Working with Bilingual AAC Users

by Liliana Diaz February 05, 2019

Working with Bilingual AAC Users

Working with a Bilingual AAC user for the first time could be a little overwhelming, especially if you are not quite sure where to start. Perhaps you have questions about language choice, modeling, or how to incorporate both languages with your student’s system. Do not panic, here are some helpful tips to remember when working with bilingual AAC users.

  1. All AAC modeling rules still apply. This means that you will still model language for your student and anyone working with the student should continue to provide models throughout the day.
  2. Aided language stimulation still applies. You will still need to be using the AAC system and “touching” the system while you are communicating with the student.
  3. The chain of cues will still apply as well. Use whatever cues work best for the student.
  4. We must remember that adding another language to a student’s device will not confuse the student.
  5. If we want the the student to be a successful AAC user across all environments and with all communication partners then we must embrace the student’s method of communication in all its forms. Yes, that means using both languages in therapy.
  6. Utilizing the student’s home language during your therapy sessions is important in order to teach carry-over of skills into all settings. Otherwise, how will the student’s family communicate with the student if they are speaking another language other than English?
  7. It is important to realize the sociocultural and communicative nature of literacy. This means that you will have to use both the home language and English in the student’s pictures for low tech users or have another language page on if the student is utilizing a dynamic device


Liliana Diaz
Liliana Diaz

Author


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in For SLPs

Why Bilingual AAC Users Should Have Access to Both Languages
Why Bilingual AAC Users Should Have Access to Both Languages

by Liliana Diaz December 14, 2023

Plain and simple, ALL bilingual AAC users should ALWAYS have access to both languages on their AAC systems, and here's why...

Continue Reading

5 Tips tp Teach the CH Sound
5 Tips tp Teach the CH Sound

by Liliana Diaz July 23, 2023

Have a client on your caseload that is demonstrating difficulty producing the CH sound? Perhaps you're a parent whose child is in speech therapy working on the CH sound? The CH sound can be a tricky sound to teach because it's hard to visually see what's going on inside the mouth when saying the sound. But no worries, here are some tips to help achieve that tricky CH sound. 

Continue Reading

6 Things SLPs Can Do To Support Students in Dual Language Immersion Programs
6 Things SLPs Can Do To Support Students in Dual Language Immersion Programs

by Liliana Diaz February 13, 2023 1 Comment

As speech language pathologists who work with culturally and linguistically students, we need to know exactly how to respond to negative beliefs and comments about dual language programs and their impact on our English language learners. We need to know how to advocate for our students and ensure that they are getting the supports they need. Bilingual speech language pathologist, Stephanie Rivera Cepeda provides some interesting facts and tips for all SLPs working with this population. 

Continue Reading

English en
x