Taking the Drop-In Online
Earlier this year I ran a series of in-person AT and AAC drop-in sessions as a pilot, and the response from families was brilliant. It was wonderful to meet so many of you face to face and to hear how…...
Tales of Communication and Connection
Practical stories, strategies and reflections from AAC in action
Our blog brings together real experiences and everyday ideas from the world of AAC. From play-based activities to problem-solving tips, each post is written to inform, inspire and connect.
Whether you’re a parent, practitioner or AAC user, you’ll find insights that reflect your journey and support communication in daily life.
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Assistive Technology Works When the Conditions Are Right
Technology is only part of the story. When I assess new clients, I often meet teams who have already done the hardest bit first. They have secured funding, sourced a device, chosen software, and put intervention in place. Everyone is…...
Pizza, play, and progress: turning targets into meaningful AAC practice
As teachers, we often talk about Assess, Plan, Do, Review. It sounds simple, but the real skill is making it work for a child in front of you, in a way that is motivating, meaningful, and realistic for everyday life.…...
Learning More About LAMP: Reflections From Recent Training and Practice
Over the past few months, I have been developing my understanding of Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning (LAMP). In November, I attended a LAMP workshop in Leeds, followed by Moving Forward with LAMP on iOS in December. More recently, I…...
Bringing Decision-Making Back to Our Values
Over the past few weeks, I have been spending a lot of time talking about values. Through a social enterprise training programme with Community First Yorkshire and conversations with case managers, I have been reflecting on what truly sits underneath…...
How can I set up an AAC device for my child?
This is a question that comes up for parents who are beginning to explore high-tech AAC. Sometimes it is framed around a particular diagnosis, for example, “How do I set up an AAC device for my child with autism?” In…...
AAC & Assistive Technology Drop-In
Northallerton Mencap | January to March From January, AAC and Me will be running a new AAC and Assistive Technology Drop-In at Northallerton Mencap. This is a free, three-month pilot, designed to explore whether there is a need for regular…...
Bringing Play to Life with Infrared and Grid 3
Last week I was asked to adapt a remote-control toy so that a child could operate it using eye gaze. The toy was a Power Puppy, a small robotic dog with a remote control that lets it perform different tricks…...
Helping Your Child Communicate: Using Running Commentary and AAC Together
Running commentary is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support your child’s communication. By talking about what is happening in play, and modelling key words on your child’s AAC system, you help them understand language, find words…...
Rediscovering TD Snap
A refresher on TD Snap and why it’s one of my go-to AAC tools. From the Motor Plan filter to inclusive symbol sets and classroom access through TD Snap for Schools, here’s what stood out from the latest Tobii Dynavox…...
Using Clicker to Build Confidence in Writing
Exploring how Clicker supports inclusive literacy. This autumn writing activity shows how technology can help pupils plan, write and express ideas confidently, while reducing barriers for those who find handwriting or organisation challenging....
Learning Through Play: How Early AAC Changes Everything
Early access to AAC can transform how children connect, learn and communicate. I have seen this first-hand through my work with children like Lottie, who began using an eye-gaze device, the Grid Pad 13, before starting school. When we first…...
Music, AAC and the magic of shared songs
Music has been one of my most reliable teaching tools. It cuts through noise, gathers attention, and gives us a rhythm to hang language on. I have used it throughout my career because it works. Not just for fun, but…...
Play, Cars and Communication: Embedding AAC in Everyday Learning
October is AAC Awareness Month, and I want to share a simple but powerful idea: play with AAC. In the early years and Key Stage 1, play isn’t just fun, it’s the foundation of learning. Ofsted and countless early years…...
Bringing Autumn to Life: A Sensory Story with AAC and Assistive Technology
One of the most powerful things about sensory stories is how they can make communication meaningful for every pupil, regardless of ability. A sensory story combines short, simple text with rich sensory experiences — sight, sound, touch, even smell and…...
Summer, Siblings and Strategies: Supporting Emotional Regulation at Home
Strategies are important, but practice makes them real. This summer has been a balancing act. For one of our twins, we live with two truths at once. Cerebral palsy means fatigue arrives quickly, while autism brings high energy and a…...
Playing Trains with AAC: The Power of Commenting
How play-based language modelling supports early communication When supporting early AAC users, it can be tempting to focus on questions and answers. But the real magic happens when connection comes first. One of the most powerful strategies we can use…...
Progress Over Perfection: Why Habit Wins in AAC
I have been reading some wider philosophy lately, and something really struck me. There are clear parallels between what I was reading and what it is like to teach or learn AAC. In AAC, there is no shortage of theory.…...
What Is AAC? A Parent-Friendly Introduction
"AAC isn’t just about devices or symbols. It’s about helping children connect, feel included, and share who they are in a way that works for them."...
Helping Every Child Find Their Voice: Why I Started AAC & Me
Hello, I’m Tom – founder of AAC & Me, a teaching-led consultancy supporting children with complex communication needs across Yorkshire. Over the past four years, I’ve worked as an assistive technology consultant in the medico-legal sector, focusing on children and…...
