When will my child start speaking? 

This is the central question for many parents and caregivers as they begin speech therapy. Communication is absolutely vital throughout our daily lives — serving as the foundation of learning, relationships and self-expression — and establishing functional communication is the key goal of speech therapy itself. 

However, talking is not the only way that a child can communicate. The New York Times bestseller, Out of My Mind (recently adapted into a film on Disney+) used the story of sixth-grade Melody Brooks, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, to illustrate that everyone has a voice— and what they say is more important than how they say it. 

In the film, Melody utilizes multiple means of communication to get her point across — these are collectively known as AAC or Augmentive and Alternative Communication Devices. In this blog, we will explore different kinds of AAC devices and how a licensed speech therapist can utilize these devices to help your child meet his or her communication goals. 

Would My Child Benefit from AAC? 

You know your child best, and understand their communication style. Below, we have included a few indicators that may suggest a child could benefit from AAC. 

• The child does not speak at all, or speaks very minimally by the time they are 18 – 24 months. 

• The child is speaking, but is unintelligible. You and close friends and family can likely understand what your child is saying— but unfamiliar faces may struggle to understand him or her. 

• The child only uses nouns, or “scripts”. Some children may utilize the same quote in similar situations — such as “PAW Patrol is on a roll!” to celebrate an accomplishment — even when the connection may not seem immediately obvious. 

Types of AAC Device 

The first step for a child in need of an AAC device is an evaluation by an experienced speech therapist. Their understanding of how your child is communicating currently can inform their recommendation for what kind of augmented communication may work best for them. They can also walk you through the process of ordering the device and determining funding from your insurance. 

Fortunately, there are no skills necessary for a child to learn before getting an AAC device. Using this device will give them a greater understanding of cause and effect, and the impact their words have on others. For example, you might begin by giving them a picture of something they love, like Cheerios or their favorite stuffed animal. When they gesture to the image, make sure to give them that item. Next, you might place the picture of the desired item alongside a picture representing something they do not like. Give them whichever item they request, and over time, they will likely begin to associate the pictures with the items themselves. 

The most popular means of AAC communication is through a specialized tablet. These devices allow you to save specific words and phrases in your child’s vocabulary for easy access— for example, you might save your dog’s name, or a sentence reciting how old your child is. Some of these devices can also give your child creative freedom to decide how they would like their voice to sound. 

How Speech Therapy Can Help 

A speech therapist can serve many roles as you and your family explore AAC devices. They are experienced in the diagnosis of various communication difficulties and can use their specialized knowledge to create a plan of care that fits with your child’s needs and your family’s lifestyle. They are also available to answer any questions you may have about the device and its usage at home, school and in the community. 

A speech therapist will be able to encourage your child to build their language skills through AAC. They are able to naturally build in opportunities for the child to get used to utilizing their AAC device to communicate their wants and needs. They are also equipped to provide you with resources, training and advice to encourage use of the device at home. Finally, your speech therapist can liaison with your child’s care team, including their primary care provider, teachers and other medical specialists (such as occupational and physical therapists) to ensure that their AAC use is compatible with their unique needs. For example, if your child has difficulties pressing the buttons on a tablet, the SLP can provide recommendations for devices that do not require that fine motor skill.  

Check out the video below from our bilingual speech therapist Ms. Glendaly as she works with a friend on utilizing her AAC device!