Helping Parents Set Their Child Up for AAC Success at Lunchtime in School

Lunchtime can be one of the most exciting—and sometimes overwhelming—parts of the school day for students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It’s social, it’s busy, and it often involves lots of conversation that happens quickly. With the right support, though, parents can help their child feel confident and successful during this daily routine.

Why Lunchtime Matters for our AAC Users

Lunch isn’t just about eating; it’s about connecting with peers, building independence, and practicing purposeful  communication skills. Supporting AAC use in this environment helps students:

• Practice social exchanges (greetings, jokes, asking questions).

• Make choices about food and preferences.

• Build confidence in group settings.

• Strengthen friendships through shared experiences.
  

Tips for Parents to Set Their Child Up for Success

1. Prepare at Home

• Model lunch vocabulary: Practice using words and phrases like “pizza,” “juice,” “I like that,” or “Can I sit here?” on their talker at home.

• Role-play scenarios: Pretend to be a classmate or cafeteria staff so your child can rehearse asking and answering questions. Be silly about it. Make them laugh and have fun with it.

• Personalize phrases: Add custom buttons such as “That looks yummy!” or “Want to trade snacks?” - - - and don’t forget to show them!
  

2. Partner with the School Team

• Share a lunch communication plan: Let teachers, aides, and lunch staff know what phrases or vocabulary your child is practicing.

• Ensure device access: Advocate for your child’s AAC system to be available and charged during lunch every day.

• Ask about peer support: Encourage the school to foster a buddy system where classmates are invited to engage with your child’s AAC. Their peers really love to help! We promise!
  

3. Focus on Social Connections

• Encourage greetings: Phrases like “Hi,” “What’s up?” or “Want to sit here?” go a long way in building friendships.

• Model conversation starters: Give your child ready-to-use questions such as “What are you eating?” or “What’s your favorite food?”

• Celebrate small wins: Even one peer interaction can be a huge confidence boost. Celebrate the peers helping too! It’ll encourage them to continue!
  

4. Keep It Realistic

• Remind your child (and yourself) that they don’t need to say everything perfectly.

• Focus on one or two goals at a time, like greeting a peer or making a choice about food. (If you don’t think you could learned all the new phrases over night, don’t expect them to either ;). )

• Build from there as your child grows more comfortable.
  

Final Thoughts

Parents play a powerful role in setting the stage for lunchtime success. We know you’re not there, mom and dad, but your role is still important! By modeling their AAC system  at home, collaborating with school staff, and focusing on small but meaningful communication opportunities, you can help your child feel confident and included during one of the most social parts of their school day!

Want a list of tips and tricks to share with your teachers? Email us!