AAC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield AAC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. An SLP is working with a family who communicates primarily in Spanish at home. The MOST appropriate approach for vocabulary selection on the AAC device is to: → Include both Spanish and English vocabulary to reflect the bilingual environment
2. A school-age AAC user is learning to use alphabet-based spelling on their device. Which instructional sequence is evidence-based for building this skill? → Start with letter-by-letter spelling of personally relevant words with phonics support
3. During an AAC access trial, a user with ALS consistently overshoots targets on a touchscreen. What adaptation should be considered FIRST? → Enlarging target size and/or applying a keyguard
4. In a multi-tiered literacy support model for AAC users, what distinguishes Tier 3 intervention from Tier 2? → Tier 3 is more intensive, individualized, and frequent than Tier 2
5. The term 'multimodal communication' in AAC refers to: → Combining multiple communication modes (speech, SGD, gestures, writing) as needed
6. When an insurance company denies coverage for an AAC device, what is the recommended next step for the AAC team? → File a formal appeal with additional medical necessity documentation
7. A second-grade student using a PODD communication book is transitioning to middle school. The transition plan should PRIMARILY address: → Updating vocabulary for new academic and social contexts
8. Which AAC system type is MOST appropriate for a beginning communicator who needs to establish intentional communication before learning symbols? → Object-based communication using real items or remnants
9. What does 'inverse scanning' refer to in AAC switch access? → The user holds the switch to activate scanning and releases it to select
10. Which principle guides SLPs to select AAC interventions that have been shown to be effective through rigorous research? → Evidence-based practice (EBP)
11. What is one advantage of visual learning materials? → They support understanding and memory
12. Which professional is MOST qualified to evaluate seating, positioning, and mounting needs for AAC users with complex physical disabilities? → An occupational therapist specializing in assistive technology
13. Which of the following best reflects a 'family coaching' model versus a 'hands-on' therapy model? → The SLP guides family members to implement strategies themselves during sessions
14. A parent-completed questionnaire rated on a 5-point Likert scale is used to track an AAC user's communication at home. This type of tool is best described as: → Caregiver-report outcome measure
15. In AAC progress monitoring, 'inter-rater reliability' refers to: → Agreement between two or more observers scoring the same behavior
16. When writing an AAC-related IEP goal, which component is most critical to include to allow for objective measurement? → Observable behavior with measurable criteria and conditions
17. An AAC-using child demonstrates strong language comprehension but very weak decoding. According to the Simple View of Reading, this profile is described as: → Dyslexia
18. Which factor has research identified as the strongest predictor of literacy success in individuals with complex communication needs? → The quality and consistency of literacy instruction received
19. During feature matching for motor access, which factor must be assessed FIRST before selecting an access method? → The user's most reliable, consistent voluntary movement
20. In the context of AAC certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing outcome measurement & progress tracking? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
21. A child with cerebral palsy shows reliable movement in one finger but inconsistent head control. Which access method should be trialed FIRST? → Single-finger direct touch with a keyguard
22. What is 'semantic compaction' as used in some AAC apps such as those using Minspeak? → Combining sequences of multi-meaning icons to represent many different words
23. When a symbol set uses icons that visually resemble the objects they represent, those symbols are described as: → Iconic (transparent)
24. An AAC team notices a user rarely initiates conversation but responds well when prompted. The MOST appropriate intervention goal would be to: → Teach initiation strategies using communicative temptations
25. Which type of AAC app feature automatically suggests the next likely word or symbol based on what the user has already selected? → Predictive selection / word prediction
26. Which of the following best describes 'semantic compaction' in AAC? → Using sequences of icons to represent an unlimited number of messages
27. In the context of AAC certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing school-based aac integration? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
28. What is an ethical consideration in AAC use? → Respecting preferences
29. Which measurement approach is used in SSED AAC research to determine if a change in communication behavior is due to the intervention? → Visual analysis of graphed data and calculation of effect sizes like Tau-U
30. Which research design is most commonly used in AAC studies due to the small population sizes involved? → Single-subject experimental designs (SSED)