We ask our students who use AAC to learn a pretty complex language system. Then, too often, they are surrounded by adults who don't really know how to use that system themselves.
That's a problem.
If we want students to become proficient communicators with AAC, they need to see other people communicating with AAC. Teachers, paraprofessionals, SLPs and other communication partners need opportunities to learn the systems our students are learning.
Fortunately, several AAC companies are making that easier.
TD Snap: A Free Classroom License
This is one I really want special education teachers to know about.
Tobii Dynavox offers free TD Snap professional and classroom licenses for U.S. schools through TD Snap for Schools. The classroom license gives school staff access to TD Snap for professional use such as learning, modeling and instruction—without needing to use a student's personal AAC system.
TD Snap can be used on iPads, Windows computers and compatible classroom displays or smart boards, which makes it especially useful for modeling AAC while teaching.
To get started, create a myTobiiDynavox account, log into it at least once through a web browser, and complete the school application. Tobii Dynavox also provides training and classroom implementation resources.
Learn more and apply for TD Snap for Schools
One technology note: TD Snap is available for iPad and Windows. It is not currently a native MacOS app, so teachers using a MacBook will need to use an iPad or compatible Windows device and mirror or display it as needed.
TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life and Unity AAC
PRC-Saltillo offers an App Partner Program for professionals who participate in AAC evaluations and/or support people using TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life or Unity AAC.
The process is similar for all three apps:
- Download the free Discover version and begin the trial.
- Complete the corresponding App Partner training through AAC Learning Journey.
- Submit the application.
- Once approved, use the redemption code to access the full app.
I actually like that training is built into this process. Remember, getting the app isn't really our goal. Learning how to use it is.
The partner courses are relatively brief and give professionals a structured way to become more familiar with the vocabulary and organization before using the system for modeling and support.
PRC-Saltillo App Partner Program
You can also go directly to the individual programs:
Proloquo and Proloquo2Go
AssistiveWare also offers a free AAC Professional License for eligible AAC professionals. The current professional license includes Proloquo, along with several other AssistiveWare tools.
Eligibility is more specific than the TD Snap classroom program. It includes professionals such as SLPs, OTs, AT specialists and AAC coaches working in schools, as well as students in some AAC-related university programs.
Learn more about the AssistiveWare AAC Professional License
If you specifically need access to Proloquo2Go, it is not automatically included with the current professional license. AssistiveWare directs professionals to contact its support team regarding professional access to Proloquo2Go.
Proloquo2Go Support
AssistiveWare also offers separate school licensing for Proloquo for teams or districts that want broader access.
Learn more about Proloquo School Licenses
What About Grid?
Smartbox also provides options for professionals to learn and use Grid, but there is an important distinction.
Their complimentary U.S. Evaluator License for Grid 3 or Grid for iPad is intended for AAC evaluation—not as a general classroom resource.
Learn more about the U.S. Grid Evaluator License
For broader classroom implementation, take a look at Grid for Schools, which is designed to support Grid use across lessons, routines and classroom communication.
Learn more about Grid for Schools
Now Use It
Getting access to the software isn't really the goal.
Getting the adults proficient with the language system is.
Put the AAC system beside what you're already teaching. Split the screen between AAC and a book, video or academic activity. Put it on the interactive board. Model a few useful words and messages during morning meeting, science, reading, cooking, games and classroom discussions.
You don't need to translate everything you say into AAC.
Model things that actually make sense in the moment:
I THINK...
THAT'S FUNNY.
I DON'T KNOW.
LET'S LOOK.
I HAVE A QUESTION.
And sometimes just use AAC because you have something to say.
The student's AAC system should stay with the student. That's another reason these professional and classroom options are so helpful: adults can learn and model without taking the student's voice away to do it.
The Bigger Goal: Language Immersion
Think about what we're asking a beginning AAC user to do.
We're handing them hundreds—or thousands—of words organized in a language system and expecting them to learn how to communicate with it.
Now imagine trying to learn Spanish if nobody around you spoke Spanish.
Our students need to see their language used.
So get the system into the hands of the adults. Explore it. Learn where the words are. Practice finding them. Make mistakes. Use it while you're teaching.
We aren't trying to create more AAC time.
We're trying to create classrooms where AAC is simply one of the languages being used all day long.
If we want our students to become proficient with AAC, the adults teaching them need opportunities to become proficient, too.
