15 Practical AAC Phrases to Start Using With Your Child Today

Why Start with Practical AAC Phrases?

Using practical, everyday AAC phrases unlocks communication success. Children need language they can use now for asking, sharing, refusing, and connecting, not just requesting items. By focusing on high-frequency, meaningful expressions, you create opportunities for your child to experience agency, form relationships, and develop independence.

• Immediate relevance: Phrases that match your child’s real-life wants, needs, and experiences.
• Builds confidence: Frequent small “wins” make AAC feel worth using.
• Supports core language growth: Core words transfer across activities, settings, and ages.

Let’s explore how to put these phrases into action, with tips for introducing and celebrating each one.

How to Model and Introduce AAC Phrases

The most effective way to teach new AAC phrases is by modeling showing your child how, when, and why to use each one. Here’s how to make modeling powerful and natural:

• Use the AAC device or board along with your speech.
• Point to or press each word as you say it aloud.
• Stay relaxed. No pressure for your child to respond immediately.
• Repeat during routines (mealtimes, play, outings) so the phrase becomes familiar.
• Involve siblings, peers, and caregivers for extra support.

15 Essential AAC Phrases for Everyday Communication

Here are 15 foundational phrases that work for a wide variety of situations. You can personalize and expand these as your child grows, but these are universally useful starting points:

Putting It Into Practice: How and When to Use Each Phrase

Below you’ll find suggestions for using each of these phrases in real-life routines, along with options for expanding or customizing to your child’s context.

1. “I want [thing/activity]”

Use during mealtimes, play, or when making choices. Encourage your child to request objects, toys, people, activities, or events.

2. “I need help”

Model during chores, challenging play, puzzles, self-care, or when working on a new skill. Prompt when your child seems frustrated or stuck.

3. “All done”

Great for ending activities, play, or meals. Allows your child to exit tasks, leave places, or signal when finished.

4. “More please”

Perfect for requesting more of anything—hugs, food, play, music, stories, or turns. Use every day to practice repetition and amplification!

5. “Stop”

Powerful for setting boundaries with peers, pets, unwanted touch, loud noises, or activities. Use often to affirm your child’s agency and control over their environment.

6. “No, thank you”

Polite but firm refusals are incredibly empowering. Model for unwanted foods, toys, games, or sensory inputs. Honor their use and follow through when safe.

7. “I don’t like this”

Lets your child express preferences, dislikes, or sensory aversions. Validates their experience and teaches self-advocacy. Use for food, sounds, textures, or situations.

8. “My turn”

Crucial for playdates, therapy, group games, and family routines. Encourages participation, turn-taking, and fairness.

9. “Your turn”

Helps foster social interaction and patience. Model during board games, group play, and classroom activities.

10. “Look”

Perfect for sharing excitement, alerting others, or joint attention. Use spontaneously—pointing to animals, vehicles, unusual sights, or favorite objects.

11. “That’s funny!”

Use during silly play, jokes, or funny videos. Supports social engagement and creates positive, joyful AAC experiences.

12. “Where is [person/thing]?”

Teaches question asking, encourages observations, and builds conversation skills. Use when searching for lost toys, people, or items in routines.

13. “I feel [emotion]”

Emotion words matter! Use to express happiness, sadness, frustration, excitement, or calm. Incorporate daily emotional check-ins at bedtime or during transitions.

14. “I don’t understand”

Models self-advocacy and triggers helpful responses from adults. Encourage use during lessons, new routines, or when directions seem unclear. Always respond with patience and clarification.

15. “I want to go”

Encourages communication about transitions, outings, or changes in activity. Use in context of play, meals, therapy sessions, or when leaving a space.

Expanding Beyond Requesting: Core Words in Real Conversations

It is important to move beyond simply requesting objects. AAC especially focuses on core words—flexible, high-frequency words that allow and empower children to comment, ask, respond, and participate in true conversational exchanges. Encourage phrases that:

• Express opinions (“I like this,” “That’s cool”)
• Ask for help or clarification (“Can you help me?” “What is that?”)
• Share feelings (“I’m happy,” “This is scary”)
• Invite interaction (“Play with me?” “Come here”)
• Refuse or negotiate (“No more,” “Not now”)

The more dynamic ways a child can use their AAC, the richer and more authentic their communication will become.

Embedding AAC in Everyday Routines

The greatest progress happens when AAC is woven naturally into daily life. Here are ways to make AAC a true language of the home:

• Morning routines: Choices about breakfast, clothes, or music.
• Mealtimes: Requesting food, commenting on taste, saying “all done.”
• Playtime: Taking turns, asking for help, labeling toys, sharing excitement.
• Outings: Asking where things are, requesting to go, commenting on sights.
• Bedtime: Emotion check-ins, choosing books, saying “goodnight.”

How AAC Builds Confidence and Social Participation

Every time your child successfully uses a phrase, whether with family or in public, they learn that their words matter. This sense of agency is the foundation for both social confidence and self-advocacy crucial for all children. but especially those with communication challenges.

• Initiating conversation (not just responding) shows growing independence.
• Refusals and comments are just as important as requests. Teach “no,” “not now,” and “go away” in safe, appropriate situations.
• Praise attempts to clarify breakdowns (“I don’t understand,” “Say again,” “No, not that”).

Spontaneous use, playfulness (jokes, silly phrases), and sharing joy are clear signs your child is moving from “trial” responses to real, meaningful communication.

Tips and Troubleshooting for Common AAC Challenges

• Lack of interest: Update vocabulary with favorite TV shows, foods, or activities. Make sure the AAC system reflects your child’s current world.
• Access difficulties: Explore settings such as larger buttons, simple grids, or alternative access (eye gaze, switches).
• Inconsistent use: Pinpoint specific times or routines for daily AAC “check-ins” and celebrate even partial successes.
• Device fatigue: Allow breaks and integrate low-tech options, such as printed boards, when needed.

Summary Box: 15 Practical AAC Phrases for Quick Reference

5 Ways to Celebrate AAC Communication Wins

• Praise immediately: Use specific, enthusiastic feedback right after your child uses a phrase.
• Share with others: Tell teachers, therapists, or extended family about your child’s new phrase. Build a community that cheers their progress.
• Track visually: Sticker charts or digital logs can boost motivation and make gains visible.
• Document with photos or stories: Share joyful moments in family albums or group chats (with consent and while adhering to privacy laws).
• Involve peers and siblings: Role-play, take turns, and use AAC in group games.

Frequently Asked Questions: AAC Phrases for SLPs and Parents

1. How do I choose which AAC phrases to start with?

Work with your SLP and start with the phrases that are most relevant to your child’s daily life and strongest motivations. If your child loves music, introduce “I want music” and “More please.” If transitions are difficult, model “I want to go” and “All done.” Watch for what your child tries to communicate nonverbally, and offer AAC phrases to match those needs.

2. What if my child only uses AAC at home or with certain people?

Practice with new partners in fun, low-pressure ways, such as games or unstructured play. Prepare teachers, caregivers, or relatives with examples and encourage them to model phrases as well. Celebrate all usage, and make new contexts exciting and rewarding.

3. Should I correct “mistakes” when my child uses AAC?

Gently model the correct word or phrase if needed, but focus on successful communication above accuracy. If your child says “eat” but means “drink,” you can respond, “Oh, you want a drink!” and show both options. The goal is confidence and connection, not perfection.

4. Is it okay to mix speech, gestures, and AAC?

Yes! All forms of communication count. Gestures, spoken words, signs, and AAC together create a flexible, robust system. Praise any attempt to communicate.

5. How can I keep expanding my child’s AAC vocabulary over time?

Regularly update your child’s device or board with new interests, school events, and life changes. Encourage your child to help select new words such as favorite shows, foods, activities, and friends. Periodically review and “audit” the vocabulary as your child grows.

Your voice and your child’s matters.

Keep these phrases close, keep modeling, and watch your child’s world grow wider, one successful AAC moment at a time.