Tips for Working with Adults who Use AAC

• Before booking an appointment, determine with the AAC user what his attendant needs will be while at the appointment. Find out (and then inform the AAC user) if the services of an attendant are available and, if so, whether they will be provided by an attendant of the same sex.


• If the AAC user is using paratransit to get to and from the appointment, find out what time the AAC user will be picked up and communicate this to her. Knowing when she is going to be picked up may assist the AAC user to feel more at ease. Scheduling time for the AAC user to get ready for her pick-up after your appointment may also put her more at ease. Find out if the AAC user needs you to keep a check on the time for her.


• Schedule extra time into your appointment (for example, an hour instead of half an hour), since it takes more time to use an AAC system than to talk. Be respectful and patient.


• When greeting the AAC user, look at and communicate directly with her, rather than the attendant who may be accompanying her. After greeting the AAC user, acknowledge her attendant.


• Ask the AAC user if he wants his attendant to assist in communicating or if he wants to communicate directly with you. If the AAC user does not want his attendant to be present during the appointment, suggest a place where the attendant can wait and be available should his presence be required.


• If the method the AAC user employs to communicate is not obvious (for example, pointing to a letter board or a voice output device), find out how she communicates. For tips on communicating with an AAC user, see the section Guidelines for Communicating with a Person who Uses AAC.


• Find a quiet, private place free of distractions for your meeting. AAC voice output devices tend to be loud and not very conducive to private conversations.


• Ask permission before providing assistance such as pushing the AAC user’s wheelchair.


• If the AAC user uses a wheelchair, position yourself in front and slightly to one side of the wheelchair, facing him at eye level. Make sure that the AAC user can see you, as well as his device or display. Do not lean on his tray or put your feet on his wheelchair. The wheelchair represents personal space and should not be pushed, touched, or leaned upon without asking permission.


• Discuss all confidential matters privately with the AAC user, not in the presence of the attendant, unless the AAC user has given consent for you to do this. If there is a need to share information or to negotiate follow-up appointments, referrals or transportation plans with the attendant, obtain permission from the AAC user first.


• Ask the AAC user if she would like you to write down any notes or appointment plans. If so, find out where the AAC user would like to keep these notes so you can place them there at the end of the meeting. If the AAC user has reduced literacy skills, explore ways of assisting her to understand your written notes – for example, by drawing a picture or symbol to augment meaning.


• Phrase questions and statements in plain English, avoiding the use of jargon and defining any terminology you have to use. Some AAC users may be very concrete in their thinking.


• Be aware of the AAC user’s body language and facial expressions and vocalizations. Many people who use AAC have very expressive facial expressions, are able to use some gestures, and/or may have some meaningful sounds and speech (e.g., “Yes,” “No,” “I don’t know.”). It is important to accept all aspects of the AAC user’s communication – not just his use of the communication display or device.


• Relax and speak in a normal tone and volume, speaking as you would to any person, regardless of whether that person can speak to you.


• If an AAC user does not respond to a question, it is important to determine the reason. There are many possible reasons for a lack of response: lack of understanding of the question, confusion, fear, reluctance to communicate about the topic, need for time to formulate a response using the restricted vocabulary available, or lack of the necessary words.


• Develop a binder of the Speak Up communication displays for your office and make these displays available to the AAC user should she choose to use them. The Speak Up displays are available at www.aacsafeguarding.ca/vocabulary-com_displays.htm.

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