Tap AACAAC guides
Plain-language guides to AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) for families, teachers and caregivers: what AAC is and the myths about it, AAC evaluations, speech-generating devices and how to pay for one, how to make a board and choose an app, how to teach AAC at home and at school, from toddlers to autistic adults and adults after a stroke, with ALS or dementia, in the hospital and in an emergency. Each guide links its sources and the free printables that go with it.
Start here
New to AAC? The basics, the common myths, paper boards and choosing an app.
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What is AAC? A plain-language guide for families
What the letters mean, the kinds of AAC, who uses it, and six first steps.
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AAC myths and facts: 10 common myths, and what the research says
Ten things people believe about AAC, and what research and professional guidance say instead.
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Low-tech AAC: choosing and using boards, books and cards
Boards, books and cards with no batteries: which to choose, and how to use them every day.
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How to choose an AAC app: questions to ask before you buy
Start with the person, try before you buy, and the questions to ask about any app.
Evaluations, devices and paying for AAC
What happens in an AAC evaluation, what a speech-generating device is, and how to get one paid for in the US.
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What is an AAC evaluation? What to expect, and how to prepare
Who does it, what they look at, trying devices, how to prepare and what to ask.
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What is a speech-generating device? Dedicated devices and tablets compared
Recorded and computer voices, dedicated devices versus apps on a tablet, and what Medicare covers.
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How to get an AAC device: Medicaid, Medicare, insurance and school
The evaluation first, then Medicaid, Medicare, insurance, the school or a state loan program (US).
At home and out and about
Modeling, waiting and responding, setting up the house, helping the whole family, and planning for emergencies.
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How to teach a child to use AAC: model, wait and respond
Modeling, waiting and responding in depth, with examples, and what to do when it isn’t working.
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AAC at home: setting up the house, and helping the whole family
Where the device and boards live, room by room, and how siblings, grandparents and sitters can help.
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AAC in an emergency: a plan, a card, and tips for first responders
Texting 911, an “I use AAC” card, a charged device and a paper backup, and tips for responders.
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AAC modeling at home
Five habits for families, with a free one-page handout for the fridge.
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How to teach core words: a week-by-week plan
One focus word at a time, modeled in real routines, with free word cards and weekly plans.
Toddlers and young children
When to start, autism and visual supports, apraxia of speech and Down syndrome.
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AAC for toddlers: when to start, and how to begin at home
Starting before your child talks: one routine, a few words, modeling and early intervention.
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AAC and autism: answers to common parent questions
Will AAC stop my child from talking? Is my child ready? How do I start?
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Visual supports for autism at home: schedules, choices and timers
Schedules, first-then boards, choice boards, timers and labels, and how to start at home.
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AAC and childhood apraxia of speech: what parents should know
Speech therapy first, AAC alongside it, and what to do when your child isn’t understood.
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AAC and Down syndrome: signs, pictures and speech apps
Understanding more than they can say: signs, pictures and speech apps, and how to start.
At school
The classroom, the IEP and break cards.
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AAC at school: how teachers can support a student who uses AAC
Modeling in lessons, wait time, better questions, classmates, and the IEP.
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AAC and the IEP: what parents can ask for
What IDEA says about assistive technology, and what to ask about evaluations, goals, home use and training.
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How to teach a child to use a break card
Practicing when calm, and making it easy to come back.
When pointing is hard
Touch, switches, eye gaze and partner-assisted scanning.
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AAC and cerebral palsy: touch, switches, eye gaze and partner-assisted scanning
Ways to choose when pointing is hard: touch, switches, eye gaze and partner-assisted scanning.
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Using an eye gaze board
On the eye gaze board’s page: spelling with the eyes, and partner-assisted scanning, step by step.
Adults, autism, stroke, dementia and hospital
Autistic adults, after a stroke, with ALS or MND, talking with someone who has aphasia, aids for dementia, and communicating at the bedside, for families, nurses and care staff.
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AAC for adults: after a stroke, with ALS or MND, and in the hospital
After a stroke, with ALS or MND, and in the hospital: what helps, and when to plan.
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AAC for autistic adults, including adults who can speak
Part-time AAC when speech is unreliable, what adults use, and setting it up for daily life.
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How to talk with someone who has aphasia: 12 tips for family and friends
Twelve tips for family and friends, easier questions, and what to do when you’re stuck.
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Communication aids for dementia: picture cards, boards, memory books and tips
Picture cards, memory books, labels and calendars, and tips for talking together.
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How to communicate with nonverbal patients: a guide for nurses and care staff
For nurses and care staff: yes and no, boards, the patient’s own AAC, questions and handover.
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Using a communication board in the hospital
On the hospital board’s page: yes and no, asking about pain, and spelling with a patient who can’t speak.
Making and using boards
Making your own board, core word boards, first-then boards, visual schedules, and putting a board on the tablet.
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How to make a communication board: a step-by-step guide
Choosing the words, the layout and the pictures, then printing, laminating and using it.
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What is a core word board?
Core words versus fringe words, and why each word keeps its spot on the board.
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How to use a first-then board
Seven simple steps, and what to try when it isn’t working.
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How to make and use a visual schedule
Seven steps, from choosing a routine to teaching it and marking each step done.
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How to add a free board to Tap AAC (and other apps that open .obz files)
Download the board file on the tablet, import it from the Page library, and find the new page.
About these guides
These guides are written by LMNOP LABS LLC, the small company that makes the Tap AAC app and the free printable boards on this site. Each guide is based on the sources listed at its end: professional guidance for speech-language pathologists, US and UK government health and education pages (for the IEP guide, the federal special education regulations and the US Department of Education’s guidance; for the guides on paying for AAC and on emergencies, Medicare and Medicaid rules and guidance from ADA.gov, the FCC and Ready.gov), and published research (the board file how-to also cites the file format’s own site and Android help pages). Where a guide gives an example of a person, the example is made up to show the idea.
They are general information, not medical, therapy or legal advice. A speech-language pathologist who knows the person is the right person for decisions about their communication. If you spot a mistake, please email support@lmnoplabs.fun and we’ll fix it.
Free printables that go with the guides
- Free printable AAC boardsCore words, yes and no, choices, routines, feelings, and boards for adults and the hospital, as US Letter and A4 PDFs, each with an Add to Tap AAC board file.
- Core words and handouts52 core word cards, a modeling handout for parents, and a core word of the week plan.
- Free AAC board makerMake your own board, choice board or visual schedule, and print it.
- Free visual schedule makerOpen a ready-made routine, change the steps and pictures, and print it.
These guides are general information, not medical, therapy or legal advice, and they don’t replace a speech-language pathologist who knows the person. The example boards and pictures are free to print and share under our terms of use. Spotted a mistake, or have a question? Email support@lmnoplabs.fun.