What is AAC?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to a range of tools used to help individuals with communication challenges express themselves. AAC supports people who are nonverbal or have difficulty with verbal speech. It helps them to effectively communicate by sharing their ideas, feelings, and make comments. AAC consists of low-tech–which includes picture boards and visual schedules and high-tech–which includes speech generating devices and apps.
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Why Include AAC Activities In Your Classroom?
Including AAC activities in your classroom will help all students feel like they belong. It also promotes awareness, inclusivity, and an overall understanding of AAC. Providing a supportive environment helps all students thrive and feel included in the classroom setting.
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10 AAC Classroom Activities
Here are a variety of AAC activities that promote communication and engagement for users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems:
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- AAC Simon Says
Activity: Play a modified version of Simon Says. Let the students choose commands for the other kids in class to follow. Choose simple commands like jump, clap, or sit. Have a picture card with Simon Says that the student can hold up, along with their command. Also, have Simon Says programmed into student devices.
Goal: Enhance comprehension skills and following directions while incorporating AAC into fun, active play.
Extension: Allow students to take turns being “Simon” and giving instructions with their AAC device. - AAC Charades
Activity: Have a list ahead of time of the words the students have to act out. Already have those words included on picture cards or programmed in student devices. Then when students are acting out the word, students using AAC will be able to hold up a picture card with their answer or use their device. Students using AAC may also take a turn acting out the word.
Goal: Encourage student engagement and creative thinking skills. Also, increase student confidence while promoting social skills.
Extension: Adapt the difficulty level by adding common phrases, instead of just using words. - AAC Opinion Poll
Activity: Conduct an “opinion poll” where students share their thoughts about topics, such as, their favorite foods, hobbies, or activities. Students using AAC may hold up symbol cards of yes/no to indicate if they agree or disagree with the other students. Find out student preferences ahead of time to have the cards or devices ready for students to share their thoughts. Keep a tally of the responses and then discuss the results.
Goal: Provide students with an opportunity to express their opinions using AAC.
Extension: Use this activity for group decision-making, like voting on class activities or projects. - AAC Word of the Day
Activity: Have a vocabulary word of the day. Students using AAC may use their devices to create sentences with the vocabulary word. This helps the students practice using the word and it reinforce its meaning.
Goal: Build vocabulary, increase comprehension skills, and encourage regular AAC use.
Extension: Create a “Word Wall” where the vocabulary words are displayed for students to practice during the day. - AAC Weather Report
Activity: Have students create a “weather report” using picture cards or their AAC devices. Students describe the current weather and share how the weather makes them feel. Have each student take turns being a “weather reporter” so they can report the weather.
Goal: Encourage language skills, social skills, and practice daily communication about daily events.
Extension: After the students come in from recess, have them make a prediction about the weather for the next day or the rest of the week. Then keep tally of the students that make correct predictions. - AAC Board Games
Activity: Modify traditional board games like Candyland or Connect Four by including AAC. Students use picture boards or AAC devices to ask whose turn it is, what color they want, or to say “I win.”
Goal: Make communication part of the fun while reinforcing language and social skills.
Extension: Create a custom AAC-friendly board game where players must use their devices to move forward or answer questions. - AAC Bingo
Activity: Create a Bingo board filled with commonly used AAC symbols or words. Call out or show the words or symbols. Students using AAC can match the pictures on their devices or match their picture cards.
Goal: Strengthen core vocabulary skills while making learning fun.
Extension: Use this activity to introduce new vocabulary words or themes. - Storytelling with AAC
Activity: Read a story and have students use their AAC devices or picture cards to answer questions. Increase comprehension skills by also having students describe the characters and events.
Goal: Improve language and literacy skills while reinforcing how AAC supports communication.
Extension: Allow students to create their own story and tell it using their AAC devices. - AAC Song Time
Activity: Sing familiar songs with repetitive lyrics–like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star–and use AAC to join in. Include symbols for key words so students can participate by holding up a picture or using their devices. By using a song with repetitive lyrics, the students will be able to anticipate which words are coming next.
Goal: Encourage participation and interaction through music, while building vocabulary.
Extension: Let students choose their favorite songs and use AAC to express their song preferences. - AAC Art Project
Activity: Students create an art project by drawing, painting, or coloring. Then students discuss their artwork using picture cards or their AAC devices. Display the art around the classroom to encourage more group discussions.
Goal: Promote creativity, self-expression, and social skills while integrating AAC.
Extension: Have the students make comments on the artwork and share what they like.
Conclusion
By integrating these activities into your classroom, you’ll help promote awareness, inclusivity, and understanding of AAC. Also, it provides a supportive environment for all students to feel included. By including these engaging AAC Awareness Month Activities in the classroom, you will encourage understanding and inclusion of all Augmentative and Alternative Communication users.
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