At A Growing Understanding, we believe every child deserves reliable ways to be ‘heard’, at home, at preschool or school, and everywhere in between. Speech Pathologist Casey Smith is one of our Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) champions. Her passion is simple and powerful: “Give children access to language in the way that works for them.”
This blog shares what AAC is, why Casey loves it, and, most importantly, what families can expect when AAC becomes part of everyday life.
What is AAC?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) includes any way of communicating other than speech that helps a person express themself, such as communication devices/apps, symbol boards, key word sign, or natural gesture. AAC can be used alongside speech and often helps speech grow by reducing pressure and increasing successful interactions.
To paint a picture of what AAC makes possible, here are a few ways it supports day-to-day communication:
- Clarity and confidence: Children can share wants, ideas and opinions without guesswork.
- Participation across settings: The same tools can be modelled at home, preschool/school, and in the community.
- Emotional regulation: Having words for feelings (e.g. worried, tired, need break) helps children manage big moments.
- Autonomy and identity: Communicators can initiate, refuse, negotiate and joke—real conversations, not just requests.
Why AAC is Casey’s Passion
Casey lights up when she talks about AAC because she sees the change it creates—for Children and for families. For Casey, AAC is not a last resort; it’s a way to open doors to language, learning and connection.
Here’s how she describes the impact:
- Access to language is a right: Every child deserves a reliable way to be heard, regardless of how—or whether—they speak.
- Connection first: When messages land, mealtimes, play and learning feel calmer and more connected.
- Confidence grows: Successful communication builds independence and self-advocacy.
- Joy matters: Breakthroughs are joyful for children discovering their “voice” and for parents who finally hear it.
“Every chance I get to work with AAC brings new learning for me and real joy for families. Seeing children’s language flourish, multimodally and verbally, is incredibly rewarding.” – Casey
How Casey Supports Families with AAC
Starting AAC can feel like a big step. Casey’s approach is warm, practical and family-centred, so you always know what’s next and why it matters.
1) Build understanding and set functional goals
Before any tools are chosen, Casey explains what AAC is (in plain English) and listens carefully to your priorities. Together, you set goals that fit real life ie. requesting, commenting, joining play, sharing feelings.
2) Explore options through short, purposeful trials
No one system suits everyone. Casey helps you try a small number of options (e.g. device-based vocabulary, symbol supports, key word sign) and looks for fit: accuracy, motivation, and how easily the tool can be modelled across the day.
3) Embed AAC in everyday routines
Coaching is hands-on. Casey models in your child’s real environments – breakfast, car rides, playground, group time – so strategies are easy to copy and keep using.
4) Navigate funding and access
With your consent, Casey guides device quotes, documentation and NDIS reports, and offers practical tips for set-up, maintenance and school collaboration.
5) Review, refine and celebrate
As skills grow, layouts and targets evolve. Short check-ins keep momentum going, and every small win is noticed, because small wins compound.
Common Questions about AAC (and Reassuring Answers)
When commencing their AAC journye, families will often have lots of questions. Here’s how we usually respond:
- Will AAC stop my child from talking?
No. AAC supports speech by lowering pressure and providing clear models. Many children use AAC and develop more spoken language over time. - Is this just more screen time?
AAC devices and apps are communication tools, not entertainment. We use them purposefully within meaningful activities. - Will my child only learn to ask for things?
Not with the way we model. We focus on core words and real messages like comments, questions, protests, stories and jokes, so conversation grows naturally. - What if school isn’t sure?
We provide simple plans and assistance so AAC is consistent across home and school. Consistency builds fluency.
What Early AAC Wins Can Look Like
The first signs that AAC is helping are often small, practical shifts that make everyday life feel easier. Mealtimes calm down when your child can clearly tell you finished, more or different. There’s less guessing and fewer stand-offs. Transitions become smoother when big feelings have words like worried, need hug or want teacher, and you can respond quickly. Play lasts longer, too; phrases such as my turn, your turn, together and again keep games moving and shared attention growing. Perhaps the most heartening change is initiative: a child starts a conversation, makes a choice or shares a joke and you understand the first time. Those moments build momentum and confidence for everyone.
If you’d like a real-life picture of what this can look like, our recent story about Hector shows how early access to AAC turned daily routines into opportunities to connect.
Getting Started with AAC: A Clear, Supportive Path
If you’re curious about AAC our aim (and Casey’s approach) is to make the first steps calm and practical. Depending on where you’re up to, we’ll book either a First Appointment (for families new to our service) or a Review Appointment (if you’ve worked with us before and want updated guidance).
- First Appointment (new to AGU): We’ll listen to your priorities, get to know your child’s strengths and interests, and explain AAC in plain English. Together we’ll set 1 – 2 functional goals that fit everyday routines (mealtimes, play, getting ready, classroom activities).
- Review Appointment (existing families): We’ll check progress, troubleshoot what’s tricky, and consider whether AAC (or refining your current system) could help right now. Goals are refreshed to match where your child is today.
From there, the process is simple:
- Try it, in real life: We run a short, purposeful trial at home, preschool/school and in the community so we can see what truly works.
- Choose and organise: If AAC is the right fit, we’ll help with device selection, quotes and NDIS documentation, and set up the system so it’s easy to use.
- Coach and embed: We’ll coach you (and educators) to model AAC during everyday moments, keeping practise brief and frequent.
- Review and refine: We check in regularly to adjust vocabulary, layouts and strategies as skills grow.
Early Access – Our Support-and-See Approach
We don’t “wait and see.” We Support-and-See: act early, tailor support to your child’s strengths, and review often. Early access to speech therapy can help turn small moments like asking for more, saying worried, or inviting together into meaningful communication that builds confidence over time. Whether AAC is a short-term bridge or a long-term tool, we’ll walk alongside your family so your child has reliable ways to be heard, wherever they are. Contact our team today to start or continue your families speech pathology journey.
