There is a wealth of information and materials for you on our website, so you may be asking yourself, "Where in the world do I start?" No worries, we've got you! This is the first stop in your training! In this unit we will be answering some primary questions to get you started!
Our specialized training hub dedicated to supporting communication success in Early Intervention in the home and our preschool classrooms
AAC Partner Strategy Kits are engaging posters/handouts, descriptions and short videos explaining and modeling techniques for you to use to help your student be willing, and able to communicate using their AAC system!
5 steps to move from training to talking, give you a clear path for you and your student learner. Learning to communicate is a shared journey between the learner and their partners, and that makes sense! Communication is a shared activity between two people. It is the means for us to make connections, meet our needs, engage socially, participate in shared experiences, and bridge the gap between our experiences and sharing these their partners.
For individuals with complex physical and communication challenges, auditory scanning provides an accessible way to interact with communication devices and digital tools. This technique, often paired with switch scanning, allows users to select messages or commands by listening to spoken prompts and activating a switch at the appropriate time.
In this post, we’ll explore:
Auditory scanning is an access method used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) where options are presented auditorily instead of visually. This technique is essential for individuals with visual impairments, motor challenges, or cognitive difficulties that make direct selection difficult.
In an auditory scan, a list of words, phrases, or categories is read aloud in sequence. The user listens and activates a switch when they hear the desired option. There are two primary types:
Live voice scanning is a human-assisted version of auditory scanning, where a communication partner reads choices aloud instead of using a synthesized voice from an AAC device. This method is particularly helpful for beginners, providing a natural rhythm, flexible pacing, and increased engagement.
Live voice scanning can be beneficial when:
Key strategies for live voice scanning:
(For a more detailed guide on teaching live voice scanning, see Auditory Scanning Teaching Guide [12].)
Ian Bean’s Switch Progression Road Map provides a structured learning path for individuals using switches to control AAC and digital tools. This step-by-step approach ensures users develop both motor and cognitive skills needed for effective switch use.
(For a full breakdown of switch progression, download Switch Progression Road Map here [11].)
If you're looking for practical tools, activities, and training materials to support switch learning, check out these resources:
Auditory scanning and switch access are powerful tools for communication and learning. By combining structured switch training with personalized live voice scanning, users can develop independent communication skills at their own pace.
For professionals and families working with AAC users:
Do you have experience teaching auditory scanning or switch progression? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This training topic introduces auditory scanning and live voice scanning as essential access methods for AAC users, alongside a structured switch progression roadmap by Ian Bean. It outlines key scanning techniques, practical teaching strategies, and provides downloadable resources for switch learning, including the SENICT Resource Portal for interactive activities.
Each of our robust communication systems has it's own way of organizing the words and messages on the different pages. In this training we are looking at each of the more common AAC applications and exploring how the words and messages are categorized so you can easily find them!
Proloquo2Go is a robust communication app that supports the development of language skills through Core Words, symbol-based navigation, and personalized vocabulary options. This guide provides practical tips and insights to help users maximize the app's potential.
This training topic introduces auditory scanning and live voice scanning as essential access methods for AAC users, alongside a structured switch progression roadmap by Ian Bean. It outlines key scanning techniques, practical teaching strategies, and provides downloadable resources for switch learning, including the SENICT Resource Portal for interactive activities.
Electronic Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems with Dynamic Displays come in a wide variety of hardware options, with several different operating systems and a plethora of applications! These are the "high tech" systems you've heard of, typically offering thousands of words on hundreds of pages with many different means of organizing vocabulary.
A robust AAC system is designed to facilitate effective communication for individuals with speech and language disabilities. An "effective" system is one in which the communicator can say anything they want to, to anyone at any time! Most often, a single button or a picture book just isn't enough. In this session we are discussing the key features of a robust AAC system and how you can ensure that your student has all of the language they need!
In the session we are going to be talking about what’s inside an AAC application, not which box we should pick! We’re taking a look at some of the most popular AAC apps and exploring the different ways they organize and present language to us.
On our AAC applications we have the choice of using single words for creative message generation and the use of complete phrases for quick communication. Generative language is the term we use to describe a person putting individual words together and adding word endings to say a novel sentence of their own. Pre-stored message are those messages, typically complete phrases or sentences, which require the person using AAC to simply access one button to speak an entire message.
This debate is has a lot of nuances which we will explore in our session. We are considering the question, is AAC more important for immediate participation in our environment or to allow our student to develop language skills to allow autonomous, unlimited communication over time, or do we need a little of both? (HINT: we need both!!)
Everyone needs to be able to talk about their favorite people, places, topics and activities. Our students using AAC are no exception! Let's talk about why and how we give them access to these favorites!
AVAZ AAC is an easy-to-use app that helps people with speech and language difficulties communicate better. With customizable vocabulary options, it lets users communicate using pictures and text. The app supports many languages and includes features like voice output, predictive text, and simple navigation, making it great for both kids and adults. AVAZ AAC is designed to boost communication skills, encourage independence, and improve the quality of life by providing accessible and personalized ways to communicate.
You’ve undoubtedly heard us talk about multi-modal communication, and today we are investigating the tools that makeup the variety of AAC methods we use to supplement or replace speech!
Our students need access to their communication system at all times, and there are often multiple partners who need to make changes. In this training we are ensuring the communication device is backed up and shared with all relevant team members!
In this training, we will review the development of the AAC Implementation Plan which includes details about the student's AAC system, customization and training to help the team successfully implement a new AAC system.
LAMP Words for Life is a powerful AAC app designed to help individuals with communication challenges express themselves. Based on the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) approach, it uses consistent motor patterns to make communication quick and efficient.
TD Snap is a user-friendly AAC app designed to help people with communication challenges express themselves.