Presume competence
No cognitive gate. He does not earn the device by proving IQ, pointing, or “readiness.”
AssistiveWare Learn AAC — partner practice, not their apps · Source
Lesson · Learn
AAC foundations
Partner skills first. These apply no matter which WordPower grid is on the device. AssistiveWare pages here are partner practice — not their speech apps.
The how-to is written in this lesson so you can train here. Official page: AssistiveWare Learn AAC (partner practices)
AbleTeams: Modeling is an evidence-based strategy. You, as the communication partner, use the device yourself to show your AAC user how they might use it too. Capitalized words in scripts are the buttons you press.
No prerequisites
Requiring him to prove himself before AAC is a roadblock, not a program.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
Always available
AAC does not clock out for specials, lunch, or therapy. In a bag is not available.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
Aided language / modeling
You talk. You hit 1–2 core words on HIS screen. You do not quiz. You do not wait for him to be “ready.”
AssistiveWare Learn AAC + AbleTeams modeling · Source
Honor all communication
Button, reach, look, vocal, head shake. Follow his lead. Do not override a protest.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
Beyond requesting
Comment, protest, greet, choose, ask, report pain. If the day’s models are only WANT at lunch, you did not implement AAC.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC + AbleTeams Beyond Requesting · Source
Part-time speakers still need AAC
Unreliable speech is a reason for AAC, not a reason to withhold it. “Use your words” is not the IEP method.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
Plan AAC through the day
Routines, not a 20-minute iPad time. Arrival, morning meeting, academics, specials, lunch, dismissal.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
Partner skills
You are the intervention. Wait, model, honor, follow his lead. The app does not teach him while you talk over him.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
Core word teaching
High-frequency words do the work across the day. Fringe is a request to family + AbleNet — not a reason to open Edit.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
Choice and control
Honor STOP. Offer real choices. Do not fake a choice you will override.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
Include him in conversation
Talk with him, not about him. Pause. Model. Leave a turn. Classmates copy the adult.
AssistiveWare Learn AAC · Source
AssistiveWare Do’s and Don’ts
Partner practice only — not a reason to put Proloquo2Go on the QuickTalker.
AbleTeams 10 tips, compressed to this campus
01
Model, model, model
The main way AAC users learn language. Key words, not full sentences. Low pressure. Keep going even when he does not hit back.
02
Visible and available
Home base plus charging spot. Low-tech core board posted (GO at the door, full board at circle). He gets the device AND the board. Not a bag.
03
Communication-rich routines
Arrival, morning meeting, bathroom, lunch, transitions, clean-up. Same words, same places, every day.
04
Build it into what you already do
Core word of the week. Question of the day. Read-aloud modeling. Curriculum words go on a request list to family and AbleNet — you do not program them.
05
Acknowledge every attempt
Treat a device hit like speech. Gesture, look, vocal, and exploration count.
06
Wait at least 10 seconds
AbleNet: most AAC users benefit from at least 10 seconds. Ask once. Count silently. Repeating after 2 seconds restarts his processing.
07
Know the homepage and Word Finder
If you cannot find WANT in 10 seconds, you are not ready to teach that block. Ask. Do not guess-edit.
08
Collaborate
Same plan across teacher, para, SLP, and specials. Inconsistent partners erase the motor plan.
09
Peer support
Classmates wait and take turns. Adults model that.
10
Celebrate all communication
Do not punish exploration or repeated tapping. AAC babble is language.
Wait time
Wait time is the pause after you ask, comment, or offer a turn. It gives Trevor time to understand, plan, and reach the button.
AbleTeams: most AAC users benefit from at least 10 seconds. Count silently. Keep your face with him.
- Ask or model once.
- Count to ten in your head. Mouth shut. Do not repeat at two seconds — that restarts his processing.
- Stay with him. A glance at the device after ten seconds is a prompt. Repeating the question is not.
- Honor any form: button, reach, look, vocal, head shake.
- Prefer open comments (“Tell me about this page”) over yes/no quizzes when you can.
Trevor AAC Training for Trevor Rivard · Lessons include official AbleTeams, PRC-Saltillo, and Language Lab how-tos · Training only — no student records