189. AAC + Social Communication: How Do You Do It?

If you work with minimally speaking children using low-tech or high-tech AAC, this episode is for you. A brand-new systematic review has just been published, but the underlying research is sparse, messy, and often mislabeled. Today, we’ll dig through the “recycle bin” of studies to uncover what actually works, why commenting is more powerful than requesting, and how to take action on Monday morning. You’ll learn: -Why are many so-called “commenting interventions” really prompted responses to labeling questions, not true initiations -The pivotal role of combining words in AAC for speech development and generative language -Why modeling and scaffolding work and what research says about prompting hierarchies -How to apply the triangle of evidence-based practice when published protocols don’t exist -Download my free 30 Minute M.O.D.E.L. workshop to share with colleagues and caregivers: https://www.kellyvess.com/aac 💡 Ready-to-Go Tools: Don’t waste hours planning therapy. Get empirically-based, literacy-rich, movement-based activities delivered to you every week inside the SIS Membership. You’ll get: -Weekly theme-based Google Slides decks for individual, group, and teletherapy sessions -Engaging multisensory activities that target speech, language, and literacy, all ready to use Join now at https://www.kellyvess.com/sis and transform your therapy sessions with tools backed by research and designed for real-world success. Spencer, T. D., Tönsing, K., & Dada, S. (2025). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions that promote commenting: A systematic review. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–14.