What To Know Before Starting An AAC App Trial

Thinking about trying an AAC app? Starting something new can feel exciting and maybe a little overwhelming. Remember that a trial is not about getting everything perfect within the trial period. It’s about learning what helps communication feel more possible. It’s about noticing what encourages AAC use. It’s about including AAC in everyday life.

A free 30-day trial app can be a helpful way to explore what communication could look like with the right tools, real-life practice, and support from people who know your communicator best.

Not sure which AAC app to trial? You may try a few AAC apps before you find the just-right fit for your communicator. PRC-Saltillo offers several Discover apps to give you valuable time to experience the full app options and observe what works well. You may also want to explore this checklist to help you consider which app meets your needs.

A trial AAC app is the beginning

Let’s start with some reassurance. A successful AAC app trial is not about mastering the app. It’s about finding tools and strategies that help communication grow. AAC takes time, encouragement, consistency, and plenty of opportunities to use language in meaningful ways.

The purpose of the trial is to help you learn whether the app offers what your communicator needs now and as communication grows.

• Does the app support your communicator’s language(s)?
• Does the app have enough words on the home screen, or in the app altogether, to be an effective communication tool?
• Are the buttons the right size for selection by touch, head tracking, or other access method?
• Do you understand (and like) the way the words/symbols are set up on the screen?
• Are there enough options to personalize your app, such as names of important people or a voice that represents your communicator?
• Does the app include technical service or resources to keep learning?

Start your trial AAC app with real-life communication goals

Before you open the AAC app, bring your AAC team (family, friends, and professionals) together to connect about what you hope to learn during the trial.

• What does your communicator want or need to say more easily?
• Where do communication breakdowns happen most often?
• What would make the day feel a little easier, more independent, or more connected?

Your goals do not have to be big or complicated. Maybe the trial focuses on asking for help, greeting a friend, choosing an activity, sharing an opinion, telling someone “no,” joining a classroom lesson, or resolving a meltdown. The most helpful AAC trial app goals are practical, personal, and tied to everyday moments that already matter.

Core words and customization for the most communication

A robust AAC app has everyday core words at the ready with minimal customization needed. Core words make up about 80% of our daily interactions. They are most important for your communicator to be successful in expressing themselves independently.

Core word examples:

• Pronouns like I, you, and we
• Verbs like want, help, go, stop, play, eat, and drink
• Prepositions such as in, on, and off
• Question words like what and why
• Adjectives like more, this, and that

Adding some personalization can make AAC feel more familiar and fun. Favorite people, places, and activities can help your communicator see themselves in the system. PRC-Saltillo AAC apps are designed to support personalization while also keeping access to a wide range of words.

Check out this brainstorming tool on the AAC Language Lab® to help you and your AAC communicator personalize their vocabulary file.

Modeling AAC matters more than quizzing

One of the best ways to support an AAC app trial is to use the app yourself as a communication partner. This is often called modeling, and it simply means selecting words on the app while you talk naturally. You might say “want more?” while selecting the buttons for “want” and “more,” or “that was funny” while selecting the word “funny.”

You can’t model too much. Make it fun and model often and everywhere.

Modeling helps your communicator see how the app can be used without turning communication into a quiz. During the trial, try swapping “Show me where ___ is” for “Let me show you how I would say it.” That small change can help AAC feel more like a natural, supported part of the conversation.

Want to learn more about modeling? Check out this free eLearning course on AAC Learning Journey.

Include AAC in your daily activities

There are so many opportunities to use AAC throughout the day! Look for opportunities to:

• Comment
• Ask questions
• Protest
• Share feelings
• Repair misunderstandings
• Participate in relationships

Give your communicator ample time to ask, comment, or respond with their AAC app. Be sure to acknowledge and respond to what they say. This teaches the power of words and may increase the value of using their AAC app. If they select “snack” or “drink,” please give them something to eat or drink. If they select “sad” or “happy,” talk about their emotions. If they accidentally select a word, respond to that as well. Repeat the word back to them or ask a question about the word.

Everyone on your AAC team needs support

An AAC app trial works best when communication partners feel supported, too. Families, educators, therapists, caregivers, and peers all help create opportunities for communication throughout the day. If something feels confusing, ask questions early. If a routine is not working, adjust it. If the app feels hard to use in one setting, connect with your SLP or PRC-Saltillo AAC Consultant to talk through what might make access easier.

No one needs to have all the answers on day one. The AAC app trial is a shared learning experience, and small changes in support can make a big difference. Your PRC-Saltillo Consultant is here to help you explore, ask questions, and make the most of the trial period.

Progress during an AAC app trial may look different than you expect

Progress during an AAC app trial might not look like full sentences or independent use right away—and that is okay. It may look like reaching toward the app, watching someone model a word, exploring buttons, using one meaningful message, reacting to a favorite phrase, or returning to the app during a familiar routine.

Those moments matter. They help your team understand what the communicator is noticing, learning, and beginning to trust. Since the app trial period is limited, simple notes can be especially helpful: What happened? Where did it happen? What support was needed? What felt encouraging? Those details can guide next steps with your AAC team.

Questions to ask during an AAC app trial

Answering these questions is part of collecting data to make an informed decision about the right AAC solution for your communicator. It can also assist with an AAC evaluation and insurance funding.

• Can the communicator access the app comfortably and consistently?
• Are the buttons the right size for selection by touch, head tracking, or other access method?
• Does the app provide enough words for different reasons to communicate?
• Can the vocabulary system grow with the communicator over time?
• Are communication partners able to model and support use throughout the day?
• What settings, routines, or activities led to the most meaningful communication?
• What questions should we ask our PRC-Saltillo AAC Consultant or support team?
• What support or customization would make the app easier to use?
• Was my communicator engaged and ready to learn with the app?

The most important thing to remember

An AAC app trial is not about proving whether someone is ready to communicate. Everyone has the right to communicate. With AAC, competency is presumed.

The trial is about exploring what kind of AAC solution and support can help communication become easier, richer, and more available. With time, teamwork, and consistent opportunities, the right AAC app can create more connection, more participation, and more possibilities.

We are here to support your journey with AAC. When you sign up for a Discover app, you’ll receive emails with relevant resources so you can keep learning and growing. For how-to videos, check out our YouTube™ channel with a playlist for each app.

Free Trial Device Program for Families

You may also choose to trial a fundable speech-generating device with an AAC app. PRC-Saltillo offers a free Trial Device Program for families. Trialing a communication device gives your family time to use it in real life—at home, school, and everywhere in between—so you can be confident it fits your child’s needs, works well for access and vocabulary, and supports insurance approval. Learn more and request your trial device.