Modeling means using a child's AAC yourself while you talk: you say "more juice?" and tap more and juice as you say them. It is also called aided language input, aided language stimulation or augmented input. The idea is simple. Children learn to talk by hearing people talk to them for years before they say much themselves. A child who uses pictures or an app needs to see those being used in the same way.
Why it matters
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) describes augmented input as "based on the concept that language input provides a model for language development": the communication partner "provides spoken words along with AAC symbols". ASHA's summary of the research says:
- It helps children understand symbols. The approach "can lead to increased symbol comprehension in young AAC users" (Binger and Light, 2007; Drager and colleagues, 2006 and 2010).
- It isn't only for one group. It "can be effective for participants of many differing ages/disabilities/language skills" (O'Neill and colleagues, 2018).
- The people around the child matter. ASHA calls communication partners "integral" and notes that AAC can be partly or completely abandoned when partners aren't part of the plan.
- There is nothing to wait for. "There are no prerequisites for AAC intervention" (Brady and colleagues, 2016).
Five ways to start
- Say it and tap it. Touch the picture as you say the word, in your normal voice. You don't need to tap every word. One or two key words per sentence is plenty: "Let's go outside." "Is it hot?"
- Pick one routine. Snack time, bath time or getting dressed. The same words come up every day, so the child sees them used again and again.
- Model without asking for anything back. Modeling is showing, not testing. Don't follow it with "now you say it" or "now you tap it". If the child joins in, answer what they said.
- Use one more word than the child does. If the child taps ball, you can tap red ball or throw ball as you answer. Small steps up, not whole sentences.
- Keep it within reach, and keep going. A tablet in a drawer can't be modeled on. Learning a word takes time, so a quiet week doesn't mean it isn't working.
Common worries
"I'll get it wrong."
There is no wrong way to start. Tapping a word a moment late, or the wrong card, is fine. Say "oops" and tap the right one: that is good modeling too.
"My child doesn't look at the screen."
That's fine. Keep modeling at natural moments; you don't need to stop and get their attention first.
"Will it stop my child from talking?"
ASHA's review of the research says no. Our article Does AAC stop a child from learning to talk? goes through what it says. Modeling means you are talking all the time you tap, so the child hears the spoken word every time they see the picture.
Modeling in Talking Cards
Talking Cards is a picture-card app made by Plapl Games. It supports a child's own talking and is used alongside it, and it is not therapy. It has a modeling mode for grown-ups: a purple banner, "Modelling — taps aren't saved", shows while it is on, the cards still speak, and your taps stay out of the child's Activity page, history and suggestions. The guide Modeling: using the board yourself while you talk shows how to turn it on, step by step. Start with core words like more, go and help: they come up in every routine.
This is general information, not clinical advice. Your child's speech-language pathologist can help you choose which words to model first.
Sources
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Practice Portal), which cites the studies named above.