Can Communication Boards Help With Behavior?

can communication boards help behavior?

The tantrum didn’t come out of nowhere.

It started with a whimper. Then stomping feet. By the time the caregiver realized something was wrong, the child had thrown herself to the ground, the caregiver’s voice had risen several decibels, and what began as a perfectly good afternoon at the playground ended with everyone — child and adult alike — in tears.

Sound familiar?

Here’s what most people get wrong about that moment: the behavior was not the problem. The behavior was the message.

This is one of the most common questions we hear from parents, teachers, school administrators, and park and recreation directors: can communication boards help with behavior? After a combined 60+ years working as ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologists, our answer is an unequivocal yes — and in this post, we’ll show you exactly why, using a real before-and-after scenario, the clinical reasoning behind it, and what you can do about it starting today.

All Behavior Is Communication

As Speech-Language Pathologists, we hold one belief above all others: communication is a human right. And when that right is compromised — when a person cannot clearly express what they need, want, or feel — behavior fills the gap.

This is the most common misconception we encounter among parents, school administrators, and park and recreation directors: that a child’s difficult behavior is the result of bad parenting, poor discipline, or a behavioral problem that needs to be managed. In our clinical experience, the vast majority of challenging behaviors trace back to a single root cause — an unmet communication need.

The child who screams at the pool isn’t being difficult. She may be overwhelmed and have no way to say I need a break.

The child who kicks and throws objects in the classroom isn’t defiant. He may not be able to say I don’t understand what you’re asking me to do.

The child who has a full meltdown at the park? He may simply have been trying to say I want a snack — and had no tools to do it.

This isn’t just our clinical opinion — it’s backed by a growing body of research. According to ASHA’s own guidance on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in early intervention, AAC plays a crucial role in supporting early language development, and there are no prerequisites for considering or introducing it — including with very young children. In other words: you don’t have to wait for a behavior to become a crisis before giving a child a tool to communicate. The tool comes first. The behavior change follows.

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What Happened When We Introduced a Communication Board

Let us walk you through a real scenario we see play out, before and after the introduction of a playground communication board.

Before:

A child on the playground begins to whimper and stomp her feet. The caregiver tries to figure out what’s wrong, but the child cannot explain. The behavior escalates — she throws her body to the ground in a full tantrum. The caregiver’s voice rises. Eventually, the child is scooped up and removed from the playground. Everyone leaves upset. The child’s need was never identified. The underlying cause was never addressed.

Notice what’s happening here from a clinical standpoint: this isn’t a “behavior problem” in the traditional sense. It’s a communication breakdown. The child has a need — and very likely knows what that need is — but has no reliable way to express it to the adult standing right next to her. The caregiver, doing the best she can, starts guessing. Guessing takes time. Time without resolution increases dysregulation. Dysregulation becomes a tantrum. By the time the meltdown is in full swing, the original need (a snack, a turn on the slide, relief from the heat) has been buried under a wave of frustration that has nothing to do with parenting skill and everything to do with access.

After:

The same early warning signs appear — the whimpering, the stomping feet. This time, the caregiver leads the child to a communication board nearby. The caregiver gently models the interaction, touching icons to form the message: “I want slide” or “I am hot” — and asks the child what she needs. The child scans the board. She points to the icon for snack. The caregiver models the full message: “I want snack.” The child imitates, touching the icons herself. The caregiver brings her to a bench, gives her a snack. The child eats, and returns to play without incident.

Same child. Same environment. Completely different outcome — because she had a way to communicate.

What changed wasn’t the child’s temperament, her parenting, or her “compliance.” What changed was access. The board gave her a visual, low-pressure way to scan options and land on the right one, instead of relying on speech she may not have had readily available in a moment of rising frustration. The caregiver’s modeling — physically touching the icons herself before prompting the child — is a core AAC strategy called aided language modeling, and it’s one of the simplest, most effective things any adult can do to teach a child how the board works.

This is the difference between managing a behavior after it happens and preventing it by meeting the need underneath it.

Who Benefits From Communication Boards?

This is where we want to challenge another common assumption: communication boards are not only for nonverbal children.

Communication supports benefit a wide range of individuals, including:

  • Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder
  • Individuals with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome
  • People who are recovering from a stroke or traumatic brain injury
  • Anyone who processes information more slowly under stress or in loud, stimulating environments
  • Individuals who speak a language different from their caregiver or service provider

In short: any person, in any environment, who may struggle to communicate their needs in the moment can benefit from a well-designed communication board. This is why we design boards for so many different settings — from pool and aquatic centers to therapy clinics and special education classrooms, from therapeutic riding stables to schools and recreation centers. Each environment carries its own communication demands, and the vocabulary on the board should reflect that.

We also want to highlight a specific tool that’s especially relevant to the behavior conversation: emotional balance boards. While a core vocabulary board helps a child express a want or need (“I want snack,” “I want slide”), an emotional balance board helps them identify and name a feeling — frustrated, overwhelmed, excited, tired. For many children, the inability to name an emotion is just as much a driver of challenging behavior as the inability to request an item. Giving a child the words for “I feel frustrated” before that frustration turns into a thrown object is one of the most proactive interventions we offer. We go deeper into this in our ultimate guide to emotional balance communication boards, including how speech production itself is affected during a meltdown.

 

Therapeutic riding communication board installed in a therapeutic equine facility.

Why Environment Matters

Behavior does not happen in a vacuum. It happens on the playground. In the gym. At the pool. In the classroom. In the community.

That is exactly where communication tools need to be — not locked in a therapy room, but present and accessible in the spaces where real life happens. A communication board at the splash pad is a safety tool. A board in the park pavilion is a de-escalation tool. A board in the classroom is an academic and social tool.

When administrators and park directors make the decision to install communication boards in their spaces, they are not just accommodating individuals with disabilities. They are creating environments that are safer, more inclusive, and more functional for everyone who passes through.

Behavior and Safety Are Directly Linked

The behaviors that communication boards reduce are not minor inconveniences. They include tantrums, screaming, kicking, and throwing — and in more extreme cases, hitting, punching, flipping furniture, and physical aggression that puts both the individual and those around them at risk of injury. In each of these cases, the behavior is communicating something the person could not otherwise express. Give them a voice — and the behavior changes.

This is also why we think of communication access as a safety issue, not just a developmental one. Picture a child at a public pool who is overheated, overwhelmed by noise, or in mild distress and cannot say so. Picture a participant at a therapeutic riding center who cannot tell their instructor that they feel unsteady or unsafe on the horse. Picture a student in a gym class who cannot communicate that an activity is causing them pain. In every one of these situations, clear communication isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s the difference between a quick, calm resolution and an emergency.

This is precisely why we design boards for such a wide range of public and semi-public spaces: parks, playgrounds, pools, splash pads, gyms, recreation centers, schools, and therapeutic riding stables. Each of these environments brings people together — staff, caregivers, peers, and the individuals themselves — and every one of those interactions depends on the ability to communicate clearly, quickly, and without barriers.

modeling pool communication boards
emotional regulation / balance communication boards

A Communication Board Is Not a Last Resort

We want to be clear: a communication board is not something you pull out after everything else has failed. It is a proactive, evidence-based tool that, when introduced early and used consistently, prevents the escalation that leads to those difficult moments in the first place.

The most effective communication boards share a few key qualities. They use core vocabulary — high-frequency, flexible words like want, more, stop, help, go — that can be combined to express a huge range of needs across settings. They’re paired with adult modeling, meaning the adults around the child use the board too, rather than only prompting the child to use it — a strategy we break down further in our guide to AAC training. And they’re placed where the need actually arises, not tucked away in an office or a binder.

If you’ve heard conflicting things about communication boards — that they’ll delay speech, that a child has to “earn” one, that only nonverbal children qualify — our post on 5 myths about alternative communication (AAC) addresses these misconceptions directly with the evidence behind why they’re false.

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, our ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists design fully customized communication boards built around the specific needs of the individual, the environment, and the population being served. We use diverse symbol systems, incorporate QR-coded caregiver support resources, and provide free customization for donor-funded placements — because we believe access to communication tools should never be a barrier. If you’re a school district or parks department wondering how to fund a project like this, we’ve put together a guide to grant and local funding resources to help you get started, and we accept official purchase orders for institutional buyers.

If you still have questions about how communication boards work, who they’re designed for, or what makes ours different, our FAQ page covers the questions we hear most often from parents, educators, and administrators.

What You Can Do Today

If you are a parent, a teacher, a school administrator, or a park or recreation director reading this — here is the most important thing we want you to walk away with:

The next time you see a behavior, ask yourself: what is this person trying to tell me?

And then ask whether they have the tools to tell you more clearly.

If you’re ready to explore custom communication boards for your home, school, or public space, we’d love to help.

👉 Request a free quote at www.lakeshorespeech.com

Resources at Lakeshore Speech is a team of ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologists with 60+ years of combined clinical experience. We believe communication is a human right and we build the tools to make that right accessible to everyone.

Are Communication Boards Easy to Customize?

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The Dangerous Misconception of the DIY Communication Board

If you are a parks department director, a school administrator, a camp coordinator, or a community leader looking to make your local spaces more inclusive, the word easy is likely at the very top of your project checklist. You want a solution that is easy to understand, easy to order, easy to install, and easy for the public to navigate. When you begin searching for inclusive communication tools, you will find countless vendors and articles online promising that creating a custom communication board is as simple as clicking a few buttons, picking a handful of pictures, and printing them onto a piece of plastic.

This has led to a widespread, well-intentioned, but highly damaging misconception in the community space. The prevailing myth is that anyone with a computer and a design program can put together an effective communication board by simply arranging a grid of random icons and images anywhere on a board. People look at a finished augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) board and see a collection of colorful illustrations, assuming that the arrangement is merely aesthetic or arbitrary. They believe that customizing a board simply means picking words that match the local scenery and scattering them across a grid.

The reality of communication board development is vastly different. True ease refers to the ability of the purchaser to understand, navigate, and utilize the clinical information embedded within the tool to create a successful, functional custom setup. The development of a communication board is not a graphic design project, it is a clinical process backed by decades of language science.

A certified speech-language pathologist is the individual with the true credentials and expertise required to complete this type of task. Without a clinical foundation, a customized board risks becoming a decorative piece of plastic that looks inclusive on the surface but fails to provide a functional voice to the individuals who rely on it. When we treat communication board customization as a simple matching game, we inadvertently silences the very people we are trying to empower.

communication boards
communiation boards

Understanding the Clinical Science of Augmentative Communication

To understand why customization requires a speech-language pathologist, you have to look closely at how non-verbal individuals, or individuals with limited speech, actually process visual language. When a certified speech-language pathologist designs or alters a communication board, they are balancing complex cognitive, neurological, and linguistic factors. There are three specific, science-backed pillars that must guide every single customization decision, ensuring that the final product remains highly functional no matter what local elements are added.

The Power of Core Vocabulary Over Fringe Vocabulary

The first and most critical pillar of an effective communication board is a heavy reliance on core vocabulary. Core vocabulary consists of the high-frequency words that make up approximately eighty percent of the words we use in daily communication across all settings. These are words like go, stop, more, detailed, help, like, you, me, up, and down.

The first and most critical pillar of an effective communication board is a heavy reliance on core vocabulary. Core vocabulary consists of the high-frequency words that make up approximately eighty percent of the words we use in daily communication across all settings. These are words like go, stop, more, detailed, help, like, you, me, up, and down. Understanding how to choose vocabulary for augmentative communication tools requires looking past standard word lists and focusing on true functional language.

The incredible power of core vocabulary lies in its flexibility and its vital importance to overall language development. Core words allow a user to create flexible, spontaneous messages without needing highly specific or literal visual references. For example, if a child wants to use a slide at a playground, a board focused on core vocabulary allows them to point to the icons for go and there. This simple combination communicates the exact same intent as pointing to a specific picture of a slide.

The magic of this approach is that go there can also be used to ask to visit the swings, the picnic pavilion, the parking lot, or a friend across the field. If your customization process involves removing core vocabulary to make room for dozens of specific nouns, also known as fringe vocabulary, you are severely limiting the user. If a board only features specific nouns like slide, swing, and sandbox, the child can only talk about those exact objects. They cannot use those words to express an action, a feeling, or a complex thought. Our approach always focuses on preserving a robust core vocabulary layout first, ensuring that the non-verbal individual has a functional framework for actual language generation rather than just a menu of local objects.

Motor Planning and Spatial Consistency Across Boards

The second pillar that cannot be compromised during customization is motor planning. When neurotypical, verbal individuals speak, they do not consciously think about how to move their tongue, lips, and vocal cords for every single syllable. Muscle memory takes over, allowing speech to flow seamlessly. For an individual using an AAC device or a physical communication board, the exact same principle applies to motor planning and muscle memory. They learn the location of a word based on where it lives spatially on the grid.

Motor planning depends entirely on the absolute consistency of the placement of the icons moving from location to location, and from board to board. If you are installing multiple communication boards across a large park system, a school campus, or a town center, you must maintain a fixed spatial architecture. If a user learns that the icon for the restroom is located in the upper right-hand corner of the board at the main playground, they must be able to walk down to the baseball fields or into the community center and find the restroom icon in that exact same upper right-hand corner.

When well-meaning individuals attempt to customize boards without clinical oversight, they often scramble the grid to make room for new images. They might move the restroom icon to the bottom left on one board because they wanted to put a picture of a tree in the top right. This completely disrupts the user’s motor planning. It forces a non-verbal individual to completely re-scan, re-learn, and search the board every time they move to a new area. This significantly increases their cognitive load and can lead to immense frustration, causing them to abandon using the board entirely.

Protecting Symbol System Consistency

The third pillar is maintaining strict consistency within the symbol system itself. Non-verbal individuals who use high-tech speech-generating devices or low-tech communication books at school spend years learning a specific visual language dialect. Different software programs and clinical frameworks use distinct symbol sets, such as SymbolStix or PCS, which represent concepts in specific visual styles.

When customizing a public communication board, it is vital that the symbol system used on the sign matches or closely mirrors the actual icons that the users see daily at school and on their personal AAC devices. If a child uses a specific symbol for want or help in their classroom, seeing a completely different, randomized clip-art icon on a park board can cause massive confusion. True customization means understanding the local demographic, working with the local school districts to see what symbol systems are prevalent, and ensuring the public boards align with those existing tools.

communication boards for children
pool communication boards

The Real World of Collaborative Customization

When working with clients who purchase our communication boards for public spaces, we always begin from a scientifically verified, standard layout that honors core vocabulary, motor planning, and symbol consistency. We do not start with a blank canvas, because a blank canvas encourages the random placement of icons. Instead, we use our clinical framework as the foundation, and then we sit down with the purchaser to discuss what specific items they may need to add, where those items should go, and, most importantly, the clinical reasons why those additions are being made.

This collaborative approach transforms the customization process into an educational experience for the purchaser. The biggest logistical and design challenge we face in this line of work is not necessarily knowing what the specific playground, facility, or location looks like, or where the board will ultimately be installed. We are creating physical, durable signs that must live in a real environment, and the layout of that environment dictates how people interact with the sign.

To overcome this lack of physical context, we work closely with city planners, park directors, and school administrators to gather blueprints, site maps, and photographs of the exact location where the board will stand. Once we understand the spatial realities of the environment, we develop a custom draft. We then enter an iterative phase with the client, continuing to work closely with them to tweak the customized elements until they are completely satisfied. This process ensures that the client fully understands why the boards are designed the way they are, giving them ownership over the clinical rationale behind their new community tool.

The North Olmsted Case Study and the Camp Board Breakthrough

A perfect example of this deep, environmental customization occurred recently during a project with the city of North Olmsted. The city was actively retrofitting and fitting their beautiful new playground equipment with accessible communication boards to ensure that their spaces were welcoming to all children.

During the design process, we worked closely with the director of the parks department. As we analyzed the blueprints and discussed how the space would be utilized throughout the year, the director mentioned a specific demographic and operational need that a standard playground sign could not completely address. She highlighted their extensive summer camp programs.

During the summer, dozens of campers, including individuals with diverse communication needs, gather in the parks. The camp counselors needed a tool that allowed students to better express themselves during camp activities, but they also desperately needed a way for the counselors themselves to give directions more clearly and model language in real-time as they moved around the property.

At that exact moment, we had an incredible breakthrough. We realized that a static, post-mounted sign next to a swing set was not enough for a dynamic, mobile summer camp environment. To solve this problem, we designed a completely custom, portable camp board built into a heavy-duty sandwich sign structure.

We utilized both sides of the sandwich sign to create a multi-functional communication hub:

  • One side of the sandwich board was carefully customized and intended for the campers to express their personal feelings, immediate physical needs, choices, and social interactions with peers.
  • The opposite side of the sandwich board was custom-designed specifically for the camp counselors and staff to use to give directions, clarify schedules, model expectations, and visually reinforce instructions out in the field.

Because this sign was a portable sandwich board, counselors could easily carry it from the main pavilion over to the grassy fields, or down to the shade trees depending on where the camp activities were taking place.

In tandem with this mobile camp board, we fully customized their permanent, post-mounted playground signs to include specific local amenities, including their brand-new splash pad, the nearby ballpark, and the soccer fields. We seamlessly integrated these local fringe vocabulary terms into the existing clinical layout without disrupting the core vocabulary framework or ruining the motor planning architecture. This project successfully provided clear, accessible communication for everyone in the park, matching the physical layout of North Olmsted with the clinical needs of its residents.

emotional balance board
playground communication boards

The Ultimate Litmus Test for Your Communication Board

If you are a reader who is currently preparing to purchase, design, or customize a communication board for your local school, public park, non-profit organization, or community space, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the graphics, the colors, and the logistics of sign procurement. Before you approve a final proof, send a design to a printer, or sign off on a customization project, you need a way to ensure that your tool is genuinely effective. You need to verify that your board is a legitimate, powerful gateway to language, and not just a collection of random, well-meaning icons.

To do this, you must apply the ultimate clinical litmus test. Step away from your role as an administrator, a designer, or a purchaser. Put yourself completely and entirely into the shoes of an individual who cannot communicate verbally. Look at the draft of your custom board through their eyes, imagine standing in front of it in the middle of your park or facility, and ask yourself the following deeply important questions:

  • If I am feeling overwhelmed, tired, or hurt, can I easily look at this board and communicate exactly how I feel to an adult, or am I limited to just pointing at equipment?
  • If I need a basic, critical human necessity, can I instantly look at this board and request to go to the restroom, or find a drink of water, without having to hunt through a randomized jumble of icons?
  • If I want to interact with the children around me, does this board give me a specific way to comment on what I see, share a joke, or ask to join a game, allowing me to truly be an active part of the community or space I am standing in?

When you evaluate your custom communication board using these questions, you will quickly see whether your design provides true autonomy. If an individual looks at your board and can only answer simple yes or no questions, or if they can only point to a picture of a swing to indicate they want to swing, your board is not truly customized for communication. It is severely limited.

A non-verbal person has complex thoughts, deep emotions, specific needs, and a desire for social connection just like anyone else. They are not thinking in one-word noun labels. They want to tell you that a game is fun, that they want to go faster, that they are finished, or that they want to go somewhere else.

A truly effective custom communication board does not simply display a handful of local icons. It respects the science of language development, protects the spatial consistency that muscle memory requires, and provides a rich framework of core vocabulary. By partnering with certified speech-language pathologists and committing to a clinical customization process, you can ensure that your community investment does something truly life-changing. It will give a profound, enduring voice to those who need it most, creating an environment where everyone can truly communicate how they feel, what they want, and where they would like to go.

Bring true inclusivity to your community. Avoid the pitfalls of a DIY setup and invest in signs designed by clinical experts. Explore our scientifically backed, durable communication boards for public spaces and start your collaborative customization project today.

Benefits of AAC in Public Spaces

playground communication boards

Low-Tech vs. High-Tech AAC: Why Physical Communication Boards Are Essential for Truly Inclusive Public Spaces

 Quick Facts & Key Takeaways

  • What is AAC? Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) includes any method used to express thoughts, needs, and ideas without reliance on spoken words.
  • The Power of Low-Tech: While digital apps are powerful, the benefits of AAC  in public spaces include being weatherproof, immune to dead batteries, and instantly accessible to everyone.
  • Community-Wide Impact: Installing communication boards benefits not just non-speaking individuals, but also toddlers, individuals with temporary speech loss, and non-native English speakers.
  • The Bottom Line: True community inclusion requires physical, permanent low-tech AAC options alongside high-tech personal devices.
playground communication boards
playground communication boards

Quick Links

Every individual deserves the right to share their voice, express their needs, and connect with the world around them. Yet, for millions of individuals with communication challenges, a trip to the local park, library, or community center can feel deeply isolating.

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, our clinical team works daily with families, educators, and community advocates to dismantle these barriers. One of the most transformative shifts we are witnessing today is the widespread installation of physical communication tools in parks and playgrounds.

When we explore the benefits of AAC in public spaces, it becomes clear that while digital communication apps are incredible tools for personal use, they cannot replace the permanent, equitable access provided by physical, low-tech communication boards. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into why  your community needs physical AAC boards to foster genuine inclusion and belonging.

Understanding AAC: The Foundation of Inclusion

To fully appreciate why public spaces require low-tech solutions, we must first establish what AAC is and how it functions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is an umbrella term that encompasses all forms of communication other than oral speech.

The AAC Spectrum: High-Tech vs. Low-Tech

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) generally categorize AAC systems into three distinct tiers:

  1. No-Tech: Relying entirely on the body, such as sign language, gestures, facial expressions, and body language.
  2. Low-Tech / Light-Tech: Physical tools that do not require electricity or batteries. This includes printed picture books, laminated communication flipcharts, and large, weather-resistant AAC boards mounted on playground posts.
  3. High-Tech: Electronic devices that require power, such as dedicated speech-generating computers or specialized communication apps (e.g., Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, or TD Snap) running on iPads and tablets.

While high-tech systems offer customized vocabulary and robust voice output, they are inherently tied to an individual owner. Physical AAC boards installed in public areas, on the other hand, democratize communication. They ensure that anyone who steps into a public space has an instant, uncompromised means of expression.

Why Public Spaces Need Low-Tech: Physical Boards vs. Digital Apps

It is tempting for city planners or school boards to assume that because “there is an app for that,” public spaces do not need physical infrastructure. However, relying solely on personal digital apps creates massive equity gaps.

Let’s look at a head-to-head comparative analysis of the benefits of AAC in public spaces match up against digital applications in shared, public environments.

Benefits of AAC in Public Spaces - Comparative Analysis
Comparison of the benefits of AAC in public spaces vs High-tech AAC

Environmental Vulnerabilities of Digital Tools

Imagine a hot July afternoon at a local inclusive playground. A child using a personal iPad app wants to ask a peer to swing with them. Suddenly, the iPad flashes a warning symbol: “Device temperature too high. iPad needs to cool down before you can use it.” In an instant, that child’s voice is stripped away.

Furthermore, water features, splash pads, sandboxes, and mud kitchens are staples of enriching childhood play. They are also absolute death sentences for expensive electronic tablets. Physical AAC boards, constructed from heavy-duty, marine-grade plastics or aluminum, stand resilient against torrential rain, baking sun, and muddy hands. Consequently, they provide an uninterrupted guarantee of expression that digital apps simply cannot match.

Deep Dive: The Tangible Benefits of AAC in Public Spaces

When a community invests in low-tech communication infrastructure, the societal return on investment is monumental. Let’s explore the core benefits of AAC in public spaces and how they reshape community dynamics.

Eliminating Communication Barriers in Real Time

When a non-speaking individual visits a park without a physical board, they must rely on their own device (if they own one) or interpretative assistance from a caregiver. If the caregiver steps away for a moment, or if the device is left in the car to prevent theft, the individual is left without a functional voice.

By installing permanent AAC boards, municipal leaders create an environment where a child can run straight from the slide to the board, point to the symbol for “more,” and immediately run back to play. It bridges the gap between thought and action without requiring a third-party mediator.

Promoting Peer-to-Peer Social Inclusion

One of the most beautiful outcomes of installing low-tech boards is how they foster natural, neurodiverse friendships. Children are inherently curious. When they see a colorful board filled with icons at eye level, they gravitate toward it.

Neurotypical children quickly learn how to use the board to communicate with their non-speaking peers. For instance, a child might walk up to the board, point to the icon for “ball,” and look at a peer with autism, inviting them into a game. This direct interaction reduces social stigma, builds empathy, and creates a culture of deep-seated inclusion from an early age.

Normalizing Alternative Communication for the Public

Stigma thrives in the absence of exposure. When AAC boards are absent from public squares, the general public remains unaware of how non-verbal individuals interact.

Conversely, when these boards are prominently displayed alongside traditional park signage, alternative communication is normalized. Passersby, city workers, and other parents see AAC as a valid, everyday form of language. This raises community awareness and reshapes public spaces into environments that celebrate diversity rather than merely tolerating it.

People Also Ask: Common Questions About Public AAC Systems

As specialists in speech and language development, we frequently consult with city councils and parks departments. Here are the most common questions we encounter regarding the benefits of AAC in public spaces and the  deployment of low-tech communication tools.

How do children know how to use an AAC board without training?

This is where the magic of aided language stimulation (or modeling) comes into play. Children learn language by hearing it spoken around them for thousands of hours before they utter their first word. Similarly, individuals learn AAC by seeing others point to symbols while speaking.

When an AAC board is placed in a public space, parents, educators, and peers naturally begin modeling – another examples of the benefits of AAC in public spaces. A mother might say, “Let’s go fast on the slide,” while pointing to the icons for “fast” and “slide” on the board. Non-speaking children observe this and rapidly learn that pressing or pointing to those pictures yields real-world results.

Are public AAC boards only meant for individuals with severe autism?

Absolutely not. This is a common misconception that limits the perceived value of these installations. While individuals with autism are frequent users of AAC, these boards serve a massive, diverse demographic, including:

  • Children with Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or childhood apraxia of speech.
  • Toddlers who are late talkers and experience profound frustration when trying to express their needs at the park.
  • Individuals with temporary speech loss due to medical conditions, dental procedures, or vocal strain.
  • Selective mutism, where individuals experience severe anxiety that physically prevents speech in public situations.
  • Non-native English speakers: By utilizing universal picture communication symbols (like PCS or SymbolStix), an AAC board can bridge language barriers, allowing a child who only speaks Spanish or Ukrainian to seamlessly play with an English-speaking peer.

What vocabulary should be included on a public space AAC board?

An effective public communication board must balance core vocabulary and fringe vocabulary.

  • Core Vocabulary: These are high-frequency words that make up about 80% of what we say across all contexts (e.g., want, help, stop, go, more, look, me, you, happy, sad).
  • Fringe Vocabulary: These are context-specific nouns and verbs. For a playground board, fringe words would include swing, slide, sandbox, water, park, run, and climb.

A well-designed board places core vocabulary in a structured, easy-to-navigate layout (often following a left-to-right grammatical order) while dedicating a specific section to the unique features of that specific public space.

Evidence-Based Practice: What the Research Says About AAC and Inclusion

As clinical practitioners, everything we do at Resources at Lakeshore Speech is anchored in evidence-based practice and guidelines established by national bodies like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

The ASHA Position on Communication Access

According to ASHA, communication is a fundamental human right. ASHA explicitly states that AAC use does not stunt natural speech development; in fact, research consistently demonstrates that AAC supports and accelerates verbal speech production by reducing communication anxiety and providing a clear auditory and visual model of language.

Scientific Studies on Public-Space Modeling

A landmark body of research in the field of developmental disabilities highlights that environmental engineering—changing the physical environment to support the user—is the single most effective way to promote independent functional communication. According to a comprehensive meta-analysis by Sennott, Light, and McNaughton (2016), individuals with complex communication needs demonstrate a monumental increase in spontaneous peer interactions when visual supports are permanently embedded into natural play spaces. Their findings confirm that these engineered environments yield significantly higher rates of social initiation compared to scenarios where users are forced to rely solely on personal electronic devices.

When we apply this science to municipal planning, it becomes clear that relying on a family to bring a personal device to a park is a clinical failure of environmental design. The park itself must be accessible. Therefore, implementing physical boards aligns directly with established therapeutic protocols for generalization—the ability to use communication skills outside of a clinical therapy room and in the real world.

How to Implement Low-Tech AAC in Your Community: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are a parent, educator, or forward-thinking community leader, you might be wondering how to translate this knowledge into concrete action. Transforming your local park into an inclusive haven requires intentional planning.

Step 1: Identify the Right Location

Look for areas with high foot traffic and shared play zones. Ideal spots include:

  • Directly adjacent to the primary playground structure.
  • Near entry gates or benches where parents congregate.
  • Beside inclusive play pieces like wheelchair-accessible merry-go-rounds or adaptive swings.

Step 2: Select High-Quality, Accessible Materials

Do not cut corners on manufacturing. A cheap, laminated poster taped to a signpost will degrade within weeks. Invest in heavy-duty, UV-printed, non-glare aluminum or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) panels. Ensure the board is mounted at an accessible height for both standing children and individuals utilizing wheelchairs or mobility devices.

Step 3: Ensure Inclusive Vocabulary Design

Work with certified Speech-Language Pathologists to ensure the symbols chosen are universally recognized and structured logically. Avoid clutter; too many icons can cause visual fatigue and cognitive overload, defeating the purpose of quick, accessible communication.

Designing for Success: A Quick Implementation Checklist

Before purchasing or printing any public communication sign, verify that your project meets these accessibility standards:

communication board checklist
Checklist - Benefits of AAC in Public Spaces

Conclusion: Empowering Every Voice Through Community Infrastructure

The true measure of a community’s compassion and forward-thinking nature is found in how it treats its most vulnerable and marginalized members. True accessibility goes far beyond concrete wheelchair ramps and paved walkways; it must encompass cognitive and linguistic accessibility.

Recognizing the immense benefits of AAC in public spaces is the first step toward building a society where no child is left standing silently on the sidelines of a playground, unable to ask a peer to play. By installing robust, low-tech AAC boards, we can give the gift of an immediate, unshakeable voice to everyone who gathers in our shared spaces.

This investment builds an enduring culture of inclusion, empathy, and mutual understanding that echoes far beyond the boundaries of the park.

Take Action Today with Resources at Lakeshore Speech

Are you ready to champion accessibility and bring a high-quality, clinically verified communication board to your local park, school, or community center? Don’t navigate the design and vocabulary selection process alone.

Contact our dedicated team at https://www.lakeshorespeech.com/ today to consult with our AAC specialists and begin the seamless process of ordering custom, durable communication boards for your community. Together, we can ensure that every voice is heard, valued, and celebrated. Ensuring that everyone benefits from AAC in public spaces. 

Benefits of AAC in public spaces

The Monumental Benefits of Communication Boards for Children

Design consultation with certified SLP

Quick Facts & Key Takeaways – Benefits of Communication Boards

  • Total Inclusivity: Outdoor communication boards bridge the gap between physical accessibility and social inclusion on public playgrounds, pools, and splash parks.
  • The “Device Burdens” Solution: Traditional high-tech speech tablets (AAC systems) risk overheating in the sun, experiencing water damage at splash pads, or getting lost during active play. Large-scale, permanent weather-proof boards completely remove this obstacle.
  • Peer-to-Peer Bridges: By using a shared symbol space, neurotypical and neurodivergent children interact directly, dropping social barriers and mitigating the loneliness often felt by kids with limited speech.
  • Universal Learning Tool: In addition to assisting children with neurodivergent needs, these community installations support toddlers developing language, late talkers, and multilingual families navigating new languages.

What's Inside

How Outdoor Communication Boards Give Every Child a Voice

Imagine a vibrant local park on a sunny Saturday. Children are sprinting toward the swings, climbing up the slide, and playing a noisy game of tag. But for a child who is non-verbal, has autism, or experiences a significant language delay, this bustling environment can present unique challenges. They may want to ask for a turn or tell a peer “That’s cool!”, but the verbal words might not be accessible in that high-energy moment.

Now, imagine you want to join that game of tag. You know exactly what you want to say: “Can I play too?” But your vocal muscles or neurological pathways refuse to coordinate. You try to catch a peer’s eye, but they run past, caught up in the fast-paced auditory world around them. You have a personal speech-generating device, but it is safely tucked away in your parent’s backpack across the park because it is too heavy to carry while climbing, or because your family is terrified it will get wet near the pool.

For millions of minimally verbal or non-speaking children, this heartbreaking sense of isolation is a daily reality.

This is where playground communication boards serve as a vital tool. At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we view these boards not just as equipment, but as an essential component of a truly inclusive environment. By providing a visual language system, we can ensure that “play for all” includes every child’s voice. When we look at how communities can foster truly accessible environments, understanding how communication boards benefit children is the first step toward transforming public recreation spaces into hubs of unconditional belonging.

What Are Playground Communication Boards?

At their core, playground communication boards are large, durable signs installed in public play areas. They feature a grid of symbols, pictures, and words that represent common playground activities, needs, and social interactions. These boards are a functional form of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

By pointing to a symbol for “swing” or “stop,” a child can communicate effectively without needing to rely on verbal speech. These AAC playground boards act as a bridge for children who are non-verbal, minimally verbal, or even those who simply find the sensory environment of a park too overwhelming to speak clearly. They are a reliable, permanent “voice” available to anyone in the play area, providing a low-tech backup for when a child might not have their personal speech device handy.

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we view these boards not just as equipment, but as an essential component of a truly inclusive environment. By providing a visual language system, we can ensure that “play for all” includes every child’s voice.

Why Public Spaces Require a Shift in How We View Accessibility 

For years, community accessibility discussions centered almost entirely on physical infrastructure. Cities built poured-in-place rubber surfacing, installed wheelchair-accessible ramps, and integrated adaptive swing sets. While these engineering steps are vital, true play requires more than just getting a child’s body onto a playground structure—it requires connecting their mind and voice to the children around them.

Research indicates that children who experience complex communication challenges encounter deep social barriers on public playgrounds that go far beyond basic physical access (Therrien et al., 2022). Unstructured environments like neighborhood parks, community pools, and public splash pads are incredibly high-stimulation, fast-paced environments. In these settings, verbal speech moves quickly. If a child cannot rapidly express a need, share an idea, or establish a boundary, they are frequently excluded from cooperative play groups.

Furthermore, traditional Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems—such as high-tech dedicated speech tablets or personal communication binders—are highly vulnerable to the elements (Derse, 2008). A family spending an afternoon at a neighborhood splash park cannot easily risk exposing an expensive electronic device to water, sand, heat, or heavy impacts. Consequently, many children are left entirely “voiceless” during the exact hours of the day when they should be experiencing absolute freedom and play. Large, permanently anchored AAC communication boards solve this exact problem by embedding functional, universal language directly into the recreational environment.

benefits of Communication boards for children
benefits of communication boards

What Are the Benefits of Communication Boards for Children?

When looking at child development, we must address a core question: What are the benefits of communication boards for children? From a speech-language pathology perspective, these tools do far more than replace spoken words. They fundamentally alter how a child interacts with their environment, processes information, and builds relationships with the world around them.

1.  Reducing Communicative Frustration and Cognitive Load

When a child cannot express their thoughts, anxiety and frustration skyrocket. This often leads to behavioral meltdowns. One of the primary benefits of communication boards for children is that they lower the cognitive load required to speak. In high-energy public spaces, coming up with the motor plans for speech can be exhausting. Visual boards give children an instant, stress-free path to express exactly what they need without the pressure of vocalization.

2.  Supporting Receptive and Expressive Language Growth

Many individuals mistakenly believe these tools slow down speech development. However, clinical evidence shows the exact opposite. Visual aids provide a stable, permanent anchor for spoken language. While a spoken word disappears the moment it is muttered, a picture symbol remains static. This gives the child crucial time to process the word’s meaning. By pairing visual icons with spoken words, children build stronger vocabulary connections, boosting both their receptive understanding and their expressive output.

3.  Fostering Autonomy and Self-Advocacy

True independence means having control over your own choices. Public communication boards allow children to choose their own activities, direct their own play, and set personal boundaries. Instead of relying on a parent or caregiver to guess what they want, a child can confidently walk up to a board and state their mind. This early experience with self-advocacy builds lifelong confidence.

4.  Supporting Visual Learners

Many children with complex communication needs are visual learners. In a clinical setting, we often see that visual supports reduce frustration and lower cognitive load. Communication boards for parks provide a static reference point. Unlike spoken words, which are fleeting, a symbol on a board remains visible, allowing a child the time they need to process information and express a thought at their own pace.

5.  Encouraging Peer Connections

These boards are not exclusively for children with disabilities. They serve as a universal language for the entire playground. When neurotypical children see a peer using the board, it often sparks curiosity and social modeling. This naturally facilitates interaction, teaching children from a young age that there are many valid ways to communicate and connect with others.

communication boards for playgrounds
communication board design at Fairview Park Ohio

The Core Benefits of Communication Boards for Children in Public Parks

When cities and community leaders install permanent communication panels in recreational spaces, they change the entire dynamic of public play. Let’s break down the distinct clinical, emotional, and social advantages of these incredible community tools.

1. Eliminating the “Device Burden” and Protecting Speech Tools

As early intervention and school-based speech-language pathologists have long noted, carrying an external communication book or a dedicated electronic tablet during vigorous physical play is highly burdensome for a child (Derse, 2008). If a child has to hold a heavy device while climbing a ladder or traversing monkey bars, their safety is compromised. If they leave the device with a caregiver on a park bench, they lose their voice the moment they step onto the play equipment.

Permanent outdoor panels ensure that language is permanently present, accessible, and impervious to the elements. Whether a child is dripping wet at a municipal pool or covered in woodchips at a playground, they can simply walk up to the panel and point to “Go,” “Stop,” “More,” or “Water” to make their desires instantly known.

2. Equalizing the Social Playing Field

The magic of an outdoor communication panel lies in its status as a shared tool. It is not an isolated piece of medical equipment attached to a single child; it is an interactive fixture of the park available to everyone.

When neurotypical children see the board, they naturally become curious. They begin using the symbols to communicate with one another or to model language for their peers. This common visual interface reduces the “burden of initiation” on the neurodivergent child. Instead of trying to force a verbal greeting or figure out how to bridge a social gap, a child can walk up to the board, point to the symbol for “Play,” and point to the image of the slides. The communication barrier evaporates, paving the way for organic peer-to-peer relationships.

3. Immediate Access to Safety and Boundary Language

High-stimulation environments like splash pads and busy parks require rapid self-regulation and safety communication. If a child is feeling overwhelmed, hot, or frightened, they need to communicate that state instantly to prevent a sensory meltdown or a dangerous situation. Outdoor boards feature clearly visible, highly intuitive core vocabulary symbols for concepts like “Stop,” “Help,” “Hot,” “Cold,” “Hurt,” or “All Done.” This grants children the immediate power to advocate for their physical needs and personal boundaries in real-time, giving caregivers peace of mind.

Who Benefits from Outdoor AAC Boards?

The impact of outdoor AAC boards extends across a diverse range of park visitors. Based on our clinical experience at Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we see these tools benefiting a wide variety of users:

  • Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Visual symbols help navigate social transitions and reduce the stress of environmental changes.
  • Late Talkers and Toddlers: Even typically developing toddlers who are still building their vocabulary can use the board to express needs, often reducing the frustration common in early childhood.
  • Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech: For those who struggle with the motor planning required for speech, the board provides an immediate functional outlet.
  • English Language Learners (ELL): Symbols are a universal bridge. A child who does not yet speak the local language can still engage with peers through visual icons.
  • The “Device-Free” Moment: Personal high-tech AAC devices can be fragile or hard to see in the sun. A board allows a child to leave their expensive tech with a caregiver while they climb and play freely.

Design and Functionality: A Speech-Language Perspective

Effective playground communication boards require a thoughtful design rooted in linguistic principles. It isn’t just about putting pictures on a sign; it’s about how those symbols facilitate genuine language development.

Symbol System Consistency

Consistency is one of the most important factors in language learning. To support this, Resources at Lakeshore Speech offers both SymbolStix and Boardmaker/PCS (Picture Communication Symbols) sets. These are the two most common systems used in schools and on personal speech devices. Providing this choice allows communities to align their park signage with what local students are already learning in the classroom, making the tool much more intuitive.

Core vs. Fringe Vocabulary

A functional board balances “Core Vocabulary”—high-frequency words like go, help, stop, more, and me—with “Fringe Vocabulary”—specific nouns like slide, ball, or sandbox. This allows a child to move beyond simple labeling and begin constructing functional phrases like “more swing” or “I go.”

Durability and Customization

Because these are communication boards for parks, they must withstand heavy use and the elements. We utilize high-grade aluminum composite materials that do not rust or warp. Furthermore, we believe these boards should reflect the community. Unlike many providers, Resources at Lakeshore Speech provides 100% customization, including adding agency or donor logos at no additional cost. This helps foster a sense of community ownership and acknowledges the sponsors who make these projects possible.

Improving Accessibility with Integrated Technology

Even the best tool is only effective if people feel confident using it. To support parents and caregivers, every board provided by Resources at Lakeshore Speech includes a specialized QR code.

When scanned, this code links directly to an educational video. This resource demonstrates how to “model” language on the board in real-time. This immediate support helps adults feel more comfortable with AAC, ensuring the board becomes an active part of the playground experience rather than a static fixture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Communication Boards

As public interest in universal design grows, parents, town council members, and park directors frequently reach out to us with questions. Below are the most common inquiries we address regarding the implementation and benefits of communication boards for children.

Do communication boards stop a child from learning how to talk?

This is the single most common concern we hear from families, and the scientific answer is an absolute, definitive NO. Decades of speech-language pathology research and official statements from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) demonstrate that augmentative and alternative communication tools support and encourage verbal language development rather than hindering it.

Visual symbols provide a concrete cognitive anchor for fleeting acoustic spoken words. When a child points to a symbol while an adult says the word aloud, it reinforces language comprehension and reduces the immense cognitive pressure of speech production. Often, as comprehension increases through visual aids, verbal attempts follow close behind.

How do cities select the right vocabulary symbols for an outdoor park board?

Selecting vocabulary is a careful clinical science. To build true topical authority and clinical effectiveness, boards must balance Core Vocabulary and Fringe Vocabulary.

  • Core Vocabulary (80% of what we say): High-frequency words that can be used across multiple contexts (e.g., more, stop, go, look, want, help, I, you, it). These are typically placed in a consistent grid layout on the left and center of the board to assist with motor planning.
  • Fringe Vocabulary (20% of what we say): Specific nouns and context-dependent words unique to that environment (e.g., swing, water, slide, towel, ladder, splash). These are generally grouped by category along the edges or right-hand side.

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, our specialists collaborate directly with city planners and manufacturers to ensure that symbol selection meets ASHA’s highest standards of cultural responsiveness and clinical validity.

Successful Implementations Nationwide

The move toward more accessible play is a national movement. Resources at Lakeshore Speech has been proud to assist various communities in implementing these tools. Successful installations have already taken place in:

    • Lowell, MA
    • Rocky River, OH
    • Fairview, OH
    • Middletown, RI
    • Jackson County, AL
    • Lackawanna, NY
  • North Olmsted, OH

Feedback from these communities often highlights how the boards have opened up new social opportunities for children who previously felt like observers rather than participants.

Conclusion: Empowering Every Child to Have a Voice in the Community

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, our work is grounded in over six decades of combined clinical experience. We understand that a playground is more than just a place to run; it is a place to connect, to learn, and to belong.

Every single child deserves to experience the absolute joy, physical development, and social bonding that comes from unstructured public play. Playground equipment can challenge a child’s muscles, but a shared communication environment stretches their mind, builds empathy, and nurtures lasting peer friendships.

By investing in permanent outdoor communication boards, civic leaders, parent-teacher associations, and parks departments do more than just install a sign—they make a profound statement. They signal to every family that enters the park that their child is seen, valued, and welcome exactly as they are. These installations effectively eliminate the fear of damaged personal electronics, dismantle social isolation, and provide a vibrant, visual bridge that unites children of all abilities.

By integrating AAC playground boards into our public spaces, we are making a statement that every child’s voice is valued. We are proud to serve as a resource for communities looking to make their parks a little more welcoming, one symbol at a time.

Are you ready to spearhead a movement for true communication accessibility in your neighborhood, school district, or city park? Our dedicated team at Resources at Lakeshore Speech is here to guide you through every stage of the journey. From initial symbol mapping and custom vocabulary selection to sourcing ultra-durable, weather-proof manufacturing partners, we provide the expert clinical oversight needed to bring your vision to life.

Contact Resources at Lakeshore Speech today

Multi-Lingual Communication Boards: The Ultimate Guide to Inclusive Play

multi-lingual communication boards

Why Every Park Needs Multi-Lingual Communication Boards

Communication Boards:

Quick Facts & Key Takeaways

  • What they are: Large, weather-resistant signs featuring symbols and text (icons) that allow non-verbal or multi-lingual children to communicate.

  • The Goal: To ensure every child, regardless of their native language or physical ability, can ask to “swing,” “slide,” or “play together.”

  • Evidence-Based: Supported by ASHA standards for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

  • Community Impact: Enhances social-emotional learning and fosters a sense of belonging for English Language Learners (ELL).

communiation boards

Breaking the Silence on the Playground

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we believe that communication is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. Yet, for many children, the playground—a place meant for joy and connection—can be a source of profound isolation. Imagine a child who has the perfect idea for a game but lacks the spoken words to invite a peer. Now, imagine that same child is also navigating a world where their home language isn’t the primary one spoken at the park.

This is where communication boards step in as a transformative tool for equity. In our rapidly diversifying communities, the need for inclusive signage has never been greater. By integrating bilingual and multi-lingual AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) systems into public spaces, we are not just installing a sign; we are building a bridge. This guide serves as the definitive resource for families, educators, and community leaders on how “The Multi-Lingual Playground” can change the landscape of childhood forever.

What Are Communication Boards and Why Do They Matter?

To understand the impact of a communication board, one must first understand AAC. In the world of Speech-Language Pathology, AAC encompasses all the ways we share our ideas and feelings without talking.

The “Why” Behind the Board

For a child with Autism, a speech delay or a child who is an English Language Learner (ELL), the playground is a high-sensory environment. The noise, the movement, and the social pressure can make verbalizing thoughts difficult. A communication board provides a static, visual reference. It doesn’t move, it doesn’t disappear after it’s said, and it provides a “common language” for everyone on the mulch.

Furthermore, these communication boards act as a safety net. If a child is hurt or overwhelmed, they can point to “hurt” or “stop” even when their words fail them. By placing these tools in public view, we normalize different ways of communicating, reducing the stigma surrounding disabilities and language differences.

The Power of Multi-Lingual Communication Boards

While a standard English board is a great start, a truly inclusive community looks at its demographic data. In many neighborhoods, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, or Vietnamese are spoken just as frequently as English.

Supporting ELL and Bilingual Students Outdoors

Dual-language communication boards provide a unique “scaffolding” effect. For a child learning English, seeing the word “Slide” paired with the Spanish word “Tobogán” and a clear icon of a slide provides immediate context. It honors their native language while supporting their acquisition of a second one.

Key Benefits of Dual-Language Boards:

  • Validation: It tells families, “You belong here, and your language is valued.”

  • Cognitive Development: Research shows that bilingualism enhances executive function; these communication boards encourage all children to engage with multiple languages.

  • Social Equity: It levels the playing field, ensuring that a language barrier doesn’t prevent a child from making a friend.

 

clinic communication boards
communication boards for children

Layout Strategies: Designing for Clarity

A common concern among community leaders is: “Won’t adding a second language make the board too cluttered?” The answer lies in strategic design. As experts in visual communication, we follow specific layouts to ensure the board remains functional.

Stacking English and a Second Language

To maintain “scannability,” we often recommend a consistent hierarchy.

  1. Symbol First: The icon (the picture) should be the largest element, as it is the universal language.

  2. Color Coding: Using the Modified Fitzgerald Key—a system where different parts of speech (verbs, nouns, social words) are color-coded—helps the eye find what it needs quickly.

  3. Language Placement: We typically place the English word at the top and the second language directly beneath it in a slightly different font or color. This consistency allows the brain to “filter” for the language it needs without losing the icon’s meaning.

Translation vs. Localization: Capturing the Spirit of Play

One of the biggest mistakes in creating multilingual boards is relying on “Literal Translation.” A dictionary might tell you one thing, but the “spirit” of the play-word is what matters.

Clinical Insight: In Speech-Language Pathology, we call this “localization.” For example, the English word “cool” might mean “chilly” or “awesome.” On a playground, we want the “awesome” version.

When we design these boards at Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we work with native speakers to ensure that the terms used are the ones children actually use in their culture. We aren’t just translating words; we are translating the experience of joy.

Evidence-Based Practice: What the Research Says

Our recommendations aren’t just based on “good feelings”—they are rooted in science. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) emphasizes that AAC should be provided in a child’s primary language to support identity and family bonding.

The Robustness of Visual Supports

Studies in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research indicate that visual supports significantly reduce “communication breakdowns.” On a playground, a breakdown often looks like a tantrum or a child withdrawing from play. When a communication board is present, the “success rate” of social interactions increases because both the speaker and the listener have a visual anchor.

Additionally, the “Modeling” method (where a parent or peer points to the icons while speaking) has been proven to accelerate language learning for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children.

communication boards
create sentences

Addressing “People Also Ask” 

How do I choose which languages to include?

Start with your local school district’s data. Which languages are most represented in their ESL/ELL programs? Most communities opt for a bilingual board (e.g., English/Spanish), but tri-lingual communication boards are becoming increasingly popular in metropolitan hubs.

Where is the best place to install a communication board?

Visibility is key. We recommend placing communication boards near the entrance of the play area and at the “hub” (usually near the swings or the main play structure). It should be at a height accessible to children in wheelchairs and toddlers alike.

Will these boards get vandalized?

Our communication boards are manufactured using high-grade, UV-resistant, and graffiti-proof materials. While no public sign is 100% immune, we find that when a community understands the purpose of the board—helping children—there is a high level of respect for the installation.

Benefits for All: A Lesson in Empathy

Perhaps the most beautiful “side effect” of playground communication boards is how they affect neurotypical, English-speaking children. When a child sees a peer using a board, they don’t see a “disability”; they see a different way to talk.

Children are naturally curious. They will ask, “What is that sign?” This provides a perfect opening for parents and educators to talk about diversity, inclusion, and the many ways people experience the world. It teaches the next generation that if someone can’t speak your language, you find another way to listen.

Empowering Every Voice

The installation of a communication board is a declaration. It says that every child’s voice matters. It says that “inclusion” isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a physical reality built into the fabric of our parks.

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement. We provide the expertise needed to select the right vocabulary, the right layout, and the right languages to serve your specific community. By bringing multilingual AAC to your local playground, you aren’t just changing a park—you’re changing the life of every child who finally feels “heard” for the first time.

Ready to make your playground a truly inclusive space?

Don’t wait for another child to feel left out of the game. Contact us today to learn about our custom communication boards and how we can help you lead the way in community accessibility.

[Contact Resources at Lakeshore Speech Today]

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Are communication boards only for children with autism?

A: Not at all! They help children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, speech delays, ELL students, and even toddlers who haven’t found their words yet.

Q: Can these be used in schools?

A: Absolutely. Communication boards are perfect for recess areas, gyms, and cafeterias to support social interaction outside the classroom.

Q: How do we teach kids to use them?

A: It’s simple: Model, Model, Model. When you say, “Let’s go to the swing,” point to the “Swing” icon on the board. Kids will mimic what they see!

Q: Are the boards ADA compliant?

A: When installed at the correct height and on an accessible path, they are a major asset to ADA-compliant playground designs.

Q: How much do they cost?

A: Pricing varies based on size and customization. Reach out to our team for a quote tailored to your community’s needs!

communication board

Empowerment Through Fun: Customizing Communication Boards

communication boards

Breaking the "One-Size-Fits-All" Mold: A Comprehensive Guide to Customizing Communication Boards

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we believe that communication is not just a basic human right—it is the foundation of identity. For children and adults who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), the symbols on their screens or boards are more than just tools; they are their voice. However, for too long, the world of AAC has been dominated by generic, “one-size-fits-all” imagery.

When a child looks at their talker or AAC board, they shouldn’t just see a way to ask for a snack; they should see a reflection of themselves, their family, and their culture. This is why customizing communication boards is not just a technical task—it is an act of advocacy. In this definitive resource, we will explore how to weave diversity and inclusivity into the fabric of AAC, ensuring that every user feels seen, heard, and valued.

Why Representation Matters in AAC Communication

Representation isn’t a “luxury” feature in speech therapy; it is a clinical necessity. When we talk about AAC communication, we are talking about a person’s primary means of interacting with the world. If the icons on a board only feature light-skinned, able-bodied “yellow stick figures,” we inadvertently send a message to marginalized users that they are an afterthought.

The Impact of “The Why”

  • Validation of Identity: Seeing icons that match one’s skin tone or hair texture fosters a sense of belonging.
  • Reduced Cognitive Load: It is easier for a child to associate a symbol with a real-life concept when that symbol looks like their actual environment.
  • Increased Engagement: Users are more likely to take ownership of their device when it feels personalized to their life.

Furthermore, inclusivity in design reduces the “othering” of disability. By including diverse representations of ability—such as icons featuring wheelchairs, hearing aids, or service animals—we normalize the lived experiences of the people using these tools.

The Deep Dive: Customizing Communication Boards for Cultural Competence

Creating a truly diverse communication tool requires moving beyond the default settings. To achieve diversity in design, we must look at several key areas: skin tone, ability representation, and culturally relevant symbols.

1. Moving Beyond the “Yellow Stick Figure”

For decades, the standard in the industry was a generic, colorless figure. While intended to be “neutral,” neutrality often defaults to a Western, Eurocentric standard. When customizing communication boards, one of the first steps should be adjusting the skin tone settings. Most modern AAC software (like Proloquo2Go or TouchChat) and symbol systems (like PCS and SymbolStix) now allow for global skin tone shifts or individual icon edits.

2. Ability Representation

True inclusivity means showing that people of all abilities participate in all types of activities. Does the icon for “run” have to be a person on two legs? Could it be someone in a racing wheelchair? Does the icon for “listen” include a cochlear implant? These small details tell the user that their way of moving through the world is valid.

3. Culturally Relevant Symbols

Food, clothing, and holidays are the cornerstones of culture. If a family eats congee for breakfast, a “cereal bowl” icon isn’t helpful. If a child wears a hijab or a patka, their “clothing” icons should reflect that.

  • Food: Include staples like tamales, naan, or fufu.
  • Community: Ensure icons for places of worship include mosques, synagogues, and temples, not just churches.
  • Family: Represent diverse family structures, including multi-generational households or LGBTQ+ parents.

People Also Ask: Common Questions on Designing for Diversity

 

How do I start customizing communication boards for my classroom?

The best way to start is with an audit of your current materials. Look at your “core boards” and ask: “Who is missing?” Start by changing the default skin tones to reflect the demographics of your students. In addition to visual changes, ensure that vocabulary reflects the students’ home languages and slang, which is vital for social-emotional growth.

Does changing icons affect “Motor Planning” in AAC?

This is a common concern among SLPs. Motor planning is the ability to find a button based on its location rather than just its image. While you should avoid moving the location of a button, changing the visual of the icon usually does not disrupt the user’s ability to communicate, provided the change is made thoughtfully and the user is involved in the process.

Where can I find diverse icon sets for AAC communication?

Many companies are catching up. Global Symbols is an excellent external resource that provides free, culturally diverse pictograms. Additionally, you can upload real photos to most AAC platforms to provide the ultimate level of personalization.

Evidence-Based Practice: What the Research Says

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) emphasizes that “Clinical expertise and the perspectives of the individuals we serve are at the heart of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).” This includes cultural humility.

Studies in the field of sociolinguistics suggest that language is inseparable from culture. Consequently, when we provide a child with a communication system that ignores their culture, we are providing an incomplete language. Research shows that AAC communication is most effective when it is “socially valid”—meaning it fits the social context of the user’s life. By customizing communication boards, we are adhering to the highest standards of ASHA’s Code of Ethics by providing competent, culturally responsive care.

“To provide services that are truly person-centered, we must recognize that the user is the expert on their own life. Our job as specialists is to provide the canvas that allows their true self to emerge.”

The Design Process: A Collaborative Approach

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we don’t believe in designing in a vacuum. The process of customizing communication boards must involve the “experts”—the parents, caregivers, and community leaders who know the child best.

Step-by-Step Collaborative Design

  1. The Discovery Phase: We meet with the family to discuss their daily routines, traditions, and the specific “vocabulary of home.”
  2. Icon Selection: We present options for symbols. Does the family prefer realistic photos or stylized icons? Which skin tones and features best represent the child?
  3. Community Feedback: For community-based boards (like those in parks or libraries), we consult with local leaders to ensure the icons reflect the specific neighborhood’s demographics.
  4. Implementation and Iteration: We trial the board and make adjustments. Inclusivity is an ongoing journey, not a destination.

Internal and External Resources for Growth

To further your journey in inclusivity and AAC communication, we recommend exploring the following resources:

The Technical Side: How to Customize Communication Boards

If you are a parent or educator ready to take the leap, here is a quick guide to the technical side of customizing communication boards.

For Digital AAC Apps:

  • Search for “Styles”: Most apps have a “Style” or “User” setting where you can change the “Default Skin Tone.”
  • Use the Camera Tool: Don’t be afraid to take a photo of the child’s actual favorite toy or their actual “Abuela.” Real photos are the gold standard for personalized nouns.
  • Labeling: Ensure the text label matches the word used at home. If the family says “dinner,” don’t label the icon “supper.”

For High-Contrast/Visual Impairment:

Inclusivity also means designing for different visual needs. For users with CVI (Cortical Visual Impairment), customizing communication boards involves using high-contrast colors (like yellow or red on a black background) and reducing visual clutter.

Conclusion: Empowerment Through Personalization

Designing for diversity is more than just a trend; it is a commitment to the dignity of every individual who uses AAC. When we put in the work of customizing communication boards, we are telling our children that they belong in every space—on the playground, in the classroom, and in the heart of their communities.

Inclusivity in AAC communication breaks down barriers and builds bridges. It allows a child to say “This is me” before they ever say “I want.” At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we are dedicated to helping families and educators navigate this process with empathy and expertise.

Ready to give your child a voice that truly represents who they are? Contact Resources at Lakeshore Speech today to learn more about our custom communication board services and how we can support your journey toward a more inclusive future. Let’s build a world where every voice is seen.

Summary Checklist for Customizing Communication Boards and Inclusive Design

  • [ ] Have you adjusted the default skin tones?
  • [ ] Are there icons representing different types of mobility and medical equipment?
  • [ ] Does the food and clothing vocabulary reflect the user’s culture?
  • [ ] Have you consulted with the family about specific religious or community symbols?

By following these steps, you aren’t just creating a board; you are opening a door. Customizing communication boards is the key to unlocking a child’s full potential in a world that finally looks back at them.

customizing communication boards
Autism Awareness
How to Use and Model Social Skill Filters
customizing communication boards

The Ultimate Guide to Funding Communication Boards: How to Unlock Free Access to Inclusive Play

communiation boards

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we believe that every child deserves a voice, regardless of their location. Whether they are at the local playground, in the school cafeteria, or navigating a public park, the ability to connect with others is a fundamental human right. However, for non-speaking individuals or those who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), the world can often feel silent and exclusionary.

One of the most effective ways to bridge this gap is through the installation of large-scale, weather-proof communication boards. These tools provide a visual language system that allows everyone to interact. Yet, the most common hurdle we hear from dedicated parents and educators is: “How do we pay for this?”

The truth is that funding communication boards is not as daunting as it seems. While you might not see a specific line item in a budget labeled “communication board,” the funds are hidden in plain sight under categories like accessibility, civil rights, and educational equity. This guide will walk you through the evidence-based strategies to secure these funds and transform your community into an inclusive haven.

Why Funding Communication Boards is a Community Priority

Before diving into the “how,” we must understand “the why.” In the world of Speech-Language Pathology, we often refer to the Communication Bill of Rights. This document, supported by the American Association of Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), asserts that all people have the right to request objects, actions, events, and people, and to express personal feelings or beliefs.

When a park or school lacks an AAC board, a child who uses a high-tech device or non-verbal cues is effectively silenced the moment they step outside. By funding communication boards, you are not just buying a sign; you are:

  • Promoting Universal Design: Making spaces usable by all people to the greatest extent possible without the need for adaptation.
  • Enhancing Safety: Allowing a child to quickly communicate pain, fear, or a need for help in a crowded public space.
  • Fostering Social Inclusion: Giving neurotypical children the tools to initiate play with their neurodivergent peers.

Understanding the Primary Pathways for Funding Communication Boards

To successfully navigate the financial landscape, you have to speak the language of the funders. Most organizations don’t realize that an AAC board qualifies as “Assistive Technology” or “Environmental Modification.” Here are the heavy hitters in the funding world:

1.IDEA Part B(Special Education Funds)

For schools, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the gold standard. Under Part B, funds are allocated to ensure a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

  • Assistive Technology: If a student requires a communication board to access their playground or common areas as part of their IEP (Individualized Education Program), these funds can be utilized.
  • Supplementary Aids and Services: This category covers the extra support needed to help a child participate in regular education environments.

2. ADA Compliance and Civil Rights

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that public entities provide equal access.

  • Barrier Removal: If a park is undergoing a renovation, adding an AAC board can be classified as a “communication access improvement.”
  • Transition Grants: Many local governments have specific funds set aside for ADA transition plans to make their public spaces more compliant.

3. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

Administered by HUD (Housing and Urban Development), these grants are designed to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment—particularly for persons of low and moderate income. Disability access is a major pillar of this funding.

Key Secondary Keywords: Using an AAC Board to Leverage Local Grants

When searching for local money, using the term communication boards is helpful, but focusing on the impact of the AAC board is what wins the grant. Local organizations love projects with tangible, visual results.

The Power of Local Service Clubs

Groups like Rotary International, Kiwanis, and the Lions Club have long histories of supporting children’s health and community accessibility.

  • The Strategy: Present these groups with a “turnkey” project. Show them the design of the communication boards, explain the cost of installation, and offer to put their logo on the board as a “sponsored by” recognition.
  • The Result: Many communities have found that a single presentation to a local Rotary Club results in the full funding of a board within weeks.

PTAs and Local Education Foundations

Parent-Teacher Associations are often looking for legacy projects—something that will stay at the school for years. A communication board on the school playground is a perfect candidate because it serves every grade level and creates a culture of kindness from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions About Funding Communication Boards

How much does a professional communication board typically cost?

While prices vary based on size and material, a high-quality, durable outdoor AAC board typically ranges from $550 to $3,500. This includes the design, heavy-duty weatherproofing, and mounting hardware. While this may seem high, when compared to the cost of a single piece of playground equipment (which can exceed $10,000), it is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase playground utility.

Can we use “Mental Health” or “Public Health” funds?

Absolutely. Lack of communication leads to frustration, behavioral outbursts, and social isolation—all of which are public health concerns. Many Health and Human Services (HHS) grants for “Community Wellness” or “Mental Health Support” are applicable because these boards reduce the stressors associated with communication barriers.

Who is responsible for the maintenance of the board?

When funding communication boards through a city or school district, maintenance usually falls under the Parks and Rec or Facilities department. Because the boards are made from high-grade aluminum or anti-graffiti laminate, maintenance is minimal—usually just a wipe-down during regular cleaning cycles.

Can we use more than one funding source?

The “Stacking” Strategy

The most successful projects don’t rely on one check. They “stack” their layers:

  1. Layer 1: A grant covers the physical AAC board cost.
  2. Layer 2: A local business or service club covers the professional installation.
  3. Layer 3: The existing staff budget covers a 1-hour training session for teachers or park rangers on how to model the board.

Mastering the Justification Language: What Funders Need to Hear

To secure funding communication boards, your application must be precise. Funders aren’t just looking for “a sign”; they are looking to solve a problem. Your justification language should focus on these four pillars:

  1. The Population: “This project serves non-speaking students, individuals with Autism, those with expressive language delays, and English Language Learners (ELL).”
  2. The Barrier: “Currently, there is a ‘communication gap’ on our playground that prevents 15% of our student body from safely and effectively interacting with peers.”
  3. The Outcome: “Expected outcomes include a 40% reduction in playground-related behavioral incidents and a measurable increase in peer-to-peer social engagement.”
  4. The Necessity: “This is a necessary step in meeting our ADA obligations for ‘effective communication’ and ensuring that our facilities are truly inclusive.”

Pro Tip: At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we provide custom justification language for communities at no cost. You give us 10 minutes of your time to describe your space, and we provide the text you need to get your board funded.

communication boards
Funding Communication Boards with Community Help
community communication board

Evidence-Based Practice: Why SLPs Advocate for Physical Boards

As Speech-Language Pathologists, we follow the evidence. Clinical observations and ASHA standards emphasize Modeling (also known as Aided Language Stimulation). This is the process where a communication partner points to symbols on a board while speaking.

Research shows that:

  • Visual supports increase the speed of language acquisition.
  • Providing a permanent visual display (like a large AAC board) reduces the cognitive load on a child who struggles to process spoken words.
  • Augmentative communication does not stop a child from learning to speak; in fact, it often encourages vocalizations by reducing the pressure of communication.

By funding communication boards, you are applying these clinical gold standards to the “real world,” ensuring that the progress a child makes in a therapy room isn’t lost the moment they go outside to play.

Navigating the Challenges of Funding Communication Boards

While the path is clear, there are often minor hurdles. Here is how to leap over them:

“We don’t have enough space.”

Communication boards come in various sizes. If a large freestanding kiosk isn’t an option, consider fence-mounted versions or smaller “communication stations” at key points (the swing set, the slide, the gate).

“What if it gets vandalized?”

High-quality communication boards are built with anti-graffiti coatings. Most markers and spray paints can be removed with simple solvents without damaging the icons. When presenting to a city council, emphasize the durability of the materials—this is a 10-year investment, not a temporary fix.

“Our staff doesn’t know how to use it.”

This is where Resources at Lakeshore Speech comes in. We don’t just provide the boards; we provide the roadmap for implementation. Funding can often include a small “professional development” line item to ensure that everyone from the gym teacher to the park gardener knows how to point to “Go,” “Stop,” and “Play.”

The Community Impact: A Legacy of Inclusion

When a community succeeds in funding communication boards, the atmosphere changes. It sends a silent but powerful message to families: “You belong here. We see you, and we have prepared a place for you.”

For a parent of a non-speaking child, seeing an AAC board at a local park is an invitation to exhale. It means they don’t have to carry a heavy device into a sandbox or worry that their child will be misunderstood by a new friend. It creates a “universal language” that transcends diagnoses and age groups.

Furthermore, these boards benefit more than just the disability community. They are used by:

  • Toddlers who are just beginning to develop functional language.
  • Grandparents who may have hearing loss or cognitive changes.
  • Non-English speakers who can use the universal icons to communicate basic needs.

Conclusion: Start Your Journey Toward an Inclusive Community Today

Funding communication boards is not an expense—it is an investment in the social fabric of your neighborhood. Whether you leverage federal IDEA funds, tap into local Rotary clubs, or utilize ADA transition grants, the money is available. The key is to stop seeing the board as a “nice to have” and start seeing it as a civil rights necessity.

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we are more than just experts in communication; we are your partners in advocacy. We know the clinical benefits of communication boards, and we know the administrative hurdles of funding communication boards.

Are you ready to give your community a voice? Don’t let a lack of budget stand in the way of inclusion. Empowerment starts with a single conversation. Contact Resources at Lakeshore Speech today to receive your free justification language and start the process of ordering your communication boards. Together, we can ensure that no child is left out of the conversation.

Action Checklist for Successful Funding of Communication Boards:

  • [ ] Identify your site: Where would a board have the most impact?
  • [ ] Identify your “Stack”: Which two funding sources can you combine?
  • [ ] Request Justification: Contact us for the specific wording for your grant.
  • [ ] Present to Stakeholders: Use our evidence-based talking points to win approval.
  • [ ] Install and Celebrate: Hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to show your community that everyone has a voice!
playground communication boards
Funding Communication Boards with PTA help
benefits of Communication boards for children

Transforming Sports: The Benefits of a Communication Board

Therapeutic riding Communication Boards

Empowering Every Athlete: The Definitive Guide to Using a Communication Board in Therapeutic Sports and Recreation

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we believe that every individual deserves a voice, regardless of their physical or cognitive setting. The right tools can bridge the gap between “participating” and “thriving.” In the world of adaptive athletics—from therapeutic riding arenas to soccer fields—the most vital piece of equipment isn’t always a specialized saddle or a modified ball. Often, it is a communication board.

“The Why” behind our mission is simple: communication is a human right. In therapeutic sports and recreation, the stakes are high. When an athlete cannot express pain, joy, or a need for a break, their safety and autonomy are compromised. By implementing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools, we move away from guessing and toward true inclusivity.

What is a Communication Board in a Therapeutic Context?

A communication board is a form of AAC that uses symbols, pictures, or photos to help individuals express their thoughts, needs, and feelings. In the context of therapeutic sports and recreation, these boards are often large-format, weather-resistant signs placed strategically where the action happens.

Whether a participant uses a high-tech speech-generating device at home or relies on gestures and facial expressions, a permanent AAC board on-site ensures that communication is always “available” and “normalized.” It removes the burden of carrying expensive electronics into dusty arenas or splash zones, providing a reliable, “low-tech” backup that everyone—coaches, volunteers, and peers—can understand.

The Activity Communication Gap: Moving Beyond Interpretation

A recurring challenge observed during therapeutic sports practices and events: The Activity Communication Gap. You have likely seen it yourself:

  • A rider at a therapeutic center who begins to melt down because they cannot say “stop” when sensory input becomes overwhelming.
  • A soccer player who stands frozen because they can’t signal “ready” or “wait.”
  • A camper who passively follows instructions but lacks the means to say “different” when they want to try a new craft.

When a participant lacks a functional way to speak, instructors often resort to interpreting behavior. While well-intentioned, interpretation is not communication. Interpretation is a guess; communication is agency. By installing a communication board, we provide the participant with the power of self-advocacy.

Where to Implement an AAC Board for Maximum Impact

To foster true inclusivity, a communication board should not be tucked away in a therapist’s office. It needs to be where the life of the program happens. Leading programs are implementing these tools in five key zones:

1. Arena and Field Entry

This serves as a pre-activity check-in. Participants can point to symbols to indicate their mood, their readiness to start, or even which piece of equipment they feel like using that day.

2. Activity Zones

During the heat of the game or the height of a lesson, communication needs to be instantaneous. Boards placed on the sidelines of a court or the fence of an arena allow for mid-activity choices, such as “faster,” “slower,” or “my turn.”

3. Rest Areas and Regulation Stations

Therapeutic recreation can be taxing. Having a communication board in a “cool-down” zone allows a participant to ask for “water,” “break,” or “quiet time,” helping them regulate their nervous system before a breakdown occurs.

4. Equipment and Tack Rooms

Involvement in the “prep” phase of sports builds vocational and life skills. Using a board to identify a “helmet,” “vest,” “saddle,” or “ball” encourages vocabulary growth and independence.

5. Transition and Reflection Zones

Post-activity reflection is crucial for cognitive processing. A board at the exit allows a participant to tell their parents or caregivers, “I liked it,” “It was hard,” or “I want to do it again.”

Clinic communication board in sensory gym
emotional regulation balance communication board

People Also Ask: Common Questions About Communication Boards

How do I know which symbols to include on an AAC board?

The selection of symbols should never be random. In the field of Speech-Language Pathology, we follow Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), effective AAC should include a mix of “core vocabulary” (high-frequency words like go, stop, want, help) and “fringe vocabulary” (activity-specific words like horse, ball, kick).

Can adults use these boards, or are they just for children?

Inclusivity means everyone. These boards are designed for individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, aphasia from a stroke, or even temporary injuries. The use of universal symbols (like Boardmaker/PCS or SymbolStix) ensures that the message is clear regardless of the user’s age or literacy level.

Will using a communication board stop my child from talking?

This is a common myth. Decades of SLP research show that AAC actually supports and encourages natural speech development. It reduces the frustration of being misunderstood, which often opens the door to more vocal attempts.

Material Considerations for Activity Environments

When choosing a communication board, the environment dictates the material. You wouldn’t use a cardboard box as a hurdle, and you shouldn’t use paper for an outdoor arena.

Outdoor Fields and Arenas

For environments exposed to the elements, Aluminum Composite is the industry standard.

  • Durability: 15+ year lifespan.
  • Resilience: Temperature stable from -20°F to 120°F.
  • Quality: UV-cured printing ensures the symbols don’t fade under the sun.
  • Cost: Typically ranges from $550-$675.

Indoor Gyms and Protected Areas

For tack rooms or indoor courts, Coroplast (corrugated plastic) is a budget-friendly alternative.

  • Lifespan: 5-7 years.
  • Cost: Typically ranges from $200-$400.
  • Utility: Lightweight and easy to mount on walls or portable easels.

Evidence-Based Practice: Why It Matters

As SLPs, our practice is grounded in the “Participation Model.” This framework suggests that we must identify barriers to communication and then provide the necessary supports to overcome them. A communication board is a direct intervention that addresses the “opportunity barrier.”

When we provide an AAC board in a public or recreational space, we are practicing Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This means we are creating an environment that is accessible to the greatest number of people without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It benefits the non-speaking child, the senior with hearing loss and even the volunteer who might be a non-native English speaker.

Symbol Selection: The Vocabulary of Play

A successful communication board for therapeutic sports and recreation focuses on functional communication. Here are the categories of words we prioritize at Resources at Lakeshore Speech:

Category

Key Vocabulary Examples

Safety

STOP, WAIT, HELP, SLOW, HURT

Readiness

READY, NOT READY, MORE, DONE

Activity-Specific

WALK, TROT, THROW, KICK, CATCH

Feelings/Comfort

GOOD, DIFFERENT, AGAIN, HARD, EASY

Equipment

HELMET, BALL, BAT, VEST, GLOVE

By providing these specific words, we allow the athlete to be a partner in the process, not just a recipient of a service.

Funding Pathways: How to Pay for Your Communication Board

One of the most frequent hurdles programs face is the budget. However, we have seen that therapeutic sports and recreation programs rarely have to pay for these boards out of pocket. Many “stack” their funding through these common pathways:

  1. Adaptive Sports Grants: Many state and federal agencies offer funding specifically for “accessible equipment.”
  2. Therapeutic Riding Associations: Organizations like PATH Intl. often have small grants for facility improvements.
  3. Community Foundations: Local Rotary Clubs or disability advocacy groups love funding tangible projects like a permanent AAC board.
  4. Donor Campaigns: “Give a Participant a Voice” is a powerful message for a capital campaign. A single donor can often sponsor one board for the cost of a few hundred dollars.

The Human Cost: Why Waiting Isn’t an Option

When program directors ask about the return on investment for a communication board, the most valuable question isn’t about the $600 for the aluminum or the $300 for the Coroplast.

The real question is: What is the cost of not doing this?

It is the cost of the participant who spends an entire hour in a riding lesson unable to say “I’m scared.” It is the cost of the athlete who never learns that their opinion matters. It is the cost of the student who goes through your program without ever experiencing the thrill of self-advocacy.

When we fail to provide a communication board, we are inadvertently telling the participant that their voice is only welcome if it sounds like ours. Inclusivity demands better.

Conclusion: Empowering Your Community

Implementing a communication board is a transformative step toward a truly inclusive therapeutic environment. It shifts the power dynamic, giving the athlete the tools to lead their own journey. It provides volunteers with the confidence to assist and parents with the relief of knowing their child is understood.

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we are dedicated to helping organizations navigate the complexities of AAC and therapeutic communication. Whether you are a small riding center or a large-scale adaptive sports complex, your participants deserve to be heard.

Ready to give your participants a voice? Contact Resources at Lakeshore Speech today for a professional consultation on selecting, designing, and implementing the perfect communication board for your facility. Let’s build a more inclusive world, one word at a time.

Clinic communication board in sensory gym
communication boards $550
Therapeutic riding Communication Boards

Communication Board for Pool Safety and Inclusivity Guide

pool communication boards

Splashing into Inclusivity
The Definitive Guide to the Pool Communication Board

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we believe that every individual deserves a voice, regardless of the environment. Whether it’s in a classroom, at home, or in the middle of a community swimming pool, communication is a fundamental human right.

The “Why” behind our mission is simple: aquatic environments—while designed for joy and fitness—are often sensory-heavy and linguistically demanding. For individuals with communication differences, the absence of a communication board isn’t just an inconvenience; it is a significant barrier to safety and social inclusion. In this guide, we will explore why these boards are the gold standard for accessibility, how they support AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) users, and the evidence-based reasons your facility needs one.

What is a Pool Communication Board?

A communication board is a form of AAC that uses symbols, pictures, and text to allow individuals who are non-speaking or have limited verbal speech to express their thoughts, needs, and safety concerns. In an aquatic setting, these boards are typically large, weather-resistant signs mounted on the pool deck, near locker rooms, or at the water’s edge.

The Role of AAC in the Water

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. “Augmentative” means to add to someone’s speech, while “Alternative” means to be used instead of speech. In a loud, echoing pool environment, even verbal swimmers might find their voices drowned out by splashing and whistles. Consequently, a communication board serves as a universal tool that enhances inclusivity for everyone—from a child with autism to a swimmer with a temporary vocal strain or a hearing impairment.

Why Aquatic Facilities Must Prioritize Inclusivity and Accessibility

Aquatic facilities, including public pools, swim schools, and therapeutic centers, are community hubs. However, standard safety protocols often rely entirely on auditory processing (listening to a lifeguard) or verbal output (shouting for help). This creates an “access gap.”

Safety First: The SLP Perspective

From a clinical standpoint, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) emphasizes that communication is successful only when the sender and receiver have a shared means of understanding. In a pool, if a swimmer cannot say they are “dizzy” or “tired,” the risk of a submersion incident increases.

Research indicates that 75% of drowning incidents involve witnesses. Often, the tragedy isn’t that no one was looking, but that the swimmer could not effectively signal distress. By installing a communication board, facilities provide a visual “voice” that can be “heard” even in the most chaotic moments.

Key Safety Vocabulary to Include:

  • HELP: An immediate distress signal that requires no explanation.
  • STOP: Vital for halting unsafe play or transitions.
  • SCARED: Allows lifeguards to address emotional distress before it leads to a physical panic response.
  • TIRED/COLD: These are early warning signs of physical exhaustion or hypothermia.
  • DEEP/SHALLOW: Essential for water depth awareness and boundary setting.

The Anatomy of a High-Quality Communication Board

Not all signs are created equal. Because a pool is a harsh chemical environment, the materials used for a communication board must be as robust as they are functional. At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we advocate for specific “SLP-approved” material standards to ensure the longevity of your accessibility investment.

Material Requirements: Why Standard Signs Fail

If you use standard vinyl or plastic, the chlorine will eat through it within a year. Furthermore, UV rays from the sun will fade the symbols, rendering the board useless for those with visual processing needs.

The Gold Standard Specifications:

  1. Aluminum Composite: This is required for its chlorine resistance. It offers a 15+ year lifespan and is waterproof, meaning it won’t warp or delaminate.
  2. UV-Cured Printing: This ensures the symbols remain vibrant and “readable” for the brain, even under the harsh glare of the afternoon sun.
  3. 316 Marine-Grade Stainless Steel Hardware: Standard screws will rust and streak your pool deck. Marine-grade hardware is essential for maintaining structural integrity and aesthetics in a damp, chlorinated atmosphere.

Feature

Standard Material

Aluminum Composite (Recommended)

Lifespan

6–12 Months

15+ Years

Chlorine Resistance

Poor (Brittle)

High

UV Protection

Fades quickly

Fade-proof (UV-Cured)

Warping

High (Heat + Moisture)

Temperature Stable

Common Questions: “People Also Ask” About Pool Boards

1. Who actually uses a communication board at the pool?

While designed for AAC users (such as individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, or Apraxia), these boards are used by a surprisingly wide demographic. This includes:

  • Toddlers who are just developing language.
  • English Language Learners who rely on visual symbols to understand pool rules.
  • Lifeguards who need to give clear, visual directions to a distracted swimmer.
  • Seniors with hearing loss who benefit from visual reinforcement.

2. Where is the best place to install them?

Strategic placement is key to inclusivity. We recommend three primary locations:

  • The Entrance: Sets the tone for an inclusive environment immediately.
  • The Shallow End/Steps: Where most instructional teaching and initial transitions happen.
  • Lifeguard Stations: This ensures the symbols are within the sight line of the person responsible for safety.

3. Does it replace a child’s personal AAC device?

Ideally, no. However, many high-tech AAC devices (like iPads with speech apps) are not waterproof. Families are often terrified of bringing an expensive piece of technology near the water. Consequently, a permanent, mounted communication board provides a “waterproof voice” that ensures a child is never without a way to speak, even when their primary device is safely tucked away in a locker.

How Do Communication Boards Benefit Communities?

When a facility commits to accessibility, the ripple effects extend far beyond the water’s edge. Transforming a public space with a communication board doesn’t just assist one individual; it strengthens the social fabric of the entire neighborhood.

1. Enhancing Public Safety and Rapid Response

From a clinical and safety perspective, the most immediate benefit is the reduction of risk. Because aquatic environments are high-stakes, the ability to relay information quickly is life-saving.

  • Immediate Distress Signaling: Swimmers can signal “PAIN,” “DIZZY,” or “CRAMP” before a physical struggle begins.
  • Clearer Lifeguard Instructions: Lifeguards can use the board to visually reinforce verbal commands, ensuring that swimmers with auditory processing disorders or hearing loss understand safety boundaries.
  • Prevention of “Silent” Emergencies: By providing a “voice” for the tired or overwhelmed swimmer, the community sees fewer escalations that lead to active rescues.

2. Promoting Social Inclusivity and Peer Connection

Inclusivity is about more than just physical access; it is about belonging. When a communication board is present, it acts as a bridge between speaking and non-speaking peers.

  • Collaborative Play: Children can use the board to ask each other to “PLAY” or “SPLASH,” fostering friendships that might not have formed due to a language barrier.
  • Normalized Diversity: Having AAC tools in plain sight teaches the entire community—especially children—that there are many valid ways to communicate.
  • Community Pride: Families of children with disabilities are more likely to frequent and support facilities that demonstrate a visible commitment to their needs.

3. Fostering Swimmer Independence and Self-Advocacy

For many AAC users, the pool has historically been a place where they must rely entirely on a caregiver to interpret their needs. A communication board changes that dynamic entirely.

  • Autonomy in Action: Swimmers can advocate for themselves, choosing when they want to “EXIT” or move to the “SHALLOW” end without waiting for an adult to guess.
  • Reduction in Frustration-Based Behaviors: Many “meltdowns” at the pool are actually results of communication frustration. When a swimmer can point to “COLD” or “WANT WATER,” the need for a behavioral outburst vanishes.
  • Confidence Building: Mastering the ability to communicate in a challenging environment like a pool builds a swimmer’s confidence that carries over into the classroom and home.

The investment in a communication board is an investment in the dignity and safety of every community member who enters the water.

Best Practices for Implementing AAC in Aquatic Programs

Installing the board is only the first step. To truly achieve inclusivity, staff and families must know how to use it. Here are the SLP-recommended steps for successful implementation:

1. Model, Model, Model

“Modeling” is the practice of pointing to the symbols while you speak. If a lifeguard says, “Time to stop,” they should simultaneously point to the STOP icon on the communication board. This teaches the swimmer what the symbol means in real-time.

2. Staff Training

Lifeguards should be trained on the basic layout of the board. They don’t need to be experts in AAC, but they should know where the “HELP,” “PAIN,” and “EXIT” icons are located. This preparation can shave seconds off emergency response times.

3. Customization

Every pool is different. A therapeutic pool might need icons for “STRETCH” or “WEIGHTS,” while a water park needs “SLIDE” and “WAIT.” At Lakeshore Speech, we emphasize that the vocabulary should reflect the specific activities of the facility to maximize accessibility.

The Investment: Funding Your Communication Board

We understand that budget is always a consideration for community leaders and park directors. Typically, a high-quality, chlorine-resistant communication board with marine-grade hardware ranges from $550 to $675.

While this may seem like a significant upfront cost compared to a standard plastic sign, the “cost per use” over a 15-year lifespan is pennies. Furthermore, many facilities find funding through:

  • ADA Transition Grants: Designed specifically to improve accessibility in public spaces.
  • Community Fundraising: Local Lions Clubs or Rotary groups often jump at the chance to fund a visible, high-impact project.
  • Swim School Fees: A small “inclusivity fee” can quickly cover the cost of the equipment.

Conclusion: Empowering Every Swimmer

The installation of a communication board is a powerful statement. It tells your community that you see them, you value them, and you are committed to their safety. By prioritizing inclusivity and providing robust AAC support, you transform a simple pool into a sanctuary of expression and independence.

At Resources at Lakeshore Speech, we have seen these boards change lives—one point, one symbol, and one splash at a time. We have moved past the era where “silence” in the water was the only option for non-speaking individuals. Today, the technology and the materials exist to ensure that every swimmer can say, “I am here, I am safe, and I am having fun.”

Take the Next Step Toward Accessibility

Are you ready to make your facility a leader in inclusivity? Don’t navigate the technical requirements alone. Our team of experts is here to help you select the right vocabulary, choose the best materials and train your staff on effective AAC implementation.

Contact Resources at Lakeshore Speech today. Let’s work together to ensure that no swimmer is left without a voice.

Key Takeaways for Community Leaders

  • Safety is the priority: A communication board provides a critical distress signal for non-speaking swimmers.
  • Durability matters: Only use aluminum composite and 316 marine-grade stainless steel to withstand chlorine.
  • Universal Design: These boards benefit everyone, from toddlers to seniors, not just AAC users.
  • Proven Impact: Facilities across the country report higher participation and fewer safety incidents after installation.

“Communication is the heartbeat of inclusion. When we give a swimmer a board, we aren’t just giving them symbols; we are giving them the power to belong.” — The Resources at Lakeshore Speech Philosophy

communication boards $550
communication board
Waterproof and UV-resistant pool communication board
symbols system - symbolstix