Alphabet Charts & Books

ABC spelling charts

Alphabet communication book templates

Alphabets you can eye point to

Alphabets you can point to

Charts with the alphabet + some words and phrases to point to

Coded alphabet charts

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Frequency layout spelling charts

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Listener Mediated Scanning

QWERTY alphabet charts

Education resources

Developing Access Methods

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Customisable symbol charts for communication available in five layouts to support different access methods.

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AAC in Action: Tasty Traditions

This guide is designed to support educational settings through the process of creating an AAC policy that is unique to them and the needs of their students and staff. The document outlines practical steps for integrating AAC into daily classroom activities, ensuring that AAC users can participate fully and learn effectively. It also highlights the importance of fostering a supportive culture that values diverse communication methods and promotes understanding and inclusion. 
We created this free online guide, directed by the original Developing AAC Policies in Schools document created in 2001, whilst working alongside and within several education settings. The aim is to pull from and share our recent joined up experience to assist education teams through the process of creating an AAC policy that is unique to them and the needs of their students and staff. The guide addresses key points for effective AAC policies to include:
<ul>
<li>Introduction</li>
<li>Defining AAC</li>
<li>The need for an AAC policy statement</li>
<li>The educational context</li>
<li>Legal considerations in the use of AAC</li>
<li>Roles and responsibilities</li>
<li>Ongoing training and development</li>
<li>Transition</li>
<li>Funding options</li>
<li>Conclusion</li>
</ul>
Each section in this guide has been designed to promote discussion and planning throughout the process of creating your AAC policy whilst providing examples from existing school policies and considerations to explore within your setting.

A Guide to Writing an Effective AAC Policy in Education Settings

Free online eBook or download as PDF

Getting Started with Core Words

Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources

Communication Partners

AAC in Action: Autumn Festivals

Getting Started with Yes/No

AAC in Action: Festive Season

Simon Says... Sing a Carol!

Easter Egg Hunt

For more information about creating symbol based materials click <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/getting-started-with-paper-based-symbol-resources">here to access our Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources eBook</a>
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/all?category=symbol-charts">Click here to download free symbol based AAC charts featuring core words.</a>
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/learning/search?category=communication">Visit Ace Centre Learning for live and on demand training courses on introducing symbol based AAC here</a>

Getting Started with Modelling

Modelling, aided language stimulation, point talking – are different ways of saying the same thing: that it is important to point to symbols while you talk to someone who is using symbols to communicate.
This leaflet is a starting point for introducing the concept and importance of modelling for communication partners who are supporting someone learning to use symbol based AAC systems.
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/matter-education-edition">See the Education Edition of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-education-pack">See the Education Edition Participant Pack of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter">See the Family Edition of You Matter here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-pack">See the Family Edition Participant Pack of You Matter here</a></li>
</ul>

You-Matter - Education Edition

A one day course for educational staff in using aided communication
You Matter Education Edition aims to support and empower professionals working with children who use aided communication (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). This includes children who use communication aids and children who use symbol-based communication books and charts.
<h2>Course Learning Outcomes:</h2>
Awareness of the benefits of aided communication 
Be able to identify the aided communication stage of children in your class 
Select appropriate vocabulary for the five stages of aided communication 
Become an effective aided communication partner 
Be able to set targets
The course provides practical guidance on how education staff can become effective communication partners to support a child using aided communication to communicate, participate and learn within the classroom and beyond.Full You Matter Education Bundle &#8211; this includes:
<ul>
<li>1x Tutor Guide, resource pack &amp; digital delivery of course content</li>
<li>10 x Resource packs for participants</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/you-matter-education-pack/">Additional packs available here</a>

AAC Accredited Module

The AAC Module can be combined with an additional 30 credits from one of two further modules (The Access Unit or Assistive Technology for Complex Communication, Physical &amp; Learning Needs) to gain the PGCert Specialist Assistive Technology, awarded by University of Dundee.

Kerplunk

Bubbles

Blocks

Dressing up

Turn Taking

Balloons

Tea Time

Train Play

Dolly

Mr Potato Head

Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/fCgGy8dFIFE">this video</a> to learn about the eBook features
There is a lot of emphasis on communication partner skills in this resource. That is because communication does not happen in isolation – it is a social act involving two or more people. The person who is communicating with someone who cannot rely on speech needs to develop a range of skills that will enable them to support that person to fulfil their potential.
Please note that this resource is not suggesting that paper-based AAC is ‘best’, or that using paper-based communication resources is a prerequisite to using an electronic communication aid. It is simply about valuing the role of paper-based communication systems, and sharing lots of ideas and strategies to help develop and support them. You may well find that many of the ideas and strategies are useful when it comes to other forms of communication too

The aim of this resource is to introduce you to paper-based AAC involving symbols to enable you to support those who can’t rely on speech to communicate. Communication enables us to express ourselves, learn, have fun and be active members of society. Supporting communication with symbols can unlock so many opportunities for those unable to rely upon speech to communicate.

Elf on the Shelf

A 16 location symbol chart to support communication when the Elf on the Shelf turns up! This download includes charts with Widgit, PCS and High Contrast symbols.

You-Matter Education Edition – Resource Pack

10 Pack

5 Pack

You-Matter Family Edition – Participant Pack

Talk Together will work within a range of communication software including Tobii Communicator, Mind Express and The Grid 2 and Grid 3 software. There are minor differences in layout and appearance between the different versions, and the symbols used will depend upon the software it is used within.
The vocabulary complements our bestselling <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/developing-using-communication-book/">Guide to Developing and Using a Communication Book</a>, and the Sternberg award-winning <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/look2talk/">Look2Talk</a> guide to making a communication book for eye-pointing communicators.
Just like with the communication book resources, Talk Together promotes the use of a consistently located core vocabulary that grows over a number of stages, from just two items at the Introductory Stage through to a wealth of vocabulary at Stages 4/5.
<h2>How to get hold of Talk Together</h2>
Talk Together is free, provided you own one of the communication software options below.  It is available from the suppliers of the software:
<ul>
<li>Talk Together for Grid 3 can be downloaded from <a href="https://grids.thinksmartbox.com/en">Online Grids.</a>  If you’re using The Grid 2, contact <a href="https://thinksmartbox.com/">Smartbox</a></li>
<li>If you’re using Mind Express software, Talk Together can be downloaded from <a href="http://www.mindexpress.be/index.php">Techess.</a> Or you can contact them directly on 01476 512881</li>
<li>For Tobii Communicator software, contact <a href="http://www.tobiidynavox.com">Tobii Dynavox </a></li>
</ul>
<h2>The benefits</h2>
<ul>
<li>Gives easy access to a stable core vocabulary from every topic page.</li>
<li>Provides a structured approach to organising personalised vocabulary.</li>
<li>A page-by-page guide is integrated into the vocabulary to help with the big issues like how to introduce it, how to help young people to learn it, and how to support their developing skills.</li>
<li>The role of the communication partner and their skills is discussed throughout.</li>
<li>Emphasises the importance of play and having fun, particularly in the early stages.</li>
<li>Switch, eye gaze and keyguard-friendly page design.</li>
<li>Early literacy skills are encouraged and supported with phonic alphabets, storytelling and story reading pages.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Who is it for?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Talk Together is ideal for children and young people who need to use symbols to communicate.</li>
<li>Supports the vocabulary development of children and young people who have just begun to use a communication aid, through to more complex symbol use.</li>
<li>Children and young people using a wide range of access methods, from touchscreens to eye gaze to switches.</li>
</ul>
Licensed via <a href="https://choosealicense.com/licenses/gpl-3.0/">GPL v3</a>
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Talk Together

Talk Together is a unique new way for a young person and their communication partners to communicate together. From the very beginning, this innovative vocabulary package encourages involvement in modelling and supporting a developing vocabulary – all within a highly intuitive set of pages that enables young people say what they want. A wealth of on-screen support and ideas are available at the touch of a button on every page, so there’s no need to feel lost or to constantly refer to the manu

Appraising an AAC Resource in a Language You Do Not Speak

Language Questionnaire

TextAloud

SpeakBook

Please note: The Microsoft Word template included in the download was designed for use in the desktop app. Using it in the online version of Word may cause formatting issues. There is also a PDF version available. 
When printing you can choose double-sided and select “flip on short edge” to create a correctly oriented booklet.

Practical Tips when working with AAC Users who communicate in Languages Other than English

<div>
<div>This helpsheet was created by a group of AAC Practitioners who work in NHS England Specialised AAC services. It offers practitioner-informed tips to support equitable practice across languages, outlining foundation and enhanced skills as a flexible starting point for ongoing learning and development.</div>
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Gardening

Cooking

Using AAC to Play

8, 16 and 30 location symbol charts to support communication when going on a egg hunt. Ask for or give clues to find eggs and fill up your basket!
This download includes an information sheet to help you get started and charts with Widgit, PCS and High Contrast symbols.

Please note: The Microsoft Word template included in the download was designed for use in the desktop app. Using it in the online version of Word may cause formatting issues. There is also a PDF version available.

<div>The Language Questionnaire: Understanding the AAC needs of people who communicate in languages other than English is a practical, conversation‑based tool designed to help professionals gather essential information about a person’s language use, literacy skills, and AAC requirements.  It supports effective assessment for multilingual AAC users of all ages.</div>
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Colours

A 30 location symbol chart to support communication when baking or cooking up your favourite treats in the run up to a special event &#8230; or any day of the year!
This download includes an information sheet to help you get started and charts with Widgit, PCS and High Contrast symbols.

Getting Started with AAC and Literacy

Supporting Literacy with AAC

This leaflet is a starting point for introducing the concept and importance of core words to people who are creating symbol based AAC materials.
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A practical resource that provides activity and modelling ideas to support AAC users during the autumnal celebrations of Halloween, Diwali, and Bonfire Night. By focusing on core, descriptive, and action words already present in AAC systems, the resource promotes spontaneous communication, language generalisation, and reduces the need for adding rarely used, event-specific vocabulary
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Splash! V.2

<h5>Splash! is a unique Maths and Shapes software programme. It contains activities and worksheets that cover: number, geometry and shapes, measurement and graphs. Splash! has been designed to support pupils who have access issues, particularly those who have difficulty controlling a computer mouse and/or keyboard and has features that support pupils with low vision.</h5>

FUNctional Switching

Express Yourself!

<div>
Express Yourself is a practical guide by Deborah Little and Clare Thorn, packed with ideas to support communication, participation and self-expression during circle time for learners who use AAC and Assistive Technology. It also includes a reflective worksheet for class teams to use together, helping them evaluate current practice and identify opportunities to strengthen learner voice and engagement.
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AAC in the Classroom

<div>A practical resource showing how food‑based activities linked to cultural celebrations from around the British Isles (Burns Night, Pancake Day, St. David&#8217;s Day and St. Patrick&#8217;s Day) can support richer AAC use, including descriptive, comparative, preference and maths‑related language. It offers simple ideas to help learners share opinions, make comparisons and take part in meaningful, curriculum‑linked communication at home and in the classroom.</div>
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Use this worksheet to generate ideas about words and pages relevant to an individual which can be used to personalise or expand their communication book or system.
This resource was created as part of the Developing and Using a Communication Book (DUCB) manual. <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/developing-using-communication-book">To find out more about the DUCB visit this webpage</a> or go to <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/learning/search">Ace Centre Learning here where courses on the DUCB are regularly offered</a>.

Identifying Vocabulary to personalise AAC

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-23843 aligncenter" src="https://acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-300x64.jpg" alt="" width="221" height="47" srcset="https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-300x64.jpg 300w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-1024x219.jpg 1024w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-768x165.jpg 768w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-640x137.jpg 640w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002-600x129.jpg 600w, https://backend.acecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TM-logo-002.jpg 1055w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" />
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A free resource to support Teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, etc. to have a discussion about ‘Readiness for AAC’ with their clients. The resource was funded by Ace Centre and created collaboratively with <a href="http://www.talkingmats.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Talking Mats</a>.  <a href="https://acecentre.org.uk/project/talking-mats-for-aac/">Learn more about the project here </a>

A brush strokeResources

Resources