ableFamilies Ideas Library

Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! | Explore Support & Services for SLPs

Ideas

At ableFamilies, we believe in real support from real families. Here, you’ll find simple, meaningful tips and activities from families just like yours who use the QuickTalker Freestyle. Try what works for you, skip what doesn’t — we’re all learning together.

See our full collection of idea resources on our SupportHub!

Getting Started with Your Device

For setup and making the device your own.

Customizing the QuickTalker Freestyle

The QuickTalker Freestyle is extremely customizable, and making it resemble the words and phrases your family uses day to day can be crucial in developing meaningful interactions with the device. By tailoring the vocabulary on the QuickTalker Freestyle to include words and phrases relevant to your little one’s interests and daily experiences, you can make communication more relatable and fun.

For example, in our household, we changed the word “snacks” to “puffs” with an image of my child’s favorite treat. Whenever he wanted a snack/puff, we would always model it on his QuickTalker Freestyle first!

Need support?

Schedule a virtual meeting with our ableCARE team or contact them at (800) 322-0956.

The Importance of Guided Access

As you use the QuickTalker Freestyle speech device, it’s important to establish this device as a tool for communication, not as an ‘iPad for entertainment’. To help with this, we’ve included a link to a video that shows you how to enable Guided Access on the QuickTalker Freestyle. Guided Access will limit a user’s access to a single app, or better control which features or areas of an app are available to them.

Never Leave Home Without It

Hitting the road with your QuickTalker Freestyle can feel overwhelming. What if it breaks? What if you forget it? How do you even use it outside of the house? We get it. But the truth is, your little ones deserve to take their voice with them everywhere—and with a few smart tips, it’s totally doable.

Pack it with the essentials. Treat it like shoes or a backpack! Bundle it with the daily gear your kiddo never forgets, and you’ll never forget it.
Use the QuickTalker Freestyle strap. Hands-free, worry-free. This strap makes it easy for your child to carry their talker. Bonus: AbleNet provides it free of charge—just ask!
Don’t sweat the accidents. AbleNet’s warranty is AH-MAZ-ING. It covers accidental damage, loss, theft, and more. Plus, you’ve got ableCARE for fast support and peace of mind.
Set a visual reminder. No shame in going lo-fi. A sticky note on the door works wonders. Also, a QuickTalker Freestyle reminder is an awesome idea…maybe we’ll make one for our ableFamilies. 😉

Hopefully, one of these tips makes your next outing a little less stressful.

Did we forget one, or do you have a strategy we didn’t mention? We’d love to hear it! Let’s keep the conversation going on our Facebook page. See you there.

Backing up your speech app—why it matters

Why backing up matters

When your child uses a speech device, a lot of time and care goes into building their vocabulary. Creating regular backups helps protect all that work and gives you peace of mind if something unexpected happens.

Backing up helps you:

Keep custom words and layouts safe
Restore vocabulary quickly if an app is deleted, updated, or changed
Be prepared if a device needs repair or replacement

Backup steps look a little different for each speech app. You can find step-by-step guides for individual apps below:

We recommend using Dropbox to store backups. A free Dropbox Basic account works well and can be set up at dropbox.com/basic or through the Dropbox app.

👉 If it’s been a while, take a minute to back up your speech app today.

QuickTalker Freestyle at School

This week’s idea is all about how we (families and school staff) can team up to support kids who use their QuickTalker Freestyle at school. Kids really take off when they have their Talker available all day and see people using it with them in real, everyday moments. It helps them feel confident and more independent.

Here are a few easy ways to make Talker use go smoothly at school:

✔ Keep the Talker out and available all day

Our kids need their device during everything, not just “communication time.” When it’s always within reach, it sends the message that their voice matters no matter what’s going on—

• snack and lunch

• transitions

• group time

• recess

When the Talker is part of the routine, kids jump in more and use it naturally.

✔ Model words on the Talker during real life moments

No need to “teach” every button. Just model! That might look like:

• using the Talker as you talk

• tapping a button or two during everyday routines

• showing how communication can look—without pressure or expectations

Some super simple examples:

• tap “Go” during transitions

• tap “Help” when a kid is struggling

• tap “More” during something fun

• tap “Stop” during cleanup

These tiny models really add up.

✔ Follow the child’s lead

Kids communicate best when we tune in to what they’re trying to tell us. If they point, grab, reach, or make a sound, adults can support by:

• modeling a related word on the Talker

• acknowledging their communication

• pausing and giving them time to respond

And just a reminder, you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Our Empowerment Team SLPs are here to help whenever you need support, you can reach them at [email protected].

Speak Your Mind: Phrase Power-Ups

Parents and caregivers are most exposed to single words on their kiddos’ speech app, but what if you are interested in getting phrases added to your speech app? This was an idea that was submitted by a member in sweet Texas!

Phrases are an excellent way to promote social communication and provide our kiddos with an opportunity to express a bit of their personality. A simple route to incorporate more phrases into your daily life is by having your kiddo use phrases while playing with friends or family. For example, if your kiddo and their friend wanted to play with Play-Doh, example phrases that could be used are “Can I have it?,” “Your turn,” “Let’s share,” and “Thank you.” Some of these phrases may already be included in your device!

Please consult your SLP on how to add or search for phrases in your speech app, or reach out to our SLP Empowerment team (https://go.oncehub.com/ablecareslp) to learn more about adding phrases and the benefits of it. In the meantime, you can also check out our SupportHub article to learn about other phrases that could potentially be added into your speech app: https://support.ablenetinc.com/aac-education-and-resources/empowering-social-communication-through-aac/.

If you end up trying it, I hope it brings your family the same kind of “little wins” it brought ours.

Activities and Games

For fun, everyday ways to build comfort, confidence, and connection with the device.

Quick Matching Game

Find your kiddos favorite items (cars, food, sports balls, etc.)
Place them in a basket after each object is named

Before starting the game, make sure all these items are on their QuickTalker Freestyle speech device.

Set-up:

Place all the items in front of everyone and have the QuickTalker Freestyle within reach – that’s their voice.

Gameplay

Ask for them to find you the “yellow car” or find the “baseball” by you pressing the picture on the QuickTalker Freestyle. Let the device talk for you first! Then, once they have the item, have them press the picture on the talker, too, just like you did! Both of you are using the QuickTalker Freestyle – to say something. You can also switch it around by you picking something from the basket and have them tell you what that object is using their QuickTalker Freestyle voice. This game was fun and easy!

Toileting with the Quick Talker

One way to incorporate toilet training with the QuickTalker is by adding an icon for it! My son, Justin uses his device to indicate when it’s time to “go” by clicking on the “Bathroom” button which I have added to the device. Did you know that according to Simons Powering Autism Research, that “Among 4- to 5-year-olds, 49 percent of autistic children were not toilet trained?” Don’t feel discouraged. My son who is 6 years old is just starting to understand the process because of the easy access he has now with his QuickTalker. It has been his voice when he could not verbally communicate his needs. If you would like to learn how to get the device to personally work for your child, reach out to your SLP or RBT for more information. You also have access to our AbleNet SLPs at quicktalkerfreestyle.com/slp-empowerment-team

SPARK. (n.d.). Toilet training and autism. SPARK for Autism. https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/toilet-training-autism/

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round & Round

Using your QuickTalker while driving can be a real challenge. How can you safely interact with your kiddo while staying safe on the road? For those of you interested in exploring ways to communicate while driving, you might want to give some of these activities a try:

Music Requests: Program common phrases like “Play my favorite song,” “Turn it up,” or “Listen to The Wheels on the Bus” Let them be the DJ! You might end up singing along to some of these earworms when you’re alone.
Where Are We Going: Use the device to answer or ask “Where are we going?” with options like “school,” “grandma’s house,” or “Target.” This could backfire with them requesting fries every morning, but it’s still a solid way to interact with your little one on the road.
Sight-Based Communication / “I Spy”: Set up pages for things seen on the road. Try things like different color cars, trucks, trees, trains or trolleys, traffic lights, animals, or buildings that are local landmarks. Your child can point them out as they spot them.
Feelings Check-In: While our nonverbal kiddos can’t always say how they feel, they definitely have feelings. Doing an on-the-road “vibes check” can be a great way to see how they’re doing in the moment. Program in options like “I’m happy,” “I’m bored,” “I’m tired,” or “I’m excited” so your child can share how they’re feeling during the ride.

Give these ideas a try and see where you have success. And if none of these work for you, remember that it’s okay. There are other tactics out there that can be a great way to empower your kiddo to use their voice.

Funny Folder

Life with an AAC doesn’t always have to be serious. Sure, we use our QuickTalker Freestyle for daily routines, communication, and learning, but sometimes it’s okay to have a little fun.

Have you tried adding a “Funny” folder or button to your child’s device? Every kiddo is different, and they all have their own sense of humor—discover what makes them giggle and lock it in.

Humor is a great way to build connections, boost confidence, and let your child express their personality. Some kids love silly sounds, others go wild for funny songs, and some might just giggle at a picture of people laughing.

The key is to tune into your kid’s sense of humor. What makes them laugh? Is it a goofy sound? A silly phrase? A perfectly timed “FART” sound?

Try adding in some humor when you can, and have fun with it. Load a silly sound or phrase and act totally surprised when you hear it. Bonus points if you’re dramatic about it.

Because at the end of the day, AAC is their voice, and every voice deserves a good laugh.

Keeping Communication Going This Summer

The days are longer, it’s 100 degrees outside, and your kiddos are home from school. Summer can be a lot for parents to manage, and it can also be a big adjustment for our kids, especially when their structured days and routines are interrupted.

To help make things a little easier, we put together some fun Summer AAC activities you can try at home, on the go, or wherever your summer takes you.

Here is a link to our Summer AAC activities: Learn More

Summer is also a great time to take care of any issues with your QuickTalker Freestyle. Our Unlimited 5-Year Warranty is here to help. If the device is malfunctioning, gets lost, or is taken, we’ll replace it, no questions asked.

Here is the link to our Warranty, and keep it cool this summer: Learn More

Sweet Dreams with Your QuickTalker

Bedtime is full of opportunities to build communication, even as you’re winding down for the night. Whether your family keeps the QuickTalker Freestyle on until lights out or prefers to avoid screens before bed, there are easy ways to make AAC part of your bedtime routine. Use the QuickTalker Freestyle to wrap up the day Before putting the device on the charger, model a few simple bedtime phrases:

“Time for bed.”
“Brush teeth.”
“Good night.”
“Love you.”
“See you in the morning.”

These little routines help your child see that AAC isn’t just for asking for things—it’s also for sharing routines, feelings, and family moments. Here’s an idea from another ableFamilies parent: “Bedtime has always been a tough part of the day for my son. I created a folder on his QuickTalker Freestyle called ‘Bedtime Routine’ that walks him through each step. His favorite part is choosing a book before bed, so I added buttons for all of his favorite stories. Now he gets excited to pick which one we’ll read together!” — Casey, RI When it’s time to charge… keep communication going! Many families plug in the device before their child falls asleep, especially if they’re trying to limit blue light before bed. That’s a great time to switch to a simple low-tech communication board.

You might include words or pictures like:

Good night
Mommy
Daddy
Brother/Sister
Water
Potty
Help
Hug
Love you
All done

Keeping a small core board or bedtime communication board next to the bed gives your child a way to communicate after the device is charging. It also reminds them that communication doesn’t stop just because the speech device is resting. Whether your child is using their QuickTalker Freestyle, a printed core board, gestures, or signs, every way they communicate counts.

Get Printable Boards

Building Communication Skills

For strategies and tips that grow language and expression.

Make Communication Fun!

The QuickTalker is not only fantastic for communicating your child’s basic needs and wants, but it’s also a device that can incorporate your child’s favorite characters!

Your child can have the opportunity to tell another child about Bluey, for example. Bluey is a popular animated children’s show. In the speech program on your device, you can upload pictures of Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli, and create icons for them. These are the main characters of the show, and then you can add icons for what your child likes to do. These icons could be dancing, singing, or swimming on a “Likes” screen, for example. After the icons are added to the speech program on your device, your child will now have the opportunity to tell another individual that Bluey likes to dance, or Bingo likes to sing.

I’ve enjoyed any encounter where I could have my son express his personality to me, and to others. It’s a very special experience.

Side By Side with Gestalt Learners

For these learners, AAC can be especially powerful when we intentionally build systems that reflect how they naturally take in and use language. Here are some simple ways to support your child side-by-side with their gestalt learning:

✔ Add your child’s favorite songs, phrases, and scripts into their QuickTalker Freestyle.

Examples include:

“Wheels on the Bus!”
“Let’s go!”
“I want more!”
“Time for play!”

These familiar phrases act as meaningful, emotional, and communicative building blocks, giving your child language that feels natural to them.

Many Gestalt Language Processors like to have an easy-access folder for the gestalts, phrases, and scripts. If you need specific instructions on where this folder might best fit within your app, reach out to the SLP Empowerment Team at [email protected].

✔ Keep options open for mixing and matching.

GLP children love combining gestalts. Providing a variety of favorite scripts, songs, and characters encourages them to experiment and build longer, expressive combinations as part of their natural developmental progression

A Real Parent Example

“My 3-year-old has had his device for four months now. We encourage him to use it during daily tasks—when he’s hungry, during play, and throughout his bedtime routine. He learns through songs and repeated phrases, so we added his favorite characters and scripts as separate buttons. His absolute favorite is ‘Wheels on the Bus.’ I hope this helps another family starting out!”

— Ja’Lisa from MI

Breakfast of Champions:
A Daily QuickTalker Freestyle Routine

A simple, predictable morning routine can do wonders to help your kiddo feel grounded and ready for the day. It’s also the perfect time to build the QuickTalker Freestyle into everyday life in a natural, low-pressure way. This week’s tip was inspired by one of our parents in the ableFamilies community.

Start by adding to or creating a dedicated breakfast page with the foods and drinks your child sees at home; anything from oatmeal and bananas to milk or juice. Then, each morning, show your kiddo the actual options and let them choose using the talker. You can keep this page simple or make it as detailed as your child needs. To go the extra mile, try navigating to a page that shows what comes next after breakfast! It could be getting dressed, brushing teeth, packing a backpack, or even watching a movie.

Starting the day with the device is a powerful way to reinforce communication, build independence, and weave the QuickTalker Freestyle into real life, and it’s the perfect low-stakes introduction for the kiddo just starting out using the device. Give it a try! Customize a breakfast page and see how it shapes your day.

Celebrating Birthdays with
Your QuickTalker Freestyle

Birthdays are the perfect chance to make communication meaningful and fun.

Here are a few easy ways to include your child’s QuickTalker Freestyle during birthday activities, but still letting the birthday child stay in charge of the fun:

Let the birthday child choose the activity

Offer 2–3 options on the device (games, crafts, music, snacks) and let them pick. Choice = power, and birthdays are all about their choices!

Use the device for party decisions

Program or model simple choices so the child can run the show. Which game is first? What color plate or cupcake? etc.

Build birthday messages ahead of time

Find or add quick phrases like “My turn,” “I want that one,” “Let’s play again,” or “Open this!” so the device is ready for the moment.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Our Empowerment Team SLPs are here to help whenever you need support, you can reach them at [email protected].

Sing, cheer, and comment

Find or add buttons for “Happy Birthday,” “Yay!”, “That’s funny,” or “I like it!” so the child can join in all the excitement.

Remember: it’s THEIR day

Follow the child’s lead, honor their choices, and celebrate communication in whatever way it shows up.

One Word That Could Change Everything

Having a hard time getting your kiddo to use the QuickTalker Freestyle? Well, this tip is perfect for you. If there is something your kiddo is excited about and wants you to do repeatedly, like a funny dance, a song, or a big hug, create a button for that action and model it with your kiddo.

See This In Action!

“We added the word ‘tickle’ to the device, and he has not stopped using it. At first, when we added it, I selected ‘tickle’ and proceeded to tickle him. I did that maybe five times, and on the sixth time he selected ‘tickle’ himself.”

What Makes This Method Great

It starts with you using the device and modeling the action without setting expectations for your kiddo. Because your kiddo loves it, they will begin to repeat the action independently. This is the foundation for building future use. It does not have to be perfect. It just has to be consistent and meaningful.

The only downside is you might need a new career with all the modeling you will be doing.

If you try this strategy this week, we’d love to hear how it goes. Your experiences help other ableFamilies learn and grow, too.

Finding Their Voice Through Music

This week, a parent reached out to us and shared how helpful music has been for her 2-year-old son as he explores his device and learns new words.

Music can be a great way to help non-verbal kids get more comfortable with communication.

Try This:

Try singing one of their favorite songs and pausing before a word they know. Give them a chance to fill in the blank with a sound, word, gesture, sign, or their AAC device. Songs with repetition work especially well because kids often already know what is coming next. Try it with Five Little Monkeys or the Wheels on the Bus.

You can also use music to practice simple words like “go,” “stop,” “more,” or “again.” Keep it fun and low pressure. You don’t need to have the range of Celine Dion to make it work. It’s more about the effort, the connection, and getting a little silly.

The Goal:

The goal is not perfect speech. The goal is to give your kiddo another way to join in, connect, and build confidence with communication.

Try adding a little music to your everyday routines this week and let us know how it works for you.

Share Your Own Idea

Do you have a tip, strategy, or creative way your family uses the QuickTalker Freestyle? We’d love to hear from you! Submit a written idea or via video below!