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My Child Isn't Using Their AAC Yet. Should I Be Worried?

VOIS Team · 28 August 2026

You spent time setting up your child's AAC system. You added familiar photos, useful words and favourite things.

Then you waited for them to use it.

But they didn't.

If that's where you are, it doesn't necessarily mean AAC isn't working. Some children need time to understand what the system is for before they begin using it independently.

AAC needs to be shown, not just given

Children learn spoken language by hearing other people use it every day. AAC works in a similar way.

If the communication board only appears when someone asks, "What do you want?" or "Show me," it can start to feel more like a task than a conversation.

Instead, try using AAC alongside your child.

If you're going outside, point to go as you say, "Let's go."

If they need help opening something, point to help while you say the word.

You don't need to ask them to copy you. You're simply showing them another way to communicate.

Your child is probably communicating already

Even if your child isn't pressing buttons or pointing to pictures yet, they may still be communicating in other ways.

They might:

• look towards something they want;
• pull you by the hand;
• push something away;
• make a sound;
• smile, cry or gesture.

Those moments are useful opportunities.

If your child pushes food away, you might say, "No, you're finished," while pointing to no or finished on their AAC system.

You're connecting the communication they already use with words they may learn to use over time.

Make the words useful

An AAC system shouldn't only contain the names of things.

Words such as:

• more
• help
• stop
• go
• again
• finished

can be used throughout the day in lots of different situations.

Add these alongside the people, foods, toys and places that matter to your child.

The more useful the vocabulary is, the more opportunities your child has to communicate.

Progress may be small at first

Some children begin using AAC quite quickly. Others need much more time and modelling.

Early progress isn't always obvious.

Your child may start watching you point to a word.

They may look towards the board when they want something.

They may use one word during one favourite activity before using it anywhere else.

Those small changes still matter.

When to ask for help

If your child consistently avoids the AAC system, becomes upset when it is introduced, or you're unsure whether the vocabulary or layout is right, speak to a speech-language therapist.

Sometimes small adjustments can make a big difference.

That might mean larger buttons, fewer choices, different vocabulary or another AAC approach altogether.

AAC should fit your child, not the other way around.

How VOIS fits in

VOIS is designed to help families develop communication around everyday life using familiar photographs, familiar voices and the language spoken at home.

But whatever AAC system you choose, the principle is the same: don't wait for your child to use AAC independently. Use it with them. Respond to the communication they already use. Model useful words during everyday moments. Give them time to understand how the system works.

Little by little, those shared moments can become conversations.

This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individual advice or assessment from a qualified speech-language therapist or healthcare professional.