Choosing an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device is about finding a way to communicate that fits the person—not simply selecting a product. The right option should support everyday messages, work with the person’s access needs, and feel usable in different settings. A therapist can help assess these factors and explore suitable options. Before an appointment, note what the person wants to say, where communication is hardest, and what has or has not worked so far.
Start With Access
Consider how the person can reliably select a message. Possible access methods include direct touch, a keyguard, a switch, eye gaze, or partner-assisted scanning. The best method depends on movement, vision, posture, stamina, and how consistently the person can make a selection. Ask a therapist to assess access in realistic positions and at different times of day, rather than relying on a brief trial at a table.
Also consider the physical setup. Screen size, button spacing, mounting, volume, and device weight can affect whether communication is practical. A person who uses a wheelchair may need a secure mount; someone with limited hand movement may need larger targets or an alternative access method. Discuss what can be adjusted and how the device will be carried, positioned, charged, and maintained.
Look Beyond Basic Needs
A communication system should support more than requesting food, help, or a break. It should make room for conversation, opinions, questions, humor, storytelling, and messages the person may want to create themselves. Consider vocabulary for familiar routines as well as new topics, people, places, and activities. The person’s age and interests matter, but the system should also allow their language to grow.
Discuss how the system represents language and supports sentence-building. Some systems use symbols, letters, or a combination. The person’s understanding, literacy, language background, and communication goals can all inform this choice. Ask how new words are added, how messages are edited, and whether the layout can remain consistent as vocabulary expands. A therapist can help compare options without assuming one format suits everyone.
Plan For Everyday Settings
Map out where communication happens: at home, school, work, appointments, community activities, or online. A system that works in one quiet room may be harder to use in a noisy or busy environment. Discuss sound output, portability, durability, battery life, and access to a backup when the main device is unavailable. The person should have a way to communicate across routines, not only during therapy.
Think about communication partners, too. Family members, educators, colleagues, and support staff may need guidance on how to wait, listen, and respond. Ask the therapist what training and follow-up are available, and how the system can be used consistently across settings. Consider a low-tech backup, such as a printed communication board, for times when a device is charging, being repaired, or difficult to access.
Include The Person’s Preferences
The person who will use the aid should have a meaningful role in choosing it. Ask what feels comfortable, what they want to communicate, and what matters in the device’s appearance, voice, and layout. If the person communicates without speech or needs more time to respond, offer ways to express preferences through looking, pointing, gesture, trial use, or trusted communication partners.
Whenever possible, arrange hands-on trials of more than one option. Notice whether the person can find useful messages, initiate communication, and use the system without constant prompting. Keep a record of what feels easy or frustrating in real situations. Bring those observations to a therapist, along with questions about training, updates, and how the team will review whether the aid continues to meet the person’s needs.
A suitable AAC device or communication aid should be accessible, support meaningful language, work across daily settings, and reflect the person’s preferences. Prepare examples of real communication needs and discuss them with an AAC therapist, who can guide assessment and trials. Bristol Communication Therapy can help you explore what to consider next.