Birthday party communication board: free AAC printable

Who it’s for

Children who use pictures or a speech device, going to a friend’s birthday party or having their own, at home, at school or at a party place. Parties are loud, busy and full of unwritten rules (sing now, wait for the cake, watch the presents), and that can be hard for any child, talking or not.

How to use it

1. Go through page 2 the day before. Point to each step and talk about it: “First we say hi, then you give the present.” Cross out what won’t happen at this party.
2. Practice the greeting. Point to Happy birthday! together, and to how old are you?, a question a friend can answer with their fingers.
3. Agree on a break plan before you go, from the When it’s too much row: a quiet spot, headphones, a few minutes outside. Ask the host where the quiet place is.
4. Bring the board in a sleeve, and stay near enough to help without hovering. Point to my turn and your turn during games.
5. Leave on a good note. Thank you and bye before the end can be better than staying until it’s too much.

When it’s their own birthday

At their own party, a person who uses AAC should get to talk as much as anyone. Put the badge It’s my birthday! on them, with their age written in: it starts conversations. Practice thank you and open it for the presents, and give them a real choice beforehand: which cake, which games, who to invite. The second badge, Happy birthday, with a line for a name, is for a brother, sister or friend to wear, or for a guest to give the birthday child.

When it gets too much

Singing, balloons popping and a room full of excited children can overwhelm anyone. Answer too loud and I need a break at once, and go to the quiet spot you found earlier. After a short break, a child may be ready to come back for the cake. If allergies are a worry, talk to the host about the food before the day.

What’s on the board

Talk

• Happy birthday!
• hi
• how old are you?
• thank you
• my turn
• your turn
• wait
• wow
• I like it
• more
• too loud
• I need a break

At the party

• cake
• candles
• blow
• sing
• presents
• open it
• balloons
• party hat
• piñata
• games
• dance
• ice cream

Friends and food

• friends
• hug
• high five
• pizza
• juice
• bye

Going to a party and when it’s too much (page 2)

• say hi
• give the present
• play games
• sing Happy Birthday
• candles
• eat cake
• presents
• say bye
• a break
• headphones
• outside
• a hug
• a quiet spot
• go home

Printing tips

• Print the badges on card stock, and tape a safety pin or a loop of tape to the back.
• Laminate page 1 and slip it into the gift bag, ready at the door.
• For saying hello and small talk, use the greetings and conversation board; for a planned break, the break card; for December parties, the holiday board; and for a Halloween party or trick-or-treating, the Halloween board.
• Grown-ups at the party may be new to AAC: what AAC is, in plain language, is a short read to share.