How to Use Communication Cards at Home: A Parent's Step-by-Step Guide
Communication cards can give children another way to share needs, choices, feelings, and ideas. This parent-friendly guide explains how to introduce picture communication cards at home, model them naturally, and respond to your child’s communication without pressure. What Are Communication Cards? Communication cards use pictures, symbols, photographs, or words to help someone communicate a message. A card might mean help , more , stop , drink , or all done . They are one type of low-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) support. Some children benefit from a more comprehensive AAC system, including a communication board or speech-generating device. Who Can Benefit? Picture-based communication can support children who have difficulty expressing needs through speech, use gestures or sounds, or benefit from visual information. A diagnosis is not required to consider AAC. Children do not need to master pointing, matching, or speaking before AAC is considered. An AAC-exp...