By age 3, most children are expressing themselves using complex language structures. They’re using hundreds of words, combining words and using prefixes and suffixes to change meanings. These children are also using language to make requests, comment and even protest.

Language development occurs gradually, somewhat systematically and mostly invisibly. It just sort of happens. Unless it doesn’t.

By 3, if a student isn’t using verbal speech as their primary form of expression, it’s time to seek intervention. The result of multiple assessments, meetings and discussions may lead to implementing a device to help the student learn to use language. This approach is called alternative or augmentative communication (AAC).

Not long ago, AAC devices were unsophisticated, consisting of static arrays with limited vocabulary. Today, touchscreen devices with robust language systems and access to thousands of words are becoming the norm.

As we continue the march toward inclusive practices, the day is coming when you’ll be the educator responsible for designing educational experiences for a student who uses an augmentative communication device. Although there may be support from a special education teacher, speech language pathologist and (hopefully) an accessible design coach, it will still fall to the general educator to design lessons.  

Here’s how you can help students succeed:

1. Believe they can

There’s no better way to ensure failure than believing a student can’t learn what you’re trying to teach them. You must believe that someday with the right tools, training and enough time, the student will eventually use the device to say whatever they want to say whenever they want to say it.

2. Now might not necessarily mean forever

Research shows that the implementation of a communication device doesn’t impede the development of verbal speech. If a student is going to eventually use verbal speech as their primary form of expression, the device acts like a catalyst, increasing the verbal speech acquisition rate. For some students, there may be a day when they no longer need the device, but if they do need it forever, the sooner they have it and the more they use it, the better chance for learning language.

3. Use the device as much as possible

Students using communication devices to learn language need to be placed in an environment where people use the device to communicate as much as possible. The technical name for the strategy is called aided language stimulation (ALgS), but a simple way to think of it is to model on the device. This can take different forms, including:

Instructional modeling

This is where the communication partner explicitly attempts to teach a word to a student by pointing to and using that word. For example, looking at a toy elephant, the educator might use the device to say, “Big. It is big.” And then verbally say, “You say it. Show me ‘big.’” while pointing at the word on the device.

Naturalistic modeling 

This is where the communication partner attempts to have a natural conversation. The educator might use the device to say “It’s big! I like it! Do you?” To which the student might respond by saying, “Big” or “Yes.”

Descriptive modeling

This is where the communication partner narrates what they are doing with no expectation of a response. For example, the educator might say, “It’s big. It’s gray. It’s hungry. I’ll feed it. He likes it.”

4. Implement a version of the system for everyone

The vocabulary on most AAC systems consists of frequently used words, known as core vocabulary. AAC devices provide people an opportunity to learn these words in an organized and visual way. The more people, including other students, provide modeling by using the student’s communication system, the better.

Peers interacting with the student using the same system not only helps the student who needs the device, but reinforces the spelling, meaning and structure of the words for everyone. Some educators use the home screen from a communication device as an instructional tool for teaching language, vocabulary, spelling and reading to everyone!

For instance, every student in the class might get a laminated version of the home screen of a student’s system to use for modeling and to learn sight words. Some educators also display large versions of the home screen on interactive whiteboard to integrate into whole- or small-group reading activities.

5. Ask to be coached

Successful implementation of an AAC system is akin to learning a second language. It takes time, dedication and practice. Seek out opportunities to learn more about AAC implementation. Self-directed and self-initiated learning is a start, but to accelerate the process of learning to implement an AAC device, ask to be coached using a systematic plan.

The essence of learning language is to make and maintain deep relationships with others. Helping another achieve that ability can be even more gratifying than teaching someone how to read, write or do math. When you help a student who uses an AAC device learn language, you’re giving a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Christopher Bugaj is a founding member of the assistive technology team for Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Virginia, and is a coauthor of Inclusive Learning 365. He hosts the award-winning podcast a.t.tipscast, has presented at local, national and international events and has designed and taught online courses on assistive technology. This is an updated version of a post that originally published on Sept. 21, 2018.