When Kids Aren’t Picking Up on AAC

When you’ve introduced AAC…but you feel like there’s no progress…what should you do?

Sometimes just getting a device in a child’s hand feels like a major win. But what do you do when you’ve been trying and trying with little success? 

AAC can be so overwhelming as it is, and when we aren’t seeing progress, it can feel defeating. 

Is it worth continuing? Or time for something else?

Today I’m going to share my top things to consider for when kids aren’t picking up on AAC.

1. Understand Their Past Experience With A Device

Often, well-intentioned communication partners use compliance-based approaches to encourage the child to use the device. For instance, they might say, "Tell me 'cookie' on your device, and I'll give you a cookie." However, this method doesn't increase the child's intrinsic motivation. To overcome resistance, we need to make modeling fun and using the device more intrinsically motivating.

2. Address Motor Planning Difficulties

Another reason a child might resist using their AAC device is if the grid is too large or if they have motor planning difficulties, making it harder to access the device. When all their energy goes into accessing the device, it leaves little room for actual communication. If the device has too many icons or the icons are too small, the child may find it overwhelming and stop using it altogether. 

3. Identify Their Sensory Needs

If a child is not regulated, their focus will be on meeting their sensory needs rather than using the device. Therefore, it’s crucial to be proactive, not just reactive, in addressing the child's sensory needs. Ensuring the child is comfortable and regulated will make them more receptive to using their AAC device.

I go over this more in my bestselling book Ready Set Connect: Essential Sensory Strategies for Autistic Kids. 

4. Focus On Building Communication Opportunities

Finally, if a child does not seem to be picking up on their AAC device, it's essential to evaluate how often we are creating opportunities for communication. Often, communication partners anticipate the child's needs and don't model on the device. To encourage use, we need to model on the device throughout the day and build in numerous opportunities for the child to use it. When modeling, ensure you're at the child's "just right" level, making sure they understand the words and not overwhelming them with too many words at once.

If you want to hear me talk about this in more detail, then make sure you check out this episode of my live show Making the Shift. 

>> Making the Shift, Episode 71, When Kids Aren’t Picking Up on AAC 

I’ve included an exclusive free handout with my top tips for recognizing when a child is not picking up on AAC in the caption of the video!