Activity 10: The Name Game

Re-naming AAC devices and tools: Students engage in activities and discussions re-naming and personalizing their AAC tools.

Purpose

Students learn how to advocate for what is in their AAC systems, including what others should call their different AAC tools.

Activity

Read the sentences below. They have information about communication tools and strategies. Fill in the blanks below or circle your favorite option. For every item, think about what you would call it. What word or label makes sense to you? What name do you like? You’re in charge. When you are done re-naming your tools, share the names you’ve decided on with others. Maybe post the completed worksheet at your desk, or email it to your teachers and therapists. You’re the boss – you decide.

1. I use a communication device that is called a ________. I like to call it my ____________ (e.g., talker, device, AAC device, machine, speech-generating device, talking computer, etc.).
2. I use a communication picture book that is called a __________. I like to call it my ______________ (e.g., low tech book, symbol book, word book, big-honking book, etc.).
3. I use my eyes to talk about things. When I do that, I call that _________________ (e.g., eye gazing, eye pointing, eye talking, look and talk, eye magic, etc.).
4. I use a special device that helps me to use my head as a computer mouse to access my communication device. I like to call it my ________________ (e.g., Tracker, head-pointer, head-mouse, etc.).
5. I use a little gray piece of reflective material on my ______ (e.g., head, glasses, hat, etc.) that helps me to use my head as a computer mouse to access my communication device. I like to call it my ___________ (e.g., gray dot, bindi, head dot, etc.).