Using Keywords to Communicate with an AAC System

1. Pick the most important word you want to communicate.
   ○ Example: To say “I’d like to eat an apple”, focus on apple.
2. Find the word in categories:
   ○ Food → Fruit → Apple
3. Add related words if needed:
   ○ Action: Actions → Eat
   ○ Description: Describe → Color → Red

Other Examples:

1. “I want to drink water.”
   ○ Keyword: Water → Drinks → Water
   ○ Action: Actions → Drink
2. “I feel happy today.”
   ○ Keyword: Happy → Feelings → Happy
3. “I need help with my shoes.”
   ○ Keyword: Help → Requests → Help
   ○ Item: Clothing → Shoes
4. “I want to watch TV.”
   ○ Keyword: TV → Activities → TV
   ○ Action: Actions → Watch
5. “I have pain in my leg.”
   ○ Keyword: Pain → Feelings/Health → Pain
   ○ Item/Location: Body → Leg

Why use keywords:

• This way of communicating with keywords can be used both by the person using the AAC device to express themselves and by their communication partner to support understanding and comprehension.
• Focusing on keywords allows messages to be faster, clearer, and easier to understand.
• Communication partners can model the same keywords or help locate them on the device, reinforcing learning and making conversations smoother.

Download and print the PDF at the bottom of this page for quick reference to these instructions.