#149 - Teaching Protesting With AAC

Welcome back to the Autism Little Learners Podcast! Today, we're talking about something that often gets overlooked when we think about AAC and autism—teaching and honoring protests. So often, AAC is used mostly for requesting items. But communication is about so much more. Autistic children need to know how to use their AAC systems for autism to say no, stop, don't like, all done, or help. In this episode, I'll share why honoring protest is essential, what the difference is between acknowledging and honoring protests, and how modeling protest words on AAC for autistic kids builds trust, reduces frustration, and empowers children with self-advocacy. I'll also walk you through the 8 Steps to Honor Protests—a simple framework you can start using right away in your classroom, therapy sessions, or at home. So let's dive in and discover why protest isn't just communication—it's empowerment. Takeaways:  AAC and autism go hand in hand—AAC should be used for more than requesting; it's for all communication. Protest is valid communication, not misbehavior. Honoring protests means changing, pausing, or stopping an activity when possible. Acknowledging protests means validating and empathizing, even if you can't change what's happening. AAC systems for autism should always include words for no, stop, don't like, all done, and different. Modeling protest words daily helps children learn how to set boundaries and self-advocate. Honoring protests builds trust and prevents escalation into meltdowns or shutdowns. Following the 8 Steps to Honor Protests shifts teams and families from compliance to connection. Link: 8 Steps To Honoring Protests Freebie: https://autismlittlelearners.myflodesk.com/ofzbilarwd You May Also Like: Visual Support Starter Set (Free Download): www.autismlittlelearners.com/visuals Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook