One way to promote an inclusive environment for students who use AAC is by utilizing a large core board poster. This can simultaneously teach the class what AAC is and how to use it while creating opportunities for exploration and modeling by all students. The process of making and using a classroom-sized board can be overwhelming at first. Here are three things to keep in mind when using a large core board:

• Vocabulary: When choosing what words to include on the board, focus on high frequency core words. Ensure that the board can be used for most reasons to communicate, not just to label or request items. Use the student’s AAC device for inspiration. In terms of fringe vocabulary, it can be tempting to add all of the vocabulary being learned in class. To keep the board from becoming overwhelming, utilize physical items or manipulatives of fringe vocabulary when modeling with the board. For example, if reading a story about brown bears, use a stuffed animal as the brown bear character.  

• Accessibility: Make sure the board is at an appropriate height for all students to access. The words and symbols should also be big enough for all students to see. If it’s overstimulating to hang it up on the wall, consider making the board portable. The board can be on its own or it can hang  from a rolling clothes rack. By being portable, the board is user friendly and can be moved throughout different classrooms if needed. Additionally, consider printing out smaller versions of the board to have on hand around the classroom for easy modeling or use when it’s not feasible to go over to the larger board.

• Activities:  A classroom board can be utilized during daily classroom activities. Some examples include being used at morning circle to greet each other and ask and answer questions, give directions at times of transition, and discuss the class book being read at shared reading time. 

Written by Sarah Black (SLP Graduate Student)