Plain-English help with AAC — communication boards, getting started, and real life with a nonspeaking child. From the SpeakAnyWay family.https://speakanyway.com/blog/en-ushttps://speakanyway.com/blog/choosing-aac/aac-app-vs-dedicated-device/https://speakanyway.com/blog/choosing-aac/aac-app-vs-dedicated-device/Apps are cheaper and faster to start; dedicated devices bring durability, access options, and funding routes. Who each is right for — without the sales pitch.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTchoosing-aacchoosing-aacdevicesappshttps://speakanyway.com/blog/for-educators/aac-in-the-iep/https://speakanyway.com/blog/for-educators/aac-in-the-iep/IEP communication goals fail in vague language. How to write and read AAC supports that translate to a real Tuesday — for the teacher who implements them.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTfor-educatorsfor-educatorsiepcommunication-goalshttps://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/aac-myths-that-keep-families-waiting/https://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/aac-myths-that-keep-families-waiting/Too young, not ready, last resort, it'll stop speech — the myths families hear about AAC, and what research and lived experience say instead.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTaac-basicsaac-basicsmythshttps://speakanyway.com/blog/for-educators/back-to-school-aac/https://speakanyway.com/blog/for-educators/back-to-school-aac/The AAC that works in September gets built in August. A pre-launch checklist for teachers: boards placed, staff briefed, vocabulary loaded before the bell.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTfor-educatorsfor-educatorsback-to-schoolclassroom-setuphttps://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/bring-your-boards-when-you-switch-apps/https://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/bring-your-boards-when-you-switch-apps/Switching AAC apps doesn't mean starting over. How to move your boards — and protect the thing that matters most: where the words live.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThow-tohow-toswitching-appscommunication-boardshttps://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/communication-boards-for-doctor-and-dentist-visits/https://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/communication-boards-for-doctor-and-dentist-visits/Medical visits are scary when you can't say 'it hurts' or 'stop.' A visit board gives your child those words — here's what to include and how to prep.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThow-tohow-tocommunication-boardsmedical-visitshttps://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/core-words-vs-fringe-words/https://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/core-words-vs-fringe-words/Core words are the small set of flexible words we use constantly; fringe words are the specific ones. Here's the difference and why boards need both.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTaac-basicsaac-basicsvocabularycore-wordshttps://speakanyway.com/blog/choosing-aac/free-and-low-cost-aac-options/https://speakanyway.com/blog/choosing-aac/free-and-low-cost-aac-options/Communication shouldn't start behind a paywall. The free AAC that's genuinely worth using — paper boards, universal core resources, and free app tiers.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTchoosing-aacchoosing-aacfreebudgethttps://speakanyway.com/blog/for-educators/free-printable-aac-boards-for-the-classroom/https://speakanyway.com/blog/for-educators/free-printable-aac-boards-for-the-classroom/Printable communication boards cost nothing, survive juice, and serve the whole class. Which boards to print, where to get them free, and how to use them.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTfor-educatorsfor-educatorsprintablesclassroomhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/for-slps/getting-the-whole-team-on-the-same-board/https://speakanyway.com/blog/for-slps/getting-the-whole-team-on-the-same-board/When home, classroom, and therapy each run different AAC, the student pays the tax. How to align the team on one system without owning every update yourself.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTfor-slpsfor-slpsteam-collaborationconsistencyhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/grandparents-and-babysitters-using-aac/https://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/grandparents-and-babysitters-using-aac/Your child's other adults don't need a course — they need three habits and permission to be imperfect. How to hand off AAC to grandma in five minutes.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThow-tohow-tofamilycommunication-partnershttps://speakanyway.com/blog/for-slps/handing-off-boards-to-families/https://speakanyway.com/blog/for-slps/handing-off-boards-to-families/The boards you build die in backpacks without a handoff system. A workflow for getting AAC home — and getting it used there — that holds up past October.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTfor-slpsfor-slpsfamily-handoffcarryoverhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/how-to-start-aac-at-home/https://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/how-to-start-aac-at-home/You don't need to wait for an evaluation to give your child more ways to communicate. A simple starter board, one routine, and modeling go a long way.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTaac-basicsaac-basicsgetting-startedhow-tohttps://speakanyway.com/blog/for-slps/managing-an-aac-caseload/https://speakanyway.com/blog/for-slps/managing-an-aac-caseload/Twenty AAC students shouldn't mean twenty from-scratch board sets. Template thinking, reusable cores, and AI drafting for the caseload that keeps growing.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTfor-slpsfor-slpscaseloadworkflowhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/mealtime-communication-board/https://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/mealtime-communication-board/Mealtimes happen three times a day, every day — perfect for AAC practice. What goes on a mealtime board and how to use it without turning dinner into therapy.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThow-tohow-tocommunication-boardsmealtimeshttps://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/modeling-aided-language-input/https://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/modeling-aided-language-input/Modeling means using your child's AAC yourself as you talk — tap the symbol, say the word, expect nothing back. It's the habit that makes AAC work.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTaac-basicsaac-basicsmodelinghow-tohttps://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/my-child-got-an-aac-recommendation-now-what/https://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/my-child-got-an-aac-recommendation-now-what/An AAC recommendation can feel like a lot. What it actually means, what happens next, and what you can do this week while the process unfolds.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTaac-basicsaac-basicsgetting-startedevaluationhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/restaurant-menu-into-aac-board/https://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/restaurant-menu-into-aac-board/Snap a photo of the menu and turn it into a communication board your child can order from. How it works and why ordering for yourself matters so much.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThow-tohow-tocommunication-boardseating-outaihttps://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/school-morning-routine-board/https://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/school-morning-routine-board/School mornings are rushed, repetitive, and emotional — ideal for AAC. How to build a routine board that survives 7am and lowers the daily friction.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThow-tohow-toroutinesschoolhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/for-educators/sub-friendly-visual-supports/https://speakanyway.com/blog/for-educators/sub-friendly-visual-supports/Substitute days are when communication supports matter most and get used least. What to put in the sub folder so your students' voices work without you.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTfor-educatorsfor-educatorssubstitutesvisual-supportshttps://speakanyway.com/blog/choosing-aac/ten-questions-before-paying-for-aac/https://speakanyway.com/blog/choosing-aac/ten-questions-before-paying-for-aac/A buyer's checklist for AAC apps and devices — ownership, exportability, real costs, and the trial questions that reveal whether a tool fits your child.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTchoosing-aacchoosing-aacbuying-guidehttps://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/three-boards-every-new-communicator-needs/https://speakanyway.com/blog/how-to/three-boards-every-new-communicator-needs/Skip the blank-page problem. A first-words board, a feelings board, and a favorites board cover most of early AAC life — here's what goes on each.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThow-tohow-tocommunication-boardsgetting-startedhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/for-slps/trialing-aac-with-a-student/https://speakanyway.com/blog/for-slps/trialing-aac-with-a-student/How to run a low-stakes AAC trial that produces real decision data — without waiting on procurement or betting a family's buy-in on the wrong system.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTfor-slpsfor-slpsaac-trialsassessmenthttps://speakanyway.com/blog/choosing-aac/what-aac-really-costs/https://speakanyway.com/blog/choosing-aac/what-aac-really-costs/Dedicated devices can run thousands; apps run from free to subscription. An honest map of AAC costs, funding routes, and where the price of entry is now $0.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTchoosing-aacchoosing-aaccostfundinghttps://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/what-is-a-communication-board/https://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/what-is-a-communication-board/A communication board is a grid of symbols a child can point to instead of speaking. What it is, what goes on it, and how to use one without pressure.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTaac-basicsaac-basicscommunication-boardsgetting-startedhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/what-is-aac/https://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/what-is-aac/AAC means every way your child can communicate besides speech — gestures, boards, apps. Here's what it is and where to start, minus the jargon.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTaac-basicsaac-basicsgetting-startedhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/real-life/why-i-built-speakanyway/https://speakanyway.com/blog/real-life/why-i-built-speakanyway/I'm Brittany — software engineer, and mom of two nonspeaking boys. SpeakAnyWay exists because the tools my family needed were too expensive and too complicated.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTreal-lifereal-lifefounderour-storyhttps://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/will-aac-stop-my-child-from-talking/https://speakanyway.com/blog/aac-basics/will-aac-stop-my-child-from-talking/The fear that AAC replaces speech keeps families waiting. Research reviews say the opposite: AAC doesn't hinder speech — it often helps it grow.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTaac-basicsaac-basicsresearchmyths