How We Encourage Giulietta to Initiate Communication Independently

We teach Giulietta how to communicate using Proloquo at home, modelling how to build sentences, ask questions, and express her thoughts using core words.

By Creating Predictable Communication Opportunities

Through consistent practice and real-life modelling, Giulietta learns how to apply these communication skills independently in other settings. The goal across all activities is to help Giulietta initiate communication on her own and use her device confidently to express herself in any environment.

Communicating During Meals

Each day, Giulietta takes part in lunch preparation, which is treated as a meaningful learning opportunity. She begins by choosing an item she wants on her iPad and is encouraged to form a complete sentence, such as, “I want to eat pizza.” Once she expresses what she wants, she moves on to identifying the ingredients she “needs” for the recipe. She practices saying “We need” or “I need” and then lists items like flour, yeast, or salt. After covering the main ingredients, she will then say what she “wants” for the pizza toppings, such as mushrooms, pickles, or spinach.

Once all the items are gathered, Giulietta works on using action words to describe tasks or request assistance. She might say, “I need help to open pickles,” or other steps where she requires support. This process transforms lunch preparation into a structured, interactive communication activity that reinforces sentence formation.

During Community Outings

When going to places like Loblaws, the library, or the mall, we encourage Giulietta to use her AAC device independently to navigate real-world communication scenarios. At Loblaws, she might ask where the juice is, using her device to request items while receiving guidance as needed. At the library, she can ask where one of her favourite books is, like Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes. At the mall, she works on colours and navigation, asking where to find a purple sweater. Throughout these outings, we provide support while encouraging her to take the lead, helping her build confidence.

During Her Social Program

In her social program, we focus on encouraging Giulietta to bring the skills she’s practiced at home into a group setting. She uses her iPad to say hello to peers and initiate conversations. For example, she might ask a friend to play Hangman with her, using her iPad as a tool to communicate her ideas. By guiding her to apply familiar language and core words in these social situations, we help Giulietta practice independence and take initiative.

Working at Loblaws

When working at Loblaws, Giulietta takes initiative to greet staff when she arrives and independently uses her iPad to ask for what she needs, such as saying, “I need scanner.” By encouraging her to initiate these interactions on her own, Giulietta builds confidence using her iPad in everyday work situations.

The Power of Predictability

By structuring these moments consistently across meals, outings, social programs, and at work, Giulietta begins to anticipate these opportunities and prepares accordingly. Over time, meaningful communication opportunities build her confidence, transforming it from a tool she uses because she needs to, into a tool she actively chooses to use because it connects her with others.