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Sidewalks & Signs — Finding Environmental Print

When we picture a child learning to read, we tend to lock ourselves into a rigid image: a quiet room, a stack of flashcards, or a traditional book. But for emergent AAC users, the absolute best reading material isn’t found on a library shelf—it is living out on our sidewalks, storefronts, and playgrounds. Welcome to Week 2 of our AAC & Literacy in the Wild series! Today, we are discussing how to utilize high-interest environmental print to bridge the gap between icons on a speech screen and concrete meaning in the real world, completely free of testing pressure.

The “Go-Bag” — Prepping for Low-Stress Outdoor Literacy

It’s easy to maintain a great AAC modeling and literacy routine when you’re sitting at a quiet therapy desk or a comfy living room couch. But what happens when you step out the front door? If you are tired of balancing keys, bags, and heavy devices while managing public meltdowns, you don’t need a wagon full of materials—you just need a strategic plan. Welcome to Week 1 of our “AAC & Literacy in the Wild” series! Today, we’re breaking down exactly what goes into a low-stress community “go-bag,” from alternative pencils to portable print.

Celebrating Growth: How to Document and Celebrate Small Literacy Wins

As therapists and educators, we are trained to look for percentages and accuracy charts. But when it comes to emergent literacy and AAC users, growth rarely looks linear. In our 12-week series finale, we are redefining what a “literacy win” actually looks like. Learn how to track meaningful, qualitative indicators—like shared regulation, device exploration, and communication autonomy—using simple, low-stress documentation methods that keep you present in the moment.

Shared Reading for Older AAC Users: Age-Respectful Strategies

Walk into almost any secondary specialized classroom, and you will likely see teenagers being read baby books because of their perceived “cognitive level.” It’s a systemic issue that strips away a learner’s dignity. In Week 11 of our shared reading series, we are challenging this status quo. Learn how to presume potential using Hi-Lo books, digital articles, and modified chapter books so your older AAC users can access rich, age-respectful literacy.

What Shared Reading Can Look Like Across the Day: Not Just at Story Time

When you hear the words “story time,” do you immediately picture a classroom rug or a traditional bedtime routine? If we only open books during these tiny windows, our AAC users miss out on massive literacy opportunities. In Week 10 of our series, we are breaking out of the “story time box” and exploring simple, no-prep ways to inject functional reading into transitions, kitchen routines, and floor play.

Managing “Book Refusal” and Respecting Autonomy

You prepped the perfect book, set up the sensory tools, opened the AAC system… and your learner slammed the book shut. It’s a heart-sinking moment, but it isn’t a failure. In Week 9 of our series, we are discussing why book refusal is actually a massive win for autonomy, how to honor a child’s “no,” and alternative paths to literacy when the physical book stays closed.

After the Book: Easy Follow-Up Literacy Activities for AAC Users

Looking for ways to extend your shared reading lessons? Learn how to build comprehensive literacy skills with follow-up activities designed for AAC users. We’re sharing five easy, low-stress strategies like sensory story bins and text-to-self photo hunts that generalize core vocabulary and keep engagement high long after the book is closed.

5 Common Myths About Shared Reading with AAC Users

Discover why traditional literacy rules often fail AAC users and how a neurodiversity-affirming approach can change everything. This post tackles 5 common myths about shared reading, including the truth about adapted books, testing vs. commenting, and what ‘successful’ communication actually looks like. Stop focusing on the rules and start focusing on engagement.