What’s my number one AAC tip?

We’ve had some wonderful successes along the way of our AAC journey so far – including Ethan being able to request his wants & needs, tell us he’s poorly, repeat some of his favourite phrases & demonstrate his knowledge of numbers, colours & shapes. 🫶 His AAC device is consistent now in all of our lives – it comes everywhere with us, it goes with him to School & it’s something we all use frequently throughout the day.

I am often asked what’s my number one AAC tip & whilst I have many tips I will happily share – my number one must be to go absolutely all in with using it. Accept it, embrace it, love it, model with it, advocate for it, carry it everywhere you go. Don’t hold back, don’t wait, don’t delay.

Somehow, way back when I spotted an AAC device for the first time used by Channing at Channing’s Joy, I knew it would be a big part of our lives when the time was right. So, when that time came around we went in with it 100%. 🌈
⭐️ I’ve accepted that this could be Ethan’s voice for forever & used this as motivation to go at it right from the get go.
⭐️ I’ve learnt about & dismissed all the persistent AAC myths that fly around.
⭐️ We’ve made sure Ethan & his AAC are a pairing at his Specialist School right from the settling in sessions.
⭐️ We try to model in all occasions good & exciting, but also sad or painful to model all the language he needs, whenever he needs it.

We’ve – including Ethan – have truly gone all in. 🙌

I’m proud of us. 💜🩵💚