Getting started with AAC: a parent's first week

The Speech Assistant Team

June 2026 · 6 min read

Bringing home an AAC tool can feel like a lot at once. The good news: you don't need to master everything in week one. You need a small set of phrases that matter, in a place your child can reach them.

Day 1–2: Start with what they want

Pick five to eight high-motivation phrases — favorite foods, a beloved show, "more," "all done," "help." Communication is reinforced fastest when the first words make something good happen.

In Speech Assistant, create a single category and add these as phrase tiles. Attach a photo or AAC symbol to each so they're recognizable at a glance.

Modeling matters more than drilling. Tap the tiles yourself, often, with no pressure to respond.

Day 3–5: Build the routine in

Tie phrases to moments that already repeat — mealtimes, getting dressed, leaving the house. Predictable routines give predictable chances to communicate, which is exactly what builds fluency.

If your child has limited motor control, this is a good time to try Head Tracking so selection stays comfortable across a longer session.

Day 6–7: Make it sound like home

Record a Personal Voice for key phrases so the words sound familiar, and turn on Cloud Sync so the same board is ready on Apple Watch for quick moments away from the iPhone.

By the end of the week you won't have a finished board — you'll have a living one, and a routine for growing it.