Programming Your Child’s Device for Thanksgiving

Let’s talk about a few fun and easy ways you can incorporate your child’s AAC device at the Thanksgiving table! Social gatherings can be a really motivating time for children to use their device to be a part of conversations and participate with others. Here are some simple tips to get your child’s device Thanksgiving-ready:

‍1. Build a Thanksgiving Page

Many devices will have holiday pages but customizing or adding a Thanksgiving page allow for more options and easier access to target vocabulary. Add foods you know will be on the table: turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, pie, gravy, corn, stuffing.

‍Let your child explore and comment! They can say things like “I want pie,” “Yum,” or even comment on specific food items “Yum turkey”. Allow them the opportunity to request the food they would like on their plate.

2. Practice Greeting Family and Guests

Program a few easy greetings like:

• “Happy Thanksgiving!”
• “I’m glad you’re here.”
• “Come sit with me!”
• “Hi, grandpa”

This helps your child participate in social moments without pressure and relatives love hearing their personalized greetings.

3. Share Gratitude in a Way That Works for Them

Thankfulness circles can feel intimidating, so prepare ahead! Add a page with phrases such as:

• “I’m thankful for my family.”
• “I’m thankful for ___ (food, toys, pets).”
• “Today I feel ___.”

If expressing gratitude is tricky, model your own: “I’m thankful for YOU.”

4. Narrate the Fun of Cooking and Prepping

If you’re cooking together, use the device to label actions: mix, stir, smell, taste, help.

Ask simple questions your child can answer with single words: “Stir or pour?” “More salt or no salt?” It’s a natural way to build vocabulary while making dinner and this vocabulary can be used in all future cooking tasks, not just Thanksgiving.

5. AAC and Games

You can add in some silly holiday jokes to your child’s device. One button can have the joke question and the next can have the answer. If you are playing a family game, make sure to familiarize them with phrases like “my turn”. If you enjoy watching football, program in some phrases like “touchdown”, “go _____”, and any players they might know. This allows them to join in on the action!

6. Support Quiet Moments Too

Thanksgiving can be overwhelming. Add calming phrases such as:

• “I need a break.”
• “Too loud.”
• “I want to sit somewhere else.”
  Empowering your child to advocate for their needs helps the whole day go more smoothly

Holidays can be a great way to try out new vocabulary. They are also a time where your child might be interacting with family members they don’t know or who aren’t familiar with AAC devices. Make sure to provide some education to family members so they know how to include your child this holiday season. If you need any help editing your child’s device, ask your child’s speech-language pathologist to help during their treatment session!