AAC resources to help you support your child

There are a number of great resources out there to help you help your child as they develop proficiency as an AAC user. Check out the following:

PRAACTICALLY SPEAKING AAC – AUSTRALIA

We are avid followers of this Facebook page as they share some amazing articles, infographics and links to other resources to help parents, carers, teachers and kids! – @prAACticallyspeaking

BOARDMAKER

A go to destination for an array of assistive communication needs. The Boardmaker family of products allows every student to succeed at their own pace, and on their unique path, with communication and literacy at the heart of it all. On their website you can shop their apps, software, AAC speech tablets, digitised and low tech AAC devices, symbol displays, therapy tools. And, at MyBoardmaker you can access Boardmaker 7 online, search activities, create your own custom communication boards and download ready-made boards put together by others in the boardmaker community. goboardmaker.com

S O C I A L S T O R I E S

Social stories are a great way of communicating important blocks of information on a specific theme to a child who may struggle with receptive language. We love these pre-made stories covering a range of topics that are available for free from Okey Dokey childhood therapy. okeydokey.com.au

SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA

Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) is the national peak body for the speech pathology profession in Australia. Their website includes a useful easy to read fact sheet on AAC as well as a number of useful resources around broader communication issues and speech therapy, speech and language development. speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

AAC LANGUAGE LAB FROM LIBERATOR

The AAC Language Lab is a hub of incredible resources that can be used in teaching and training all aspects of AAC. The AAC Language Lab provides materials for the Unity, Unity 2.0, LAMP Words for Life and WordPower vocabularies. Within the AAC Language Lab you are able to explore the different language stages for a wide variety of individuals and download suitable interactive materials. Each type of material has been adapted for whether you are a teacher, professional or parent. Many of the resources are free to use and download and there is also a subscription-based service with additional materials. liberator.net.au

AGOSCI

This organisation provides information about severe communication impairment for communication aid users, advocates, therapists, teachers, and rehabilitation engineers. It also provides access to a list serve on augmentative and alternative communication topics. agosci.org.au

ASSISTIVEWARE

This is the home of the widely used app – Proloquo2Go. Not only do they have a wide range of information and resources for P2G users (plus their other products such as Proloquo4Text, simPODD and Pictello, there is a brilliant info hub of articles tackling all aspects of AAC use and issues parents and carers may encounter. assistiveware.com

CLASSROOM COMMUNICATOR

This is an awesome set of fact sheets regarding implementing AAC in a classrooom setting from Western Australia based Indigo Living. Many of the ideas on the fact sheets are workable in a home environment too. indigosolutions.org.au

ASSISTIVEWARE’S FAMILY MEMBERS AAC COMMUNITY

Get tips and ask questions in this Facebook group of parents and carers of children using Proloquo2go. www.facebook.com/groups/241684205905600

SPEAK UP AND BE SAFE FROM ABUSE

Scope was supported by the Victorian Government to produce a communication toolkit and resources for people with communication difficulties, to assist individuals to identify and report abuse. You can find out more and download body safety boards and other resources on their dedicated website. speakupandbesafe.com.au