AAC Communication Starter BUNDLE w/ BONUS AAC Device Tags

These resources provide a strong foundation to begin Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention! This bundle combines my favorite AAC resources: AAC Therapy Principles & Communicative Competenciesand AAC Skill Inventory, Goals and Data Collection as well as *BONUS 3 RESOURCES* AAC Device Classroom Reminder Set-- Black & White, Pastel, andBrights. This product is packed with information about the foundations of and implementation of AAC communication to share with therapists, teachers, families, classroom support staff, and other related professionals.

As per the American Speech Language Hearing Association (Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), 2022), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) means: “all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking.” Specifically, “Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech.” For non-speaking individuals who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices, they have the right to unlimited access to all forms of communication available to them, such as switches, low-tech conversation boards, and high-tech communication devices. 

Increasing numbers of individuals across all ages, abilities, and demographics are accessing and using AAC in order to interact with, participate in, and enact change within their homes, schools, work, and communities.  AAC can look different for everyone!  AAC users are diverse and include but are not limited to those with autism, cerebral palsy, genetic syndromes, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, hearing impairment, stroke, and head injury. 

With more and more individuals needing AAC to communicate across contexts, it is important to educate members of their teams, including families, teachers and support staff, and other related professionals.   However, there can be limited teacher-and-parent-friendly resources to educate conversation partners about AAC, as well as resources to educate speech-language therapists transitioning to AAC intervention.  

Additionally, for non-speaking individuals who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices, they have the right to unlimited access to all forms of communication available to them, such as switches, low-tech conversation boards and high-tech communication devices. Oftentimes, they require additional support in order to access those AAC devices, such as caregivers and teachers.  

However, in the classroom and at home, we all know things can get hectic, and we all need little reminders here and there in order to ensure we are doing everything we can to increase access to AAC devices, and have them readily available and within reach.  

This FIVE RESOURCE AAC BUNDLE is designed to introduce principles of therapeutic intervention for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) communicators, facilitate understanding of the purpose of AAC, enhance understanding of areas of Communicative Competence as related to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) communicators, and provides: 

This resource provides: 

• Color and black-and-white informational handouts about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)  utilizing professional language, definitions, and examples for caregivers, teachers, and related professionals 
• Color and black-and-white Communication Bill of Rights for caregivers, teachers, and related professionals 
• Color and black-and-white informational handouts about the 5 Communicative Competencies to guide the development of intervention and therapy plans 
• Provide introductory information about the intersection of AAC and Bilingualism, Gestalt Language Processors, and Social Media use
• Glossary of professional terms related to Communicative Competence skills and AAC
• Print-and-Go Communicative Competency Skills Inventory to identify strengths and areas of need when creating AAC intervention goals
• Print-and-Go Long-Term Goal ideas considering areas of Communicative Competence when initiating AAC intervention
• Data collection sheets to collect meaningful quantitative data and qualitative data by analyzing skills related to the 5 communicative competencies 

This resource can be used for preschool, school-aged, and adolescent AAC communicators.  Overall, this resource is designed to encourage communication autonomy and assist our student’s ability to communicate freely! 

If you like this product, please leave a review and visit my website www.jessicanicoslp.com for additional information about speech-language therapy! If you feel that there is room for improvement in product creation, please let me know so that I can make the necessary changes. 

Thank you for your support!