1. This document provides guidance and strategies for implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in classroom settings. It discusses using communication boards, color-coding systems, visual supports, descriptive labels, teaching core vocabulary words, and engaging peers to support students using AAC. 2. Tips are provided for creating inclusive environments, such as training paraprofessionals and peers, adapting lessons, and finding creative solutions for different settings like field trips. 3. Educators are encouraged to develop an action plan for implementing AAC that addresses training needs, physical environment changes, materials, and goals.

1. CLASSROOM AAC
IMPLEMENTATION
KATE AHERN, M.S.ED.
AAC BOOTCAMP
AUGUST 2014

2. CLASSROOM
NATURAL AIDED LANGUAGE
COMMUNICATION BOARDS/SYSTEMS
1.Using posters (make at an
office store) or decals
(CafePress will make them) or
just enlarged photocopies
you can have a classroom
sized communication board
for modeling
2.Using a projector or
smartboard you can display a
communication app or
software for use for modeling

3. CLASSROOM DISPLAYS
WHICH ONE? BOTH? HOW DO YOU CHOOSE?
Array of Velcro Symbols Core Language Display

4. VISUAL SUPPORTS FOR AAC
• Visual Supports
• Cheat Sheet
• Road maps that show how to
get to words on the device
• “Smart Sticks”
• Category symbols glued to
sticks to be shown to cue
where to find certain words
• Reminder Bracelets
• Category/word combinations
to find vocabulary mounted
to a bracelet
• No Naked Switches!
• Be Creative with Visual Supports!

5. COLOR CODING AS VISUAL SUPPORT
• Three commonly used color codes in
USA
• Fitzgerald Key
• Avaz App
• TouchChat (not Word Power)
• Modified Fitzgerald Key
• Tobii LiterAACy
• Tobii Sonoflex
• PRC Unity
• Speak for Yourself App
• Dynavox Gateway
• Gus Tablet
• Goosen, Crain and Elder System
• Proloquo2Go

6. COLOR CODING AS VISUAL SUPPORT
• Use to give visual or verbal cues/hints
(You need a green action word to make
that a sentence. Can you add a blue
description word to make your sentence
more meaningful?)
• You can use the color codes as you talk
through your Aided Language
Stimulation, “Ok, I need an action word,
green, get.”
• You can play adapted versions of Silly
Sentences and Mad Libs using the color
codes as supports
• You can do sorting activities to teach
parts of speech and review color codes

7. VISUAL SUPPORTS FOR ADULTS
• Posters and flyers as reminders or inspiration
• Avoid “wall paper” where people see that
something is hanging up but don’t look at it by using
bright colors, changing displays and putting up new
materials
• Provide instructions or staff goals
• Remind staff of priorities

8. DESCRIPTIVE CLASSROOM LABELS
• Label the room with pictures symbols AND related
core words
• Use the descriptive language to add information as
you move about the room, pointing as you go
• Encourage peers, visitors and others to use the
descriptive labels
• Color code descriptive labels by part of speech –
especially if AAC users’ systems are color coded
• Think about things like if students and adults can
reach to model with the labels
• Play games, such as scavenger hunt, where
students try to find the words on labels on their
device/system or they try to find the word in the
room (modification of “read the room”)

9. WORD OF THE WEEK AND BEYOND
• Choose 1 to 5 core words per week to focus on
• Make it fun! Scream when you hear or use the
word. Give point to those who use it most!
• Pair the words with the symbols and location of
symbols in the device
• Practice spelling the word
• Make personal glossarys
• Move completed WOWs to a word wall
• Use video modeling to teach use of the words
with devices and meanings of complex words
like adjectives and verbs
• But remember – if you ONLY teach one to five
words a week it will take between five and a half
to 27 school years to teach the top 1000 words –
so keep modeling!

10. PEERS (AND SIBLINGS)

11. PEER POWER
• Teach peers about augmentative
communication
• Engage empathy about how difficult it must be
to learn a language NO ONE ELSE is using
• Have an extra communication system for peers
to use or a classroom display, or (with the AAC
user’s permission) allow them to share their
display
• Have peers help pick “cool” words/phrases to
program on devices
• Be sure AAC users have vocabulary about special
interests and popular culture – you can’t bond
over Glee, One Direction or Dr. Who if you can’t
talk about those things!
• Have peers help choose jokes and comments for
devices
• Have peers record voices on devices
• Keep age appropriate books about AAC users in
classroom library
• Remind peers that invitations to birthday parties
and special events are important for ALL their
friends
• With parent permission share the child’s phone
number with peers who have a special bond
• Most AAC devices have cameras – older peers
can help organize, save and arrange photos
taken by the user

13. INCLUSION ENVIRONMENTS

14. PUTTING COMMUNICATION FIRST
• GenEd Teachers expect the communication
system to be in use
• Peers are trained – best advocates and
communication coaches EVER!
• Communication goals are embedded into lesson
design
• Curriculum is adapted ahead of time
• Paraprofessionals know when to support and
when to give space – because we train them
• Paraprofessionals are NOT responsible for being
the liaison between SpEd and GenEd

15. IDEAS FOR INCLUSION IMPLEMENTATION
• Assign the AAC user homework to prepare one
or more “important answers” on their devices, if
needed make it into a button or record on a
switch for easy play back
• This can be done on the go as well – i.e. before
reading the story quietly tell the AAC user what
their question will be after
• Use descriptive teaching method
• Help inclusion teachers use descriptive teaching
method
• Prepare consistent assignments that encourage
AAC exploration and use for the AAC user

16. CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
• Field trips, gym class, swimming/adaptive
aquatics and other locations may call for creative
solutions
• Use low tech if you can – laminate or use
waterproof/tear proof paper
• Other ideas
• Print manual communication boards on tee
shirts or bags (iron on or order online)
• Make bracelets, key chains or other
accessories for core words and/or visual
supports
• Temporary tattoos are great for swimming,
water parks and walks in the rain

17. BACK TO SCHOOL AAC ACTION PLAN
• What changes will you make to the physical
environment?
• What changes will you make to materials?
• How will you train:
• Paraprofessionals
• Peers
• General educators
• Administrators
• Nurses
• Others
• What do you need to ask your administrator to
support?
• How will you engage a community to support
you as you try new things? (Join online groups?
Buddy up with another therapist or teacher?
Enlist a parent to make materials?)
• What are your top three goals, as of right now,
for implementing AAC this year?