Speech-language pathologists understand that successful AAC implementation extends far beyond the therapy room. The goal of speech therapy is generalization in all environments to practice AAC so the skills taught in speech sessions can carry over to clients’ everyday lives. Community settings offer opportunities for real-life practice that can’t be achieved in clinical environments.
Here are five accessible locations to target carry-over and generalization for AAC users.
1) The Grocery Store
Grocery stores provide real-world opportunities to practice selecting preferred items and engaging in social conversation. Users can practice making choices between items, expressing preferences about brands or flavors, and asking store employees for help.
Make a grocery list before going to the store for additional vocabulary practice. To make the experience smoother, program preferred foods and helpful phrases such as “Where is the __?”
2) Parks/Playgrounds
Parks and playgrounds can be intrinsically motivating for AAC users and naturally facilitate expressing opinions, whether it’s preferring the swings over the slide or choosing between different games. These settings create opportunities for AAC users to invite others to play or participate in activities, teaching initiation skills.
Programming playground-specific vocabulary and social phrases such as “do you want to play with me?” or “Let’s go down the slide” ahead of time can help users participate more fully in these fast-paced environments.
3) Restaurants
Restaurants offer structured yet flexible opportunities for AAC practice. The predictable routine of ordering food provides a comfortable framework for conversation. AAC users can practice not just ordering their meals but also making requests throughout the meal such as asking for napkins, requesting refills, or communicating dietary needs.
These outings also present opportunities to practice conversations like greeting servers, saying “please” and “thank you,” and engaging in mealtime conversation with family or friends. Consider role-playing restaurant scenarios before the actual visit to build confidence.
4) Family Gatherings/Playdates
Family gatherings or playdates provide supportive environments for expanding conversational skills. With familiar communication partners, AAC users may feel more comfortable with practicing AAC use or having longer conversational exchanges. Family gatherings offer natural opportunities for sharing stories about recent events, expressing opinions about topics of interest, and asking questions to maintain conversations.
During playdates, children can practice commenting on shared activities, expressing preferences between toys or games, and using social phrases like “That’s cool!” or “My turn!” to engage with peers.
5) Doctor’s Office or Appointments
Medical and other personal appointments present important opportunities for developing self-advocacy skills. These settings require AAC users to express their needs, describe symptoms or concerns, and answer important questions about their health or wellbeing.
Pre-visit preparation might include programming relevant vocabulary about body parts, pain descriptors, or specific concerns. These appointments also offer chances to practice communicating with less familiar communication partners who may be unfamiliar with AAC, building skills in communication repair and persistence.
Supporting AAC users to communicate directly with healthcare providers, rather than through caregivers, fosters independence and ensures their voice is heard in decisions affecting their care.
Practice AAC Outside of the Therapy Room—Tips for Success
- Pre-program relevant vocabulary for each setting.
- Role-play social scenarios in the therapy room to build confidence.
- Start with shorter outings in familiar places before gradually increasing duration and complexity.
- Celebrate all communication attempts, whether through AAC, gestures, vocalizations, or combinations of modes.
Every trip to the grocery store or playground visit becomes an opportunity to strengthen AAC skills and build confidence. By embracing these everyday moments as teaching opportunities, SLPs help AAC users develop the practical communication skills they need to participate fully in their communities.
