Guides
Getting started with AAC in Speech Assistant: your first week
The Speech Assistant Team
June 2026 · 3 min read
Week one with AAC isn't about learning every button. Pick a few words that matter, use them yourself, and keep the device close.
Before day 1
- Open Speech Assistant and tap Continue as Guest.
- Starter boards are ready: Core Words, Greetings, Needs, Food & Drink, Feelings, Questions and more.
- Tap a tile and it speaks. The bar at the top builds a sentence; the speaker button plays it.
- Want settings locked? Settings ▸ Persona: switch to User Mode and turn on Require PIN for Caretaker.
Days 1–2: start with what they want
- Choose five to eight high-motivation words: a snack, a drink, "more", "help", "all done".
- Long-press each tile and tap Add to Favorites. The Favorites list keeps them together.
- Own photos, phrases and recordings are part of Premium.
Days 3–5: model
- Tap the words yourself while you talk: "more juice?".
- One or two words, not whole sentences.
- Don't test ("show me more"). Just use the words.
- Model in routines: meals, bath, getting dressed.
- Pause and wait. Any response, or none, is fine.
Days 6–7: take it everywhere
- Keep the device at the table, in the car, at the park.
- Keyboard speaks anything typed. Draw is a whiteboard for what's not on the board.
- Signed in with Apple? The Apple Watch shows the same boards.
Leave for later
- Voices, layouts and extra categories can wait.
- Limited hand movement? Read about head tracking now.
Questions people ask
Will AAC stop my child from learning to talk?
No. Research consistently finds AAC does not hold back speech, and it often supports it. Ask your child's speech-language therapist about their goals.
How many words should we start with?
Five to eight words your child really wants, plus a few core words like more, stop and help.
Do I need an account?
No. Continue as Guest works. Sign in with Apple only adds sync between devices and the Apple Watch.