show how to use AAC, your child learns that talking is important everywhere.

Involving Family

Family support helps your child a lot. Get everyone to use AAC, even siblings and grandparents. You can:

• Use AAC during family times, like telling jokes at dinner or talking about a movie.
• Make game nights a time to use AAC, with words like “turn,” “win,” or “lose.”
• Ask your child to use AAC during video calls with family.
• Teach all family members, like dads and siblings, so everyone knows how to use AAC.
• Siblings are important. Their help can make your child better at talking.

When everyone helps, your child feels good and wants to use AAC more at home.

AAC in School

Classroom Access

You help students use their AAC system in class. Put AAC devices where students can reach them. Make sure students use their tools during lessons and breaks. Treat the AAC device like the student’s voice. Wait for students to finish talking before moving on.

Some good ways to help with classroom access are:

• Teach students how to talk with their partners.
• Get the whole class to learn about AAC.
• Treat the AAC device as the student’s voice.
• Respect privacy by looking away from the screen sometimes.
• Let students finish their message before changing topics.
• Check to make sure you understand what students say.
• Give choices so students can share what they want.
• Let students lead talks and finish their ideas.
• Try new ways if a student has trouble talking.
• Check often to see if the student or AAC system needs changes.

When you treat the AAC device as a voice, you help students trust you and feel confident.

Peer Interaction

Friends help AAC users get better at talking. Teach all students how to talk with AAC users. Make the classroom a place where everyone feels welcome.

Studies show that friends help AAC users talk more and make friends. These talks help students learn new ways to share ideas.

Teach both AAC users and their friends how to talk together. Change the classroom so it is easy for students to work together. Use ways that make all students feel equal.

Research shows that good peer talks need many skills. Students need to use language, work their devices, and show social skills. When you help with these skills, AAC users join in and make friends.

Staff Collaboration

School staff working together helps AAC users do better. Work with teachers, aides, and therapists to help students.

Training helps everyone learn how to support AAC in different places. Planning for each student’s needs helps them reach their goals.

Staff groups let people share ideas and learn together. You can join a club or group to talk about AAC. Working as a team gives students better support.

Meeting often and talking with staff keeps AAC support strong and helpful.

Adapting Materials

You can help students who use AAC by changing classroom materials. These changes make learning easier and more fun for everyone. Students get more chances to join in and show what they know.

Look at your daily routines first. Think about each part of the day. Decide what you want students to do or say. Match these tasks with the right AAC tools and messages.

For example, during greeting time, students might say hello or share their names. You can use a BIGMack device with a greeting. You can also use a picture board with names and feelings.

Here is a table that shows ways to change classroom routines for AAC users:

You can make materials better for AAC by using simple changes:

• Add symbols or pictures to worksheets and books.
• Use voice output devices for repeated story phrases.
• Put “help” or “more” symbols in every classroom area.
• Give choices with picture boards during activities.

Ask students what words or pictures they want on their AAC devices. This helps them feel included and excited to use their tools.

Work with your team to update materials as students learn new skills. Try to keep AAC devices ready for every lesson. When you plan ahead, every student can take part.

Adapting materials is not hard. Small changes can make a big difference. You help students feel sure and show what they know. Using AAC tools all day helps everyone learn and share ideas.

Choosing the Right AAC System

Assessing Needs

You want your child to have the best chance to communicate. To do this, you need to start with a careful assessment. This step helps you understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and preferences.

Speech-language pathologists often use special tools to learn about your child’s communication skills. These tools help you see what your child can do and what support they need.

Some common assessment tools include:

• AAC Genie: This app checks vocabulary knowledge and how your child uses symbols.
• Communication Matrix: This tool tracks your child’s communication skills over time.
• Dynamic AAC Goals Grid – 2 (DAAG-2): This resource helps you find skill areas and track progress.
• Functional Communication Profile – Revised: This profile shows your child’s abilities in different language areas.
• MOSAIC: This model uses observation to screen how your child interacts and communicates.
• AAC Profile: This tool measures how well your child uses AAC in daily life.
• MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories: These checklists let you report on your child’s language growth.
• Quick AAC Developmental Profile: This tool helps you analyze language samples from AAC use.

You can work with your child’s team to choose the right tools. These assessments give you a clear picture of what your child needs from an AAC system.

Matching Goals

You want the AAC system to fit your child’s goals. Each child has unique needs and dreams. You should look at what your child wants to say and where they want to use AAC. Involving family and caregivers helps you understand your child’s daily life and routines.

When you match an AAC system to your child, consider these points:

• Focus on your child’s personal communication goals.
• Include family, teachers, and other partners in the process.
• Think about where and how your child will use AAC.
• Look at your child’s specific needs, such as motor skills or vision.

You help your child succeed when you choose a system that matches their world. For example, if your child loves to share stories, you can add story-related symbols. If your child needs to ask for help at school, you can make sure those words are easy to find.

Keep checking your child’s progress. You may need to update the AAC system as your child grows and learns new things.

Training and Resources

You play a key role in helping your child use AAC every day. Training gives you the skills to support your child at home and school. Many resources are available for parents and educators.

You can also find:

• AAC strategy handouts from projects like Colorado IMPAACT.
• Remote parent training sessions with helpful printables.
• Articles that show how communication devices support speech.

You help your child most when you learn and practice together. Training builds your confidence and helps your child use AAC in every part of life.

Overcoming Challenges

Addressing Resistance

Some kids or adults may not want to use AAC at first. There are many reasons for this. Kids change what they like and need often.

Their AAC system might need updates a lot. Adults can feel sad if they lose speech quickly. This makes it hard for them to use AAC.

People may resist AAC for different reasons:

• Kids change what they like, so you need to check AAC tools often.
• Adults may feel upset after losing speech.
• Some professionals do not know much about AAC.
• Some people think AAC is bad or strange.
• Devices can break or not have the right words.
• Users or caregivers may not feel excited to use AAC.

To help, make sure the AAC system fits the person’s needs. It should be able to change as they grow. Work with your child and family to pick the best device.

Set goals that are possible and give enough time to reach them. Training helps users and caregivers feel ready and sure. When everyone helps, trust and acceptance grow.

Celebrate small wins and update the AAC system when your child’s needs change. This keeps everyone excited and shows that talking is important.

Troubleshooting Devices

AAC devices can sometimes make kids feel upset. A child may throw the device or not want to use it. These actions show that something is wrong and needs fixing.

Try these steps when there are problems:

• Watch for patterns. Throwing or avoiding the device means something is wrong.
• Look for what happens before the problem starts.
• Use the AAC device to talk about feelings. Ask your child what happened.
• Make social stories. These help explain actions and teach better ways to act.
• Get ready for problems. Use a strong case, save data, and keep low-tech tools nearby.
• Ask for help if you cannot fix the device. Many apps and devices have support teams.

If you stay calm and look for answers, you show your child that problems can be fixed. This helps build trust and keeps talking going.

Ensuring Consistency

Consistency is very important for AAC to work well. You help your child most when everyone uses the same steps at home, school, and therapy.

You can keep things steady by:

• Working with teachers and therapists to use AAC the same way everywhere.
• Sharing what works between home and school.
• Using a notebook or app to keep everyone updated.
• Keeping word placement and routines the same. This helps your child learn faster and feel sure.
• Not changing the AAC system too much. Too many changes can confuse your child and slow learning.
• Using set routines and the same words in different places.

When you keep routines steady and share information, your child gets better at using AAC. Consistency helps your child trust their AAC system and use it every day with confidence.

Collaboration and Support

Working with Professionals

You do not have to help your child alone. Many people can help you and your child. When you work together, you build a strong team.

Your AAC team may include:

• Family and caregivers, like friends, aunts, cousins, and siblings
• School staff, such as teachers, special educators, and aides
• Occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT), and speech-language pathologists (SLP)
• Communication partners, like friends and classmates
• Paid staff and healthcare workers

Each person has special skills. The SLP usually leads AAC planning and training. Teachers and aides help your child use AAC in school.

Family members help your child use AAC at home and in the community. When everyone works together, your child gets the best help.

Ask questions and share your thoughts with the team. Talking openly helps everyone know what your child needs.

Building a Team

A good AAC team works well when everyone knows their job. You can build a strong team by doing a few easy things:

• Welcome the SLP into the classroom and set clear rules.
• Speak up for your needs and talk about any problems.
• Be honest about AAC, even if things are hard.
• Learn what the SLP does and how they help with AAC.

You can also use these steps to organize your team:

1. Make sure everyone knows their job and who should come to meetings.
2. Pick a time and place that works for all.
3. Make a plan for meetings so everyone can join in.

Regular team meetings help everyone stay updated. These meetings let you solve problems and share ideas. You can meet in person or online. When you make time for meetings, your team gets stronger and your child does better.

Sharing Progress

Sharing your child’s progress helps the team support them. You can use different ways to keep everyone updated and involved.

You can celebrate every step your child takes, even small ones. When you share updates and wins, your child feels proud. You also give the team new ideas to help your child grow. By working together, you make sure your child’s voice is always heard.

You can help your child do well with AAC. Make sure AAC tools are easy to get. Show your child how to use AAC when talking. Use AAC in daily routines for practice.

• Keep AAC tools close at home and school.
• Show your child AAC during real moments.
• Use AAC every day to help your child learn.

Try one or two strategies first. Watch your child improve. Share your story or ask for help. You are not alone!

FAQ

What does AAC stand for?

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. You use AAC when speech is hard or not possible. AAC helps you share ideas, needs, and feelings in many ways.

Can AAC slow down my child’s speech development?

No, AAC does not slow speech. Research shows AAC can help your child talk more. You support speech by using AAC together with spoken words.

How do I choose the best AAC system for my child?

You work with a speech-language pathologist to assess your child’s needs. You look at your child’s skills, interests, and daily routines. The team helps you pick the right system.

Does my child need to use AAC all the time?

You encourage AAC use as much as possible. Your child learns best when AAC is always available. You use AAC during daily routines, play, and school activities.

What if my child refuses to use their AAC device?

You stay patient and positive. You model AAC use and celebrate small steps. You check if the device fits your child’s needs. You ask your team for ideas if problems continue.

Can siblings and friends use AAC too?

Yes! You teach siblings and friends to use AAC. This helps your child feel included. You create a supportive environment where everyone communicates together.

How do I keep AAC consistent between home and school?

You share information with teachers and therapists. You use the same words and routines in both places. You keep everyone updated with a notebook or app.

Where can I find more AAC resources?

You can visit websites like the AAC Language Lab or ask your speech-language pathologist for guides and videos. Many schools and clinics offer training and support for families.