How to Make Holiday Gatherings More Inclusive For AAC Users

The holidays are all about connection — catching up with family, sharing meals, and celebrating together. But for children and adults who use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), the heart of the season can also bring challenges. Gatherings are often busy, full of overlapping conversations, and unfamiliar faces. Even when everyone has good intentions, it’s surprisingly easy for AAC users to be left out of conversations without anyone realizing it.

That’s why parents and caregivers often become quiet advocates during these moments — gently guiding interactions, helping relatives know how to engage, and making sure their child’s voice is heard. With a little preparation and awareness, families can help create gatherings that are truly inclusive — where communication happens naturally, and everyone feels part of the celebration.

Start with an Introduction

When relatives haven’t spent much time around your child’s AAC system, it helps to do a quick, friendly introduction early in the day — before things get busy. This doesn’t need to be formal or long; a simple explanation helps others feel at ease and sets the tone for inclusion.

You might say something like:

“This is Owen’s talker — it’s how he communicates. You can talk to him just like anyone else. He might take a moment to respond, so just give him a little extra time.”

If someone seems uncertain, you can follow up with reassurance:

“You don’t have to know how to use it — just talk directly to him, and he’ll show you what he wants to say.”

These small cues help relatives feel more confident and remove the fear of “doing it wrong.” Most people genuinely want to connect — they just need gentle direction on how to do it.

You can also share what makes your child most comfortable in conversations, like waiting a few seconds after asking a question or giving them time to find a word or symbol. And it’s important to remind others that AAC doesn’t change who your child is — it simply gives them another way to express themselves.

Encourage everyone to use their natural tone of voice and speak to your child in an age-appropriate way. Avoiding “baby talk” or over-simplified language helps your child feel respected and included.

Make the Environment Communication Friendly

The setup of a space can make a big difference in how easily a child can participate. Small changes go a long way in supporting communication.

Make sure your child’s device or board stays nearby and accessible — not tucked away in a bag or on a high shelf. Try to minimize background noise when possible, or offer a quieter space where your child can take a break if the environment becomes overwhelming.

It can also help to keep lighting soft but bright enough for visibility and to encourage face-to-face seating arrangements. These subtle adjustments make it easier for everyone to see, hear, and stay engaged.

Some families like to create communication opportunities through simple visuals — labeling dishes on a buffet table, setting out a shared holiday communication board, or printing out a few key seasonal phrases. These tools make AAC feel like a natural part of the celebration rather than a separate activity.

Encourage Participation & Reinforce Communication

Once everyone’s settled in, inclusion happens through the little moments — the laughter, questions, and back-and-forth of everyday conversation. The goal isn’t to teach your child how to communicate but to help others learn how to include them in communication.

Parents and caregivers can quietly model what this looks like for others. If a relative makes a comment, invite your child into the exchange:

“Grandpa says these cookies are delicious — what do you think? Should we ask for his recipe?”

These moments teach others how to involve your child without putting pressure on anyone.

If someone moves on too quickly or speaks over your child, you can gently step in:

“Let’s give them a second — they’re finding what they want to say.”

That small reminder reinforces patience and respect.

Encourage everyone to respond to your child’s communication — whether it’s through AAC, gestures, vocalizations, or facial expressions. Every interaction, big or small, matters. It shows your child that their words are heard and valued — and it shows relatives that inclusion isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.

When families approach communication this way, AAC becomes part of the rhythm of conversation — not something separate or special, but simply another way to connect.

Extend Inclusion Beyond the Holidays

The inclusive habits that start during the holidays can extend far beyond them. When relatives learn to wait, listen, and respond with patience, those skills carry into future gatherings, playdates, and community events. Each experience helps your child feel more confident using their AAC system in different environments — and helps others grow more comfortable interacting with it.

Your child’s speech-language pathologist or AAC specialist can also help prepare for family events by creating custom visuals, conversation cards, or communication boards for group activities. These supports make inclusion easier and more natural for everyone involved.

If your family doesn’t yet have AAC support — or you’d like help creating materials to make gatherings more inclusive — please reach out. Our team at The ProAACtive SLP specializes in designing custom tools and strategies to support communication wherever it happens — at home, in school, or during holiday celebrations.

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