How to Use a Communication Board: 7 Simple AAC Strategies for Everyday Activities
Having a communication board available is an important first step—but simply placing a board in front of someone doesn't automatically make communication happen.
Like any form of communication, AAC becomes more meaningful when it is used naturally throughout everyday life.
You don't need to turn every interaction into a lesson or ask someone to “show me” or “point to” words on their board. Instead, communication boards can become part of the things you're already doing together—eating a snack, getting dressed, playing a game, reading a book, going outside, or talking about something that happened during the day.
One of the most helpful things communication partners can do is use the board themselves. Pointing to words or symbols while you talk shows the AAC user where language is located and demonstrates how the board can be used to communicate different messages.
The goal isn't perfect pointing or complete sentences.
The goal is meaningful communication.
In this guide, we'll look at seven simple strategies that parents, caregivers, teachers, and other communication partners can use to make communication boards a natural part of everyday activities.
If you're new to AAC and aren't quite sure what a communication board is, start with my beginner's guide: What Is a Communication Board? A Beginner's Guide to AAC.
Jump to a Section
Strategy #1: Model the Communication Board Yourself
One of the simplest ways to help someone learn how a communication board can be used is to use the board yourself.
This is often called AAC modeling. As you talk, point to one or two words or symbols on the communication board that match what you're saying.
For example, during bath time you might say, “Let's WASH,” while pointing to WASH on the board.
If you're playing with bubbles, you might say, “MORE bubbles?” while pointing to MORE.
During snack time, you might point to LIKE while saying, “I LIKE that too!”
You don't need to point to every word you say or try to create a complete sentence on the board. Choose a few meaningful words and continue talking naturally.
By using the communication board yourself, you're showing the AAC user where words are located and demonstrating that the board is a real way to communicate—not something they only use when someone asks them a question.
Strategy #2: Keep Your Modeling Simple
When you begin modeling a communication board, you don't need to point to every word in the sentence you're saying.
In fact, keeping your modeling simple can make it easier for someone to see how individual words on the board can be used meaningfully.
If you say, “Let's GO outside,” you might simply point to GO.
If you say, “Do you want MORE?”, point to MORE.
Or while playing, you might say, “That car is going FAST!” and point to FAST.
Your spoken language can still be natural and complete. The words you point to on the communication board don't have to match every word you say.
Start with one or two useful words that fit naturally into the activity. As you become more comfortable using the board, you can model different words and combinations during everyday interactions.
The goal isn't to create perfect sentences on the board. It's to show how the available vocabulary can be used to communicate.
Strategy #3: Use the Board During Everyday Activities
Communication happens all day long, so AAC shouldn't be limited to therapy sessions, lessons, or designated “communication time.”
Look for opportunities to use a communication board during activities that are already happening.
During breakfast, you might model words like MORE, EAT, LIKE, or ALL DONE.
While getting dressed, you could model ON, OFF, HELP, or different clothing words.
During play, you might use GO, STOP, MY TURN, FUN, or AGAIN.
Even everyday routines like brushing teeth, taking a bath, getting ready for bed, or riding in the car can provide natural opportunities for communication.
You don't need to stop the activity to “work on AAC.” Instead, bring the communication board into the activity and use it as another way to communicate while the experience is happening.
The more AAC becomes part of familiar routines, the more opportunities someone has to see how it can be used for real communication.
AAC can be part of everyday life.
Strategy #4: Give Them Time to Respond
After you model a word or ask a question, give the AAC user time to process what was said, look at the communication board, find the vocabulary they want, and decide how—or whether—they want to respond.
That can take longer than we expect.
It can be tempting to repeat the question, point to the answer we think they should choose, or move on quickly when there isn't an immediate response. But doing this can interrupt the person's opportunity to communicate independently.
Try asking or commenting once, then wait.
A response might come through pointing to a symbol, using a gesture, making a sound, speaking, looking toward something, or another form of communication. Remember that the communication board is one tool—the person doesn't have to use it every time.
Giving someone extra time sends an important message:
Your communication is worth waiting for.
Strategy #5: Respond to All Forms of Communication
Communication doesn't always happen through spoken words or by pointing to a symbol on a communication board.
A person might communicate by looking toward an object, reaching for something, making a gesture, using facial expressions, vocalizing, speaking, or selecting a symbol on their board.
All of these forms of communication deserve to be acknowledged.
For example, imagine you're playing with bubbles and the person reaches toward the bubble container.
Instead of insisting that they point to MORE on their communication board before continuing, you might say, “You want MORE bubbles!” while modeling MORE on the board.
Then blow some more bubbles!
Or perhaps someone pushes an activity away. You could acknowledge their message by saying, “You don't want that. ALL DONE,” while modeling the corresponding vocabulary.
The goal is to help the person see how their messages can be expressed using AAC—not to make using the board a requirement before their communication is respected.
When communication partners recognize and respond to different forms of communication, they help create an environment where people feel heard and have more opportunities to express themselves.
Strategy #6: Model More Than Requests
It's easy to focus on requesting when introducing a communication board.
“Do you want MORE?”
“Do you WANT the ball?”
“Do you NEED help?”
While requesting is an important communication skill, it's only one of the many reasons we communicate.
We also communicate to share opinions, express feelings, comment on what's happening, ask questions, protest, greet others, and connect with the people around us.
When using a communication board, look for opportunities to model these different purposes throughout the day.
For example:
Commenting: While playing with toy cars, point to FAST and say, “That car is FAST!”
Expressing opinions: During snack time, point to LIKE and say, “I LIKE these crackers!”
Protesting: If a game piece falls off the table, point to NO and say, “Oh NO!”
Sharing feelings: During a story, point to SAD and say, “He looks SAD.”
Social interaction: When greeting someone, point to HELLO while saying, “HELLO! It's good to see you!”
You don't need to ask the AAC user to repeat these messages or demonstrate that they understand them. You're simply showing how the communication board can be used to express different thoughts and ideas.
The more communication purposes we model, the more possibilities we demonstrate.
Remember, meaningful communication isn't just about getting what we need. It's also about sharing who we are, what we think, and how we feel.
Strategy #7: Follow Their Interests and Let Communication Happen Naturally
One of the best ways to encourage meaningful communication is to pay attention to what the AAC user is already interested in.
Rather than choosing every activity or deciding what someone should communicate about, look for opportunities to join them in something they enjoy.
If someone loves dinosaurs, bring a communication board into dinosaur play. Model words like BIG, GO, EAT, or FUN while exploring the toys together.
If they're interested in music, model words like LOUD, QUIET, MORE, STOP, or LIKE while listening to their favorite songs.
If they enjoy cooking, use the board to comment on ingredients, make choices, describe what you're doing, or share opinions about the food.
The activity doesn't need to be complicated or carefully planned. Sometimes the most meaningful communication opportunities happen during spontaneous moments.
Let the person's interests guide the interaction.
And remember, it's okay if they don't use the communication board every time you model a word. They may be watching, listening, participating in another way, or simply enjoying the activity.
Continue making AAC available, modeling naturally, and responding to their communication without pressure.
The goal isn't to get someone to point to a certain number of symbols or complete a particular task.
The goal is to give them meaningful ways to participate, connect, and express themselves.
See AAC Modeling in Action
Want to see how a communication board can be incorporated into a familiar play activity? Watch this example of using a communication board with play dough to support meaningful communication.
Conclusion: Making AAC Part of Everyday Life
Learning how to use a communication board doesn't have to be complicated.
You don't need special activities, perfectly planned lessons, or a response every time you model a word. What matters most is making communication accessible and creating opportunities for meaningful interaction throughout the day.
Start small. Choose a familiar activity, keep the communication board nearby, and model a few useful words while you talk. Give the person time to respond, acknowledge all forms of communication, and follow their interests whenever possible.
Remember that learning to use AAC is an ongoing process. Every communicator is different, and progress may look different from one person to another.
Communication isn't about producing the right answer. It's about having a voice, sharing experiences, making choices, and connecting with others.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, teacher, or speech-language pathologist, the most important thing you can do is help make communication a natural and valued part of everyday life.
Everyone deserves meaningful ways to communicate.
Looking for communication boards to use during everyday activities?
At All Hands On Language, you'll find printable communication boards designed to support meaningful communication during familiar routines, play, and everyday experiences. Explore our AAC resources and discover practical ways to make communication more accessible at home, in the classroom, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Communication Boards
FAQ 1 How do you introduce a communication board for the first time?
Start by making the communication board available during a familiar, enjoyable activity. Rather than asking the person to identify symbols or demonstrate what they know, model a few meaningful words yourself while talking naturally.
For example, during play, you might point to GO as you say, “Ready, set, GO!”
Give the person opportunities to explore the board without pressure. You don't need to teach every symbol before the board can be used.
FAQ 2 Should I make someone use their communication board?
No. A communication board should provide another way to communicate, not become a requirement for having needs acknowledged.
If someone communicates through speech, gestures, facial expressions, or another method, respond to their message. You can model the corresponding vocabulary on the board without requiring them to imitate you.
The goal is to support communication, not force a particular response.
FAQ 3 How often should I model words on a communication board?
There isn't a single number of times you need to model each day.
Instead of focusing on a specific amount, look for natural opportunities during everyday routines. You might model a few words during breakfast, play, getting dressed, or bedtime.
Consistent opportunities to see AAC used meaningfully are more important than trying to reach a certain number of modeled words.
FAQ 4 What if someone doesn't point to the communication board?
That's okay! Communication can happen in many ways, and not every interaction needs to involve selecting a symbol.
Continue making the board available, modeling vocabulary naturally, and acknowledging the person's other forms of communication.
If the board is consistently difficult to access or doesn't seem to meet the person's needs, an AAC-experienced speech-language pathologist can help evaluate the vocabulary, layout, access method, and other communication options.
FAQ 5 Can communication boards be used with people who already speak?
Absolutely! AAC isn't only for people who are completely non-speaking.
Communication boards can also support people who use some spoken language, have difficulty finding words, need visual support, or experience situations when speech is difficult or unreliable.
AAC can complement spoken language and provide additional ways to express thoughts, feelings, needs, and ideas.
Comments