Supporting Young AAC Users in Virtual SLP Sessions
Working with young students who use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) in a virtual setting can be both rewarding and challenging.
A common hurdle many remote SLPs face is ensuring meaningful AAC use outside of therapy, especially when staff or parents feel overwhelmed or under-supported. Today, I’ll dive into practical strategies that have helped improve engagement and consistency of AAC use at home and in the classroom.
Example Challenge:
Your student has an AAC device but is not using it much outside of sessions. Their parents and teachers felt overwhelmed trying to support their communication needs without clear guidance or resources. Lack of meaningful practice limited your student’s functional language development.
Strategy 1: Staff/Parent Coaching with Video Modeling
How to implement:
Schedule regular coaching sessions: Set up meetings with parents to provide targeted support. These shouldn’t be long—15-20 minutes focused on specific goals work well.
Use embedded modeling: During coaching, share short video clips demonstrating how you model AAC use during therapy. For instance, you might show how you prompt your student to use “more” to request additional crayons or "help" to ask for assistance.
Interactive coaching: After sharing videos, discuss with staff/parents what they observed, why modeling is important, and how they can replicate it naturally during daily routines.
Problem-solve barriers: Use these sessions to listen to staff/parents’ concerns, brainstorm solutions, and celebrate small successes.
Follow-up: Send brief written summaries or quick tip sheets after each coaching session to reinforce strategies and encourage consistency.
Why it works: Parents gain confidence and practical skills to support AAC use during everyday moments. Video modeling makes abstract ideas concrete and encourages parents to see AAC as a natural communication tool rather than a “specialized” task only done in therapy.
Strategy 2: “Home Core Word of the Week” Program
How to implement:
Select 1-3 core words weekly: Pick high-frequency, functional words that fit the child’s communication needs (e.g., “want,” “go,” “more,” “help”).
Provide staff/parents with a simple “how-to guide”: This might include visuals of the core word on the child’s device, examples of ways to model it, and a list of daily activities for natural practice.
Encourage daily word use: Ask staff and parents to embed the target word into daily routines like snack time, play, or getting dressed. For example, encouraging “more” during meals or “go” during transitions.
Track progress collaboratively: Use a shared journal or checklist to note when the word was used meaningfully at home. Celebrate these wins in coaching sessions.
Rotate and repeat: Reinforce words over multiple weeks when needed, ensuring mastery and natural use.
Why it works: Focusing on one manageable set of words helps parents and children avoid overwhelm. Core words are powerful because they serve multiple functions and contexts, giving the child a versatile communication toolkit.
Strategy 3: Using Interactive Games to Model AAC Functions
How to implement:
Select games that require target communication: Choose games that prompt kids to request, comment, or get help, reinforcing words like “want,” “go,” “more,” and “help.”
Model AAC use during gameplay: During virtual sessions, demonstrate how to use the AAC device to express the targeted functions within the game. For instance, hitting “want” to ask for a turn or “help” if the puzzle is tricky.
Encourage turn-taking and interaction: Prompt the child to initiate requests or respond using their device during the game, making communication functional and fun.
Coach staff and parents on game use: Show parents how they can replicate these games across settings or use similar interactive activities to encourage AAC use.
Adapt difficulty: Adjust games to match the child’s communication level, ensuring success without frustration.
Why it works: Interactive games provide natural motivation and context for AAC use. The playful environment reduces pressure and makes communication purposeful, helping messages become more meaningful and frequent.
So, in conclusion…
Supporting young AAC users virtually requires creativity, patience, and strong collaboration with staff and families. By incorporating parent/staff coaching with embedded video modeling, focusing on manageable core word goals each week, and leveraging interactive, motivating games, SLPs can empower parents and increase meaningful AAC use across settings. Remember, progress may be gradual, but with consistent strategies and an upbeat partnership approach, we can help children find their voices!
