Stepping into AAC: Empowering Families and Communication Partners

Quick Overview

The “Stepping into AAC” project, presented at the ASF Family Conference, is a comprehensive initiative designed to empower families and caregivers of individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The project, supported by the ASF, aims to provide resources and strategies to help families integrate AAC into daily life, enhancing communication for individuals with Angelman Syndrome. The programme spans 20 weeks, offering a structured journey with weekly activities, videos, and newsletters. It emphasises learning through doing, with action steps that encourage hands-on interaction with AAC tools. The project also includes interviews with parents, providing insights and real-life experiences. The materials are designed to be accessible and practical, supporting families in becoming effective communication partners and advocates. The initiative highlights the importance of community, both around the AAC learner and among AAC users, fostering a supportive environment for communication development.

The 2024 ASF Family Conference recently hosted an enlightening session titled “Stepping into AAC,” led by experts Rachael Langley, Tabi Jones-Wohleber, and Carole Zangari. This session was a deep dive into the world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), focusing on empowering families and caregivers of individuals who use AAC.

A Community-Driven Initiative

“Stepping into AAC” is a project funded by the ASF, designed to provide resources for families and the broader AAC community. The project aims to empower parents and caregivers to become effective communication partners for AAC users. The session was a culmination of extensive collaboration with the community, featuring contributions from parents, local vendors, and AAC learners themselves. These contributions enriched the project with real-life insights and practical resources, including printable communication boards and parent interviews.

Goals and Structure of the Project

The project is structured around two main goals:

1. Educating Families: To provide families with the knowledge and tools necessary to integrate AAC into daily life, regardless of the level of support they receive from schools or therapy teams.

2. Empowering Advocacy: To equip families with the skills and confidence to advocate for their children’s AAC needs effectively.

The project spans 20 weeks, offering a comprehensive journey through AAC learning and usage. Each week includes hands-on activities, short informative videos, and print materials like newsletters and templates for customising AAC tools.

Learning by Doing

The project emphasises learning through action. From the first week, participants are encouraged to use AAC tools, whether they are existing robust systems or paper-based communication boards provided by the project. The focus is on frequent use of support strategies, which are crucial for improving communication, rather than relying solely on technology.

Building a Supportive Community

A significant aspect of the project is fostering a sense of community. This includes both the immediate circle around the AAC learner and the broader network of AAC users. The project encourages sharing experiences and strategies, reinforcing the idea that AAC learning is a communal effort.

Engaging and Practical Resources

The session highlighted various resources available through the project:

• Action Steps: Weekly activities designed to be quick and manageable, helping families integrate AAC into everyday routines.
• Video Playlists: Short videos that explore AAC concepts and strategies, featuring parent interviews and demonstrations of AAC in action.
• Travelogues: Weekly newsletters that delve deeper into AAC topics, providing additional resources and advocacy tools.

Customisation and Flexibility

The project recognises the need for customisation in AAC tools to reflect the unique interests and needs of each learner. Participants are guided through selecting and customising vocabulary, ensuring that AAC systems are both robust and personally relevant.

Conclusion

“Stepping into AAC” is a thoughtfully crafted initiative that seeks to empower families and caregivers, providing them with the tools and confidence to support AAC learners effectively. By fostering a community-driven approach and offering practical, engaging resources, the project aims to make AAC a natural and integral part of daily life for individuals with communication challenges. As the session concluded, participants were encouraged to take these resources and embark on their AAC journey, equipped with newfound knowledge and a supportive community.