33 free guides, from a non-profit association
Learn AAC, step by step
Everything you need to know to help someone who doesn't speak, or speaks very little, to communicate: the basics, vocabulary, tools and practical steps.
- What is AAC? A guide to getting started Discover AAC · 8 min
- Myths about AAC: what the research says Discover AAC · 6 min
- Does AAC stop speech? No, and it helps those who speak a little Discover AAC · 7 min
- PECS or robust AAC? Understanding the differences Discover AAC · 4 min
- AAC and bilingualism: communicating in all your languages Discover AAC · 5 min
- AAC glossary: key terms explained simply Discover AAC · 5 min
- Choosing an AAC tool: paper, tablet, app and trial Choosing and funding a tool · 7 min
- AAC apps in 2026: a comparison Choosing and funding a tool · 7 min
- Funding AAC: how to prepare a funding request Choosing and funding a tool · 4 min
- Proloquo2Go alternative: Buddy, on all your devices Choosing and funding a tool · 4 min
- TD Snap alternative: Buddy, independence as well as communication Choosing and funding a tool · 4 min
- Grid for iPad and Grid 3 alternative: when to choose Buddy Choosing and funding a tool · 4 min
- Avaz alternative: Buddy, with vocabularies adapted to English Choosing and funding a tool · 4 min
- LetMeTalk is no longer updated: what’s the alternative? Choosing and funding a tool · 4 min
- Which words to put in the tool: core, fringe and personal vocabulary Vocabulary and the tool · 7 min
- Organising the grid: size, fixed positions and colours Vocabulary and the tool · 8 min
- Beyond requests: communication functions and ready-made phrases Vocabulary and the tool · 7 min
- Making a communication board: a step-by-step guide Vocabulary and the tool · 6 min
- Model, wait, respond: the communication partner’s role Everyday support · 9 min
- Visual supports: schedule, sequences and timer Everyday support · 6 min
- AAC and literacy: learning to read and write Everyday support · 5 min
- Behaviours that challenge: a message to decode with AAC Everyday support · 5 min
- Being understood: the ‘How to talk to me’ card, GP and hospital Everyday support · 8 min
- Autism and AAC: understanding and communicating Specific needs · 7 min
- Down syndrome and AAC: what Pablo taught us Specific needs · 5 min
- AAC for adults: aphasia after a stroke, motor neurone disease (MND) Specific needs · 8 min
- Access to AAC: positioning, switches, eye gaze Specific needs · 8 min
- My child isn’t talking: where to start Every age, every setting · 8 min
- AAC at school: support plans, teaching assistants, adapted materials Pro Every age, every setting · 5 min
- AAC in adolescence and adulthood: towards independence Every age, every setting · 5 min
- Talking about the body, pain and consent with AAC Every age, every setting · 6 min
- Setting up AAC as a team: assess, try, keep it going Pro Every age, every setting · 8 min
- AAC in specialist settings: what a setting-wide plan should cover Pro Every age, every setting · 4 min
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Start here
AAC explained simply: what it is, aided or unaided, alternative or augmentative, the key principles and which guides to read, for parents and professionals.
Your child isn’t talking at 2, 3 or 4: warning signs, who to see (GP, health visitor, speech and language therapist) and what to do this week.
Does AAC stop speech? Are there prerequisites? Eleven common myths checked against the research, and why we presume competence.
All themes
Discover AAC
Definition, myths, speech, PECS: the basics for a confident start.
- What is AAC? A guide to getting started
- Myths about AAC: what the research says
- Does AAC stop speech? No, and it helps those who speak a little
Choosing and funding a tool
Choosing your tool, comparing apps, finding funding.
- Choosing an AAC tool: paper, tablet, app and trial
- AAC apps in 2026: a comparison
- Funding AAC: how to prepare a funding request
Vocabulary and the tool
Which words, how to organise the grid, how to make a board.
- Which words to put in the tool: core, fringe and personal vocabulary
- Organising the grid: size, fixed positions and colours
- Beyond requests: communication functions and ready-made phrases
Everyday support
Modelling, structuring the day, reading and writing, being understood.
- Model, wait, respond: the communication partner’s role
- Visual supports: schedule, sequences and timer
- AAC and literacy: learning to read and write
Specific needs
Autism, Down syndrome, aphasia, MND, motor difficulties.
- Autism and AAC: understanding and communicating
- Down syndrome and AAC: what Pablo taught us
- AAC for adults: aphasia after a stroke, motor neurone disease (MND)
Every age, every setting
First steps, school, adolescence, adult life and specialist settings.
- My child isn’t talking: where to start
- AAC at school: support plans, teaching assistants, adapted materials Pro
- AAC in adolescence and adulthood: towards independence
For professionals and specialist settings
Setting up AAC as a team, building a setting-wide AAC plan, using AAC at school.
- Setting up AAC as a team: assess, try, keep it going 8 min
- AAC in specialist settings: what a setting-wide plan should cover 4 min
- AAC at school: support plans, teaching assistants, adapted materials 5 min
Free resources
Vocabulary booklets, aided language boards and sequences to print, no sign-up needed.
“Pablo opened our eyes to the daily challenges faced by people with neurodevelopmental conditions. His smile when he manages to express himself reminds us why we do this.”
From reading to practice
Pictalk Buddy: communication boards, a visual schedule and sequences. Pay what you want, with no locked features.