On TT I remember you once mentioned having visual processing issues.
As an AAC user, do you have any tips for making AAC more compatible with visual processing problems?
Would you be comfortable talking about the set-up that works for you?
I have visual processing problems myself and I find the default way a lot of symbol based AAC is set up to be overwhelming/not very accessible to me as a result.
I hope you’re having a nice day! :)
hi! this is an issue i am still trying to accommodate but i do have some things, as it is a huge difficulty-
1. i try to limit the amount of symbols on a page, and not overcomplicate things- a bunch of similar-meaning words is overwhelming, and i can't find what i need in a crowd
2. not frequently changing things around to make them 'easier'- i find this typically does nothing of the sort. if a button isn't where i expect it to be, even if it's simply a couple spots down or to the left or right, i may be completely unable to find it when i need it. i usually add a new category for even similar things, because new buttons on an existing page get lost, and i can't have too much to look at:
think of it as, i prefer to know where things are and keep it consistent, rather than have them make sense to others. (this is good advice for aac, and existence, in general- i have a tab for my nintendos that has my devices and animal crossing games on it, but then an additional folder that has all my other games that i do also play on nintendo devices (those are the only ones i use). a question may be why to seperate those when they are all nintendo games, but it makes sense to me: with both nintendo and animal crossing falling into special interests i have had as longstanding, but the other games being more tangents of those)
if there is an added folder for new additions, in the top or corner where i know folders are kept, then i know where to find all the existing buttons, but also where to find the new buttons i am still trying to learn
(another thing- it takes me a while to learn things compared to others my age, even fellow autistics but with different speech/cognitive/support needs than i have. this may be true for you as well. just because i am 21 doesn't mean i can learn like a "typical" adult. that's just my brain: it's okay! and it's okay if you struggle with that too!)
3. i also use different kinds of symbols for pages i need a lot- my "quickfires" tab has a picture of buttercup my carey calf, even though she isn't related to the topic, because i see the image of a comfort item and it draws my attention even when processing isn't good. this makes it easier to access the place with my personal needs, to tell someone i need the bathroom, water, or to lie down as soon as i may realize
(also, incorporating special interests into aac as an autistic person is one of the best pieces of advice i have that has worked very well for me, regardless of visual processing impairments!)
ending note:
in general, be patient with yourself as you are learning this tool! i am nonverbal, so i need some form of aac to communicate no matter what. but i also use home signs, writing or doodling, typing on a keyboard or phone where i have a good motor memory of the layout and don't need to look, and for a lot of the day, i just don't use any words! typed or through text-to-speech, written, or otherwise! i need a lot of rest.
and though i had a fear of people thinking it was rude that i didn't grab my device to thank them for holding a door or say excuse me for a misstep, i will try to wave or smile or use some gesture if i do have the energy. and if i don't, if i need to keep my head down and can't express or make motions or appear available at all, that's okay. that's most of most days for me, and it takes energy if i'm not already outward in my motions with types of stim being easily reflective to many of how i feel.
(i usually rely on echopraxia from cartoons for bodily/movement communication-this may not be something people do other than me. i will admit i am generally uncoordinated, and the way i present in terms of being more star-vs-the-forces-of-evil-esque versus old-tim-burton-victorian-era-claymation-guy definitely impacts how i am responded to on that day. i also miss a lot of people's reactions in general for many reasons, some may be obvious.)
i hope you have a lovely day as well!