Neuroaffirming AAC Support

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a vital tool that allows individuals with communication challenges to express themselves fully, fostering connection and independence.

When supporting neurodivergent individuals with AAC, a neuroaffirming approach is essential to respect communication styles, builds self-esteem, and promotes authentic expression.

Here are some tips on how to embrace neuroaffirming practice when supporting AAC Users:

🌈 Presume competence: Always believe in the AAC user’s ability to understand and communicate. Treat them as the expert on their own experiences and needs. Listen attentively and respond meaningfully to their communication.

🌈 Focus on strengths: Identify and celebrate the AAC user’s existing communication strengths. Build on these strengths and incorporate them into their AAC system. Encourage them to explore their interests and express their unique personality through AAC.

🌈Support decision making: Empower AAC users to make their own decisions about how they communicate. Avoid restrictive operant conditioning methods (forcing the AAC user to select the communication partners desired response).

🌈Provide access to a robust AAC system: Ensure a wide range of vocabulary and communication functions are available. Communication is more than making requests- ensure the AAC allows the user to make jokes, ask questions, swear, express feelings & desires.

🌈Respect quiet times: Don’t ever force communication device use (e.g. hand over hand), sometimes we don’t feel like communicating. That is the same for AAC Users. In times like this, you can focus on modelling.

🌈Availability: ensure the AAC system is charged, accessible and made available within all environments. We communicate in all environments, so the AAC system should be available in all environments (e.g. school, car, in the community).

Reach out to our speech pathology team to learn more about how we can support your journey with AAC!