How do my family and I have conversations with my child who uses an AAC device?
When talking with individuals who use an AAC device to communicate, it is important to ask open-ended questions. Asking open-ended questions can allow the device user to flip through the pages to find what they want to say, and then load the phrase into their device. This allows the user to use their device to communicate, rather than just pointing to what they want. An important thing to remember is that while the device user is flipping through their device pages, allowing them time to find the information and load that information onto their device, is known as Wait Time.
Wait Time should be up to 45 seconds. This wait time allows the user to think about what they want to say, find it on their device (which may be on multiple pages) and then
input what they want to say. If the response time is longer than 45 seconds, you can either repeat your question or rephrase it. (During this time try not to answer the question
for them or finish their sentence.) If the user has still not responded after a second wait time, you can model to them where that correct answer would be.
When can my family start conversations and practice incorporating a Wait Time?
You can use Wait Time at any time, or for any activity. For example, if you are having snack time, you can ask your device user what snack they want and practice incorporating that 45 second wait time. If no response is given in the first or second 45 second wait time, you can present choices to your child and have them request it on their device. If your child begins to reach for their snack instead of using their device, this could be a good time to model and show them on their device where that preferred snack is. Modeling where a picture is on their device provides the user with the knowledge of where that picture is for next time. (If your child’s device does not contain a picture of a preferred item or task, feel free to ask your Speech Therapist at ALL CARE to add that into the device for you at your next visit!)
Sources:
https://www.assistiveware.com/blog/dos-and-donts-aac-use-aac-system https://www.canva.com/p/drawntoaac/
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