Who is a communication partner?
A communication partner is anyone who communicates with a person using AAC. You might be their parent, sibling, friend, teacher or support worker. This guide is about your part in the conversation. If the terminology is unfamiliar, start with What is AAC?.
Make space for the conversation
Speak directly to the person and give them time to respond. A quieter setting may make a conversation easier. Avoid finishing their sentences for them, and check your understanding when a message is unclear. These are practical suggestions from Communication Matters’ introduction to AAC.
Get to know their way of communicating
Ask the person and the people who support them about how their communication system works. Someone may choose different ways to communicate with different people or in different situations. A paper resource, a gesture and a communication device can all be part of the same person’s communication.
Useful questions to discuss together include:
- Where should we sit so we can see and hear each other comfortably?
- How can I tell when you have finished your message?
- What should I do if I have not understood?
- Is there anything I need to learn about your communication system?
The answers will be individual. Make room for the person’s preferences rather than assuming one approach will suit everybody.
Bring an everyday question
When talking with our team, it can help to describe one situation that matters to the person: who is involved, what already works and where you would like support. The aim is to understand their communication in context, rather than choose a system from a list.
Our everyday AAC guide introduces a travel example from the practice’s own social resources. It also explains what we mean by modelling an AAC system during a conversation.
Learn together
Our work includes coaching and practical support for families, education staff and other communication partners. Explore our AAC services for the wider offer, or read about support for schools and professionals if you are enquiring on behalf of a setting.
Talk to us about the person, the people around them and the support you are looking for. We can then discuss the appropriate next step.