08/24/2026
I’m on a mission to make AAC feel realistic for families and speech therapy professionals by highlighting everyday moments and experiences.
Mealtimes with my own baby and my toddler (ahem, my preschooler as of this week!) always remind me of AAC implementation. They both are most successful when: all forms of communication are honored, the topic/food is meaningful for the person, and the adults take an active role in encouraging engagement. Oh, and they both are often a bit messy!
At any age, and regardless of a person’s current communication stage, offering choices and creating opportunities to connect over meals is powerful. The consistency and repetition of this frequent activity naturally teaches new vocabulary and demonstrates the different reasons to communicate within a familiar context (anybody else notice a 3 year old can protest in many different ways?!) It also encourages communication partners to practice patience while everybody is coordinating eating, thinking, and communicating.
Whatever mealtimes look like for your family or in your client’s home (sit down meals vs food on the go, full menus vs modified diets, etc.), I guarantee that there are golden communication opportunities within them every single day. Let me help you discover them!
I’m currently filling up fall schedule with professional mentorship and family coaching sessions. I also have a calendar of unique learning opportunities unfolding.
📆Send a DM to get on my calendar
✨Share this note with somebody who needs a reminder that using AAC can actually be manageable!
PS if you’re looking for support in starting your baby on solids, I HIGHLY recommend Solid Starts - shoutout to my fellow SLPs and other professionals making a difference within the daily lives of real families!