Executive Function Scaffolding for Students with Complex Communication Needs: AAC Considerations
Danielle Deschaine, MS, CCC-SLP
January 21, 2023
My Background
Speech-language pathologist specializing in AAC since 2008
• Easter Seals Chicago Autism Therapeutic Day School (federal level 5)
• Saint Paul Public Schools
o Bridge View School (federal level 4)
o district AT team
• All Voices Augmentative Communication (private practice)
o in-home AAC services in the Twin Cities metro area
o all ages
Land Acknowledgement
I am based out of Saint Paul, Minnesota. I live and work near Bdote Mni Sota (the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers). Bdote Mni Sota, according to the Dakota creation story, is were the Dakota people (the Seven Fires of the Dakota) first came to the earth. 
Learn more about the Dakota:
Dakota Wicohan website (https://dakotawicohan.org/)
Bdote Memory Map website (http://bdotememorymap.org/)
Books by Native authors and illustrators: 
AICL best books list (https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/p/best-books.html)
Outline
* Foundation
* Scaffolds
o Physical Components
o Cognitive Components
o Aided Language
* Final Notes
* Discussion
Foundation: Receptive vs. Expressive Communication
Receptive Communication
Speech and language information a person takes in and interprets
Expressive Communication
Speech and language messages a person expresses
Foundation: Receptive vs. Expressive Communication, continued
Receptive Communication
Speech and language information a person takes in and interprets
Expressive Communication
Speech and language messages a person expresses
Foundation
The Ultimate Goal for Everyone
To be able to communicate spontaneously, independently, clearly, and in a timely manner in a range of contexts with all types of communication partners
Foundation, continued
The Ultimate Goal for Everyone
To be able to communicate spontaneously, independently, clearly, and in a timely manner in a range of contexts with all types of communication partners
…communication is hard!
Foundation, continued 2

…on top of that, communicating with AAC is hard!
We need to work to decrease the executive function load of using AAC in order to make communication as “easy” as possible for AAC users (and anyone with complex communication needs).
Scaffold: Minimize Physical and Motoric Demands
Executive functions you are scaffolding:
• planning
• working memory
• focus/attention
• task initiation
Scaffold: Minimize Physical and Motoric Demands, continued
Adapted Touch Settings
• select on release
• dwell
• first finger up, last finger down
• adapted glove
• keyguard
• special stylus: Nad Pen by Click Speak Connect (https://www.clickspeakconnect.com/nadpen/)
Scaffold: Minimize Physical and Motoric Demands, continued 2
Alternative Access
• eye gaze
• head mouse, Smyle Mouse (https://smylemouse.com/)
• scanning
o partner-assisted scanning: YouTube video by Cheri C 
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7CiYP56oYw)
? present options as statements, not questions
o switch scanning (1 vs. 2 switches?)
Scaffold: Minimize Physical and Motoric Demands, continued 3
Multiple Modes
• non-electronic communication modes
o communication book
? PODD, photo album, book based on device, etc.
o core board
o writing board
? Boogie Board, dry erase board, pencil and paper
Encourage autonomy, spontaneity, and self advocacy
Scaffold: Minimize Physical and Motoric Demands, continued 4 
Positioning
• seating can made a significant difference in level of alertness and engagement
o try it yourself: passive posture vs. active/alert posture
• Karen Kangas: Seating and Mobility as it relates to AAC and AT (YouTube) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UhobszRb0g)
30 second stretch break

Scaffold: Minimize Cognitive Demands
Executive functions you are scaffolding:
• planning
• mental flexibility
• working memory
• organization
• task initiation
Scaffold: Minimize Cognitive Demands, continued
Visual organization
• symbol-based systems
• color-coded buttons
Scaffold: Minimize Cognitive Demands, continued 2
Vocabulary
• organized in a way that makes most sense to the user
• increase the number of messages/buttons per page as much as you can
• access to as much vocabulary as possible
Scaffold: Minimize Cognitive Demands, continued 3
Errorless communication opportunities
• everyone needs experience communicating without worrying about saying the “right” thing
o opinions, comments
o art projects
o free time to “babble”
Encourage autonomy, spontaneity, and self advocacy
Scaffold: Provide Aided Language Support
Aided language flyer (google drive)
Final Notes:
Encourage autonomy, spontaneity, and self advocacy!
Final Notes: Keep up the awesome work!
You’re already taking steps to expand your AAC knowledge, keep it up! Feel free to contact me if you need any help in the process!
Thank you!
Danielle Deschaine, MS, CCC-SLP
All Voices Augmentative Communication
danielle@allvoicesaac.com
(651) 432-0890 (call, text, and TTY)

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