If you’ve ever thought, “I want to do AAC well… but the day is already on fire,” you’re not alone. The good news is that high-impact AAC support doesn’t require a separate “communication block.” It fits inside what you’re already doing.

That’s why routines matter so much. When we embed AAC into predictable parts of the day, students get frequent, repeatable opportunities to communicate—without us reinventing the wheel every hour. And when the whole team uses the same basic approach, AAC becomes consistent, not “it depends on who’s in the room.”

So here’s the challenge (and the relief): pick ONE routine and give it five intentional minutes.

First: pick ONE routine you already do every day

Choose something that’s:

• predictable
• repeated
• naturally motivating
• staffed by multiple adults (so everyone gets practice)

Great options: arrival/unpacking, morning meeting, snack, transitions, centers, pack-up.

For this post, I’m using a universal one: the transition into your first whole-group activity (morning meeting / calendar / “everyone to the rug”).

Next: anchor it with a schedule that’s actually usable

We talk a lot about Student Participation Supports—the tools that help students understand expectations and move through the day with more comfort and cooperation. The goal is independence, cooperation, and communication—NOT compliance.

A strong daily schedule supports all of that because it:

1. helps students predict what’s next
2. makes transitions smoother (the routine stays familiar even when the activity changes)
3. creates natural communication moments (“what’s next?” “all done,” “wait,” “go,” “help,” etc.)

Key detail: put the schedule where you can grab it fast. If you can’t access it in seconds, it won’t be used consistently during real-life transitions.

And one more thing: the schedule format has to match the learner. Some students need spoken cues, some can use written text, some need picture symbols, some need photos, and some need object cues. The goal is access—not a Pinterest-perfect display.

The 5-minute routine plan (simple + repeatable)

Minute 1: Preview what’s coming (with the schedule)

• Touch, point to, or move the schedule piece that shows what’s next.
• Keep your language short and consistent.

Minutes 2–3: Model ONE message during the transition

This is where a lot of teams get stuck because it feels like you have to model everything.

You don’t.

Start by modeling one word or one message per activity—and stick with it. Consistency beats quantity every time. As your comfort grows, you’ll naturally add more.

Minute 4: Make it “any adult can do it” with grab-and-go supports

If AAC supports live in a cabinet, they won’t be used consistently.

Set up the routine so any adult can grab what they need:

• a basket of routine materials (with a simple partner script so adults model the same vocabulary/messages)
• grab-and-go AAC plans (pre-made boards, quick reference guides, quick prompts)

The goal is simple: AAC stays available and usable no matter who is in the room.

Minute 5: Do a 30-second communication note

Keep a simple log where adults can jot:

• what worked
• what was hard
• what the student did
• what we should try next time

This keeps the team aligned and prevents the “we all thought someone else was doing it” situation.

A real example: Morning meeting / circle time

One practical way to increase consistency across adults is to create small visual support books for group routines—one for each adult—so everyone can “show and say” target concepts using the same language. When adults have matching tools in their hands, modeling becomes easier, faster, and more consistent.

Why this works (even beyond AAC)

An accessible schedule isn’t just a nice visual. It’s a powerful participation support.

When students can predict what’s coming next, you often see:

• smoother transitions
• less stress/uncertainty
• fewer breakdown moments
• more independence
• more natural chances to communicate

So this “five-minute routine plan” isn’t fluff. It’s a realistic way to build communication opportunities into the day you already have.

The takeaway

Pick one routine for the next two weeks and commit to:

• an accessible schedule cue
• one consistent modeled message
• a grab-and-go support
• a tiny log
  

Five minutes a day doesn’t feel like much—until you realize that’s 50 minutes of predictable communication opportunity in a routine your students already understand.