Honoring Every Voice: Spotlight on Janna Bedoyan,
AAC Specialist & Educator
This October, in honor of AAC Awareness Month, we’re excited to spotlight Janna Bedoyan. Janna is a National Board-Certified Teacher and AAC specialist who is passionate about creating neurodiversity-affirming classrooms where every student feels empowered to communicate. As co-author of AAC Visualized and Behavior Essentials Visualized and the voice behind @aac.and.me, she shares practical strategies that inspire and equip both educators and families. With a heart for empowering autistic students, Janna champions independence, celebrates every voice, and fosters meaningful communication through AAC immersion.
What message would you share with SLPs, teachers, and parents during AAC Awareness Month about the power of every voice?
Every child has a voice. Sometimes it looks like words, sometimes it looks like pictures, gestures, or a device. The power of AAC is that it gives students access to connection, choice, and identity. During AAC Awareness Month, I would want every educator and parent to know that communication is not about sounding a certain way, it is about being heard and understood. Every voice deserves to be honored, amplified, and respected.
In your experience, what are some of the most common misconceptions about AAC, and how do you help shift that mindset?
One of the most common misconceptions is that AAC will prevent or delay a child from speaking. Research consistently shows the opposite. AAC actually supports and develops speech when it is available. Another misconception is that AAC should only be introduced “after we have tried everything else.” In reality, the earlier we provide access, the more opportunities students have to learn language. I help shift this mindset by modeling AAC throughout the school day, encouraging team members to use the device themselves, and showing how AAC does not replace speech, it adds another way for children to connect.
What does true inclusion look like in the preschool classroom for AAC users, and how do you create that environment?
True inclusion means AAC is not treated as an “extra” but as a natural part of the classroom. In my preschool autism classroom, AAC devices sit right next to crayons and blocks. They are simply part of the learning environment. I build inclusion by training paraprofessionals, embedding AAC into circle time, songs, and play, and making sure peers see AAC as just another way to communicate. When AAC is woven into routines and celebrated as a normal part of classroom life, children gain confidence and belonging.
What do you wish every educator, especially those just starting out, understood about the role AAC can play in fostering connection, independence, and voice?
I wish every educator understood that AAC is not just a tool for requesting. It is about connection, relationships, and giving children the power to share who they are. When educators treat AAC as a language system instead of a behavioral tool, students gain independence, friendships, and a true voice in their communities. The earlier we start modeling language on devices, the sooner students learn that their words matter.
What advice would you give to families who are new to AAC and may feel overwhelmed by the learning curve?
Start small and give yourself grace. You do not have to model every word or phrase right away. Pick a few core words and use them often in daily routines. Remember, AAC is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate every attempt your child makes to communicate, whether it is a gesture, a button press, or a sound. Surround yourself with a team of teachers, SLPs, and other families who believe in your child’s voice. Most importantly, know that your child already has so much to say. AAC simply opens the door for the world to hear it.
