AAC Travel Tips: Preparing Devices for Holiday Travel

The holiday season is full of excitement, family visits, road trips, and new adventures. But for families of AAC users, travel can bring extra challenges: long car rides, unfamiliar places, and unpredictable routines. The good news is that with some planning, communication doesn't have to get lost in the shuffle.

A little preparation before you leave can make all the difference in helping your child feel confident nd connected on the go. These AAC travel tips will help you plan ahead, pack smart, and keep communication flowing no matter where the holidays take you.

AAC Travel Tips: Plan Ahead for Smooth Communication

Think of your child’s AAC setup like their voice, you wouldn’t leave home without it. Before a trip, set aside time to check that everything is ready for travel days, hotel stays, and family visits.

Make sure the device is fully charged, and pack chargers, backup batteries, and portable power banks. If you’ll be flying or staying somewhere new, test the device’s settings in advance, brightness, volume, and access methods can change how easy it is to use in different environments.

It’s also a good idea to confirm that your AAC app works offline, since Wi-Fi and data connections can be unreliable on the road. If you use cloud backups, double-check that your child’s vocabulary and settings are saved, many AAC apps allow you to export or back up files to a second device. That small step can save a lot of stress if a tablet gets lost or damaged mid-trip.

For longer trips, consider printing a short “AAC travel checklist” to review before leaving home, chargers, cords, protective cases, and any mounting equipment. Having everything in one place keeps you organized and prevents last-minute scrambles.

AAC Travel Tips: Pack a Backup Plan

Even with the best technology, travel comes with surprises, power outages, battery drain, or dropped devices can happen at the worst times. A backup plan ensures your child always has a way to communicate.

Print a small low-tech version of their AAC system, such as a laminated core word board or a few pages of their most-used vocabulary. Keep copies in multiple places, your bag, the car, and your child’s backpack. You can even tape one inside a tablet case for quick access.

If you’re working with a speech-language pathologist or AAC specialist, ask them to help you create or print backup boards customized to your child’s system. Having familiar words available in any format can prevent frustration and keep communication consistent if technology fails.

AAC Travel Tips: Update Vocabulary for the Season & Travel

Holiday travel often means new experiences, new people, new places, and new words. Before heading out, add seasonal or travel-related vocabulary that matches what your child might see or do.

Think of words like “airport,” “hotel,” “cousin,” “grandma’s house,” “car ride,” or “rest stop.” You can also include holiday-specific phrases such as “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” or “That’s pretty!” These familiar phrases make it easier for your child to join in on conversations and share their excitement with family.

If you’re visiting somewhere with unique experiences, sledding, beach trips, or sightseeing, add those words, too. The goal isn’t to overwhelm their device with vocabulary, but to give them meaningful ways to talk about what’s happening around them.

Your AAC specialist can help brainstorm new vocabulary ideas and make sure they’re organized in a way that’s easy to find when you’re on the go.

AAC Travel Tips: Keep Devices Accessible and Protected

Devices are only useful if they’re nearby and working. During travel, it’s easy for AAC tools to end up in a suitcase or on a backseat floor. Keeping them protected and accessible is key to maintaining communication.

Use a sturdy case with screen protection to prevent damage from drops or spills. When possible, keep the device with your child in the car, airplane, or stroller, not packed away. If your child uses a mount, strap, or carrying handle, make sure it’s secure and travel-ready.

If your child is old enough, giving them ownership over their communication tools (“This is your voice, you can carry it when we go out”) helps reinforce responsibility and independence. For younger kids, assign a family member to keep the device within reach at all times.

Remember that AAC isn’t just for therapy or structured moments, it’s part of everyday conversation. Having it available shows your child that their voice always comes with them, wherever they go.

AAC Travel Tips: Keep Devices Accessible and Protected

Even with perfect planning, travel days can be unpredictable, flights delayed, long lines, or loud environments can make communication harder. These AAC travel tips will help your family stay flexible and connected no matter what the situation looks like:

If the device can’t be used temporarily (too loud, too bright, or too much motion), encourage your child to use gestures, signs, or facial expressions to supplement communication. Keep a small printed word board in your car or carry-on so there’s always a backup available.

You can also prepare short, easy-to-access phrases for travel transitions, like:

• “I need a break.”

• “All done.”

• “That’s loud.”

• “Can we go now?”

• “I’m hungry.”

These functional, real-world phrases help your child communicate needs quickly and reduce stress for everyone.

Most importantly, model communication wherever you are, not by teaching device use, but by using natural language to show your child that communication happens everywhere: in the car, at the airport, or standing in line. A calm, consistent approach helps them feel safe and confident in any environment.

AAC Travel Tips: Keep Devices Accessible and Protected

The holidays can be unpredictable, but communication doesn’t have to be. Preparing AAC tools before you travel gives your child consistency, security, and confidence, no matter how far from home you go.

If you’d like help planning your AAC setup for travel or need custom low-tech backups for the road, reach out. Our team at The ProAACtive SLP specializes in helping families prepare to stay connected and communicate with ease wherever life takes them.

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