AAC: Giving Every Child a Voice

If your child isn't speaking yet, or is hard to understand, you're not alone in this. Many families come to us worried and wondering what comes next. One answer we often explore together is AAC.

AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It simply means any way a child shares their thoughts besides spoken words. That can be pictures, a communication board, a tablet with an app, signs, or gestures.

The most common worry we hear is, "Will AAC stop my child from talking?" The research says no. AAC does not hold speech back. For many children it lowers frustration, builds language, and can encourage spoken words. When a child can finally say "more," "stop," or "my turn," they feel heard, and that confidence matters.

Here is what AAC can look like at home:

- Picture cards for favorite foods, toys, and activities

- A simple board with core words like "go," "want," "more," and "help"

- A talking app on a tablet that your child can tap

You don't need to be an expert to start. A few small habits help:

1. Use the tool yourself. Point to the pictures or buttons as you talk, so your child sees how it works. Model model model!

2. Keep it short and repeat it. Familiar words, used again and again, are how children learn.

3. Give your child time to respond. A pause can feel long, but it gives them room to try.

4. Celebrate every attempt. A tap, a point, or a look all count as communication.

Every child is different, so the best system is the one that fits your child, your family, and your daily routine. That is why we take an individualized, evidence-based approach, and we meet each child where they are.