Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices can be used for a variety of reasons and with a variety of people. AAC users are typically those who have limited or no verbal speech, have verbal speech but are not always able to get their message across, or those who have verbal speech but are unable to use their speech meaningfully. The use of AAC comes in many forms, such as communication boards and books, high tech devices, or switches. All of these options facilitate communication and provide individuals the opportunity to express their wants and needs. We believe that AAC users should always have access to communication. However, there are times and situations where using high-tech speech generating devices may become challenging. Whether you are planning a trip to the beach with your family or you are taking a long road trip and your child’s talker becomes low on battery, it is important to have a back-up communication system so your child can always express their wants and needs. Below we have listed the steps to making a paper-based AAC book!
Step One:
Make sure you have downloaded the chat editor program on to a computer (TouchChat Chat Editor, Saltillo Chat Editor, etc.). Check out our “helpful links” below if you are not sure where to find the download link for Chat Editor!
Step Two:
Within Chat Editor, click “settings”à “print pages” à and select which pages you would like to print. If you are planning on creating a low-tech option of your child’s AAC device, we recommend printing all the pages. That way your child can always express their wants and needs and not be limited to the vocabulary provided.
Step Three:
Once the pages have been printed, we recommend laminating each page so the pages will be durable and withstand daily wear and tear. After each page has been laminated, write numbers in the top right corner of each page to help with easy navigation throughout the book. Then punch holes in each page and join the pages together. You can use zip ties or metal rings to hold the pages together which will allow for easy flipping!
Step Four:
Your child is ready to try out the paper-based copy of their vocabulary pages! Because transitioning between pages is not automatic on the paper-based copy like it is on your child’s regular talker, please allow time for your child to flip through the pages and familiarize themselves with the location of the icons and vocabulary. We also recommend that you, as parents or caregivers, familiarize yourselves with the location as well so you can provide modeling when needed!
Creating a paper-based copy of your child’s AAC device may be overwhelming and confusing, so please reach out to any of our therapists at TALK to help! We would love nothing more than assist you in creating a back-up communication system for your child which will allow them to communicate in any setting and under any circumstance!
Helpful Links
Salitillo Chat Editor: https://saltillo.com/support/downloads
TouchChat Editor: https://touchchatapp.com/apps/touchchat-windows-editor
Tobii Dynavox: https://us.tobiidynavox.com/pages/product-support-software