Implementing a new AAC device into somebody’s life can be challenging (to say the least!). It’s a huge change for them, their family and their everyday life. Implementation often fails and over the years I’ve found some strategies that reduce the risks of that happening
1. Introduce AAC as early as possible. I’m not kidding. The second someone is having difficulty communicating, AAC should be started. If someone had a stroke that caused mobility problems, the physiotherapist wouldn’t leave the person in bed if they couldn’t mobilise, they would introduce mobility aids, a hoist, a wheelchair or a standing aid, so that the person can start mobilising ASAP. AAC is the same! If the person cannot communicate, we shouldn’t just be working on speech, we should be helping the person to communicate more effectively. The sooner it’s introduced the better as people are then more accepting of it and get loads more practice using it. AAC should NOT be seen as a last resort, it should be the first priority with communication difficulties!
2. Try to keep the layout the same throughout, even as you add more items. For example, if the person is at a 2 picture choice level, don’t do 2 huge pictures, to then make them smaller and add more once they progress beyond that. Have just 2 on the page, but with plenty of empty squares to add more later, whilst keeping the original 2 in the exact same place. This is all about muscle memory and it’s key in using AAC. You’ll know yourself if you’ve ever moved the icons around on your phone and suddenly you keep pressing the wrong buttons, that’s muscle memory and it’s very important.
3. Train every man and his dog in how to use the AAC aid. The more people who know how to use it, the more people who WILL. Communication is a 2 way process and that counts for AAC too. The onus can’t ALL be on the user, there has to be some responsibility from the conversation partners too. Use the AAC aid during conversations, point and talk at the same time, use the device to steer conversations. It’s so so important that the person not only uses it themselves, but has other people normalise using it too. I always recommend setting up a conversation partner training session for anyone who will be communicating with the AAC user and going over the foundations of AAC. These training sessions also help to facilitate those all important conversations that AAC does NOT replace speech, but actually enhances and is shown to improve speech with regular use. Sessions could also include technical help and practical support, such as ensuring it’s charged daily or knowing where the spare copy is, just in case.
4. Finally, and I can’t stress this enough, PERSONALISE it! Personalisation is really what will take an AAC device from dusty and unused to attached to the person and falling apart because it’s used so frequently. Don’t just have present day or basic needs in there, make sure there’s a variety of things, including maps, holidays, jobs, family, favourite sayings, hobbies and everything else.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post. If you or anyone you know would benefit from AAC or needs a review of their AAC, please don’t hesitate to contact us here. We also provide specialist and personalised training around AAC.
