Starting the AAC Conversation with Caregivers

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Daj Mitchell—school-based SLP, online educator, and Illinois State University graduate—about getting everyone on board with AAC. With over six years of experience serving pediatric and adult clients across settings, Daj breaks down her buy-in stair step framework and explains why many SLPs accidentally skip to the last step. She shares practical strategies for coaching parents and staff, building real collaboration, and improving carryover beyond the therapy room. They also explore Daj’s work in AI, AAC, and neurodiversity-affirming care, along with how she supports fellow clinicians through education and social media. This one’s for any SLP who’s ever handed a family a home program and never heard about it again.Bullet Points to Discuss: What the AAC buy-in stair step framework actually looks likeHow adult learning theory applies to parent and stakeholder coachingWhy video modeling works better than handouts for skeptical caregiversHow to use Google Forms, scheduled emails, and templates to manage AAC collaboration without eating your lunchWhat an AAC profile spreadsheet is and why Daj swears by itHow to extend the same coaching framework to teachers, paras, and adminHere’s what we learned: Buy-in has three parts. Acceptance, willingness to support, and active participation are not the same thing—and most caregivers are only at step one.Don’t skip ahead. Handing over a home program before a caregiver is ready guarantees the device stays on the refrigerator.Adults need a reason. Connect AAC to something that already matters in their life and they’ll move faster.Start with one win. Find the routine they actually care about and build from there.Set it and forget it. Once your emails and forms are built, your collaboration system basically runs itself.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Learn more about Daj Mitchell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourslpdaj/ Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:  📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-bookSubscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets