Helping Communication Partners Feel Confident Using AAC in Everyday Life
Learning to use an AAC system can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone.
AAC Coaching is designed to support parents and caregivers by providing practical guidance, education, and individualized coaching to help you confidently use AAC during everyday routines. Together, we'll focus on strategies that fit your family's goals, routines, and lifestyle so you can feel more comfortable supporting your child's communication at home and in the community.
A communication partner is anyone who regularly communicates with and supports an AAC user. This may include parents, caregivers, grandparents, siblings, teachers, therapists, or other important people in the individual's life.
Learning to use an AAC system can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone.
AAC Coaching is designed to support parents and caregivers by providing practical guidance, education, and individualized coaching to help you confidently use AAC during everyday routines. Together, we'll focus on strategies that fit your family's goals, routines, and lifestyle so you can feel more comfortable supporting your child's communication at home and in the community.
A communication partner is anyone who regularly communicates with and supports an AAC user. This may include parents, caregivers, grandparents, siblings, teachers, therapists, or other important people in the individual's life.
Meet Your Coach
Hi! I'm Jennifer Lozano, M.S., CCC-SLP, a pediatric speech-language pathologist and the owner of Playing Our Part Speech Therapy.
I have completed extensive continuing education in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and am passionate about helping communication partners feel confident supporting AAC in everyday life.
My coaching approach is collaborative, practical, and individualized. Rather than expecting perfection, I focus on helping families make small, meaningful changes that can have a lasting impact on communication.
I have completed extensive continuing education in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and am passionate about helping communication partners feel confident supporting AAC in everyday life.
My coaching approach is collaborative, practical, and individualized. Rather than expecting perfection, I focus on helping families make small, meaningful changes that can have a lasting impact on communication.
What Is AAC Coaching?
AAC Coaching is a caregiver-focused service designed to help communication partners learn how to support AAC use in meaningful, everyday situations. Unlike traditional speech therapy, AAC Coaching focuses on empowering the adults in a child's life. Rather than working directly with the child, we'll work together to build your confidence, answer your questions, problem solve challenges, and develop practical strategies you can use throughout your daily routines. Whether your child is new to AAC or has been using a device for some time, coaching can help you feel more confident and supported.
Who is AAC Coaching For?
AAC Coaching may be a good fit if...
✔ Your child received an AAC system and you're unsure where to begin
✔ You'd like to feel more confident using AAC at home
✔ Your child's AAC device isn't being used as much as you'd like
✔ You're looking for practical strategies that fit into everyday routines
✔ You have questions about AAC that haven't been fully answered
✔ You want additional support alongside your child's speech therapy services
✔ Your child received an AAC system and you're unsure where to begin
✔ You'd like to feel more confident using AAC at home
✔ Your child's AAC device isn't being used as much as you'd like
✔ You're looking for practical strategies that fit into everyday routines
✔ You have questions about AAC that haven't been fully answered
✔ You want additional support alongside your child's speech therapy services
What to Expect
Each coaching session is individualized to meet your family's needs and goals.
Sessions may include:
Sessions may include:
- Identifying your current challenges and priorities
- Learning one practical AAC strategy at a time
- Problem solving common AAC challenges
- Developing strategies for everyday routines
- Guided coaching and feedback
- Creating an individualized action plan to practice between sessions
Common Coaching Topics
Every family has different questions and goals. Coaching sessions are individualized and may include topics such as:
• Getting started with AAC
• Understanding aided language input
• Modeling AAC naturally during everyday routines
• Supporting communication during play
• Using AAC during meals
• Reading books with AAC
• Expanding communication beyond requesting
• Supporting siblings and other family members
• Increasing confidence using AAC
• Device navigation and everyday use
• School and home collaboration
• Getting started with AAC
• Understanding aided language input
• Modeling AAC naturally during everyday routines
• Supporting communication during play
• Using AAC during meals
• Reading books with AAC
• Expanding communication beyond requesting
• Supporting siblings and other family members
• Increasing confidence using AAC
• Device navigation and everyday use
• School and home collaboration
FAQs
Will AAC stop my child from talking?
Research has consistently shown that AAC does not prevent speech development. For many children, AAC supports communication while spoken language continues to develop.
Is AAC Coaching the same as speech therapy?
No. AAC Coaching is a caregiver-focused service. The goal is to support communication partners by providing education, coaching, and practical strategies that can be used throughout daily routines.
Does my child need to attend the coaching session?
Not necessarily. Some coaching sessions are most effective with caregivers only, while others may benefit from having the child present for observation or natural interaction. Together, we'll determine the best format based on your goals for each session.
How many coaching sessions will we need?
Every family is different. Some families benefit from one or two sessions to answer specific questions, while others prefer ongoing coaching as they build confidence using AAC.
Can AAC Coaching be used along with my child's speech therapy?
Yes. AAC Coaching is designed to complement not replace your child's speech therapy services by helping communication partners carry strategies into everyday life.
Will you help me program the device?
AAC Coaching focuses on helping communication partners confidently use AAC in everyday life rather than programming the device. If a simple edit or adjustment would support the strategy we're working on, I'm happy to guide you through it. More extensive programming is not part of AAC Coaching.
Research has consistently shown that AAC does not prevent speech development. For many children, AAC supports communication while spoken language continues to develop.
Is AAC Coaching the same as speech therapy?
No. AAC Coaching is a caregiver-focused service. The goal is to support communication partners by providing education, coaching, and practical strategies that can be used throughout daily routines.
Does my child need to attend the coaching session?
Not necessarily. Some coaching sessions are most effective with caregivers only, while others may benefit from having the child present for observation or natural interaction. Together, we'll determine the best format based on your goals for each session.
How many coaching sessions will we need?
Every family is different. Some families benefit from one or two sessions to answer specific questions, while others prefer ongoing coaching as they build confidence using AAC.
Can AAC Coaching be used along with my child's speech therapy?
Yes. AAC Coaching is designed to complement not replace your child's speech therapy services by helping communication partners carry strategies into everyday life.
Will you help me program the device?
AAC Coaching focuses on helping communication partners confidently use AAC in everyday life rather than programming the device. If a simple edit or adjustment would support the strategy we're working on, I'm happy to guide you through it. More extensive programming is not part of AAC Coaching.
Pricing
Single Session
60-minute AAC Coaching Session
Early Bird: $150
Regular: $175
AAC Coaching Package (3 sessions)
60-minute AAC Coaching Session
Early Bird: $375
Regular: $450
* Package sessions must be used within 12 months of purchase. Unused sessions expire after 12 months.
60-minute AAC Coaching Session
Early Bird: $150
Regular: $175
AAC Coaching Package (3 sessions)
60-minute AAC Coaching Session
Early Bird: $375
Regular: $450
* Package sessions must be used within 12 months of purchase. Unused sessions expire after 12 months.
Can I use my HSA/FSA card for coaching?
Whether an HSA/FSA card can be used depends on your individual plan. We cannot determine eligibility. Please check with your plan administrator.
Whether an HSA/FSA card can be used depends on your individual plan. We cannot determine eligibility. Please check with your plan administrator.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're just beginning your AAC journey or looking for additional support along the way, AAC Coaching can help you build confidence and develop practical strategies that fit your family's daily routines.
I'd love to partner with you to help make AAC feel more approachable, meaningful, and achievable.
Contact us to learn more or schedule your first AAC Coaching session.
I'd love to partner with you to help make AAC feel more approachable, meaningful, and achievable.
Contact us to learn more or schedule your first AAC Coaching session.
AAC NEWSLETTER
Stay up to date with practical AAC tips, everyday communication strategies, helpful resources, local AAC news and events, and updates about AAC Coaching. Whether you're just getting started or looking to build confidence, you'll receive information designed to support communication partners in everyday life.
Sent just 1-2 times per quarter
Sent just 1-2 times per quarter
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Our Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am - 7:00pm Friday and Saturday: Available on limited basis Sunday: Closed Session times are scheduled by appointment. Availability is limited and varies by clinician. Our schedule is expanding and additional daytime and evening availability is anticipated. Please call to inquire about current availability or to join our waitlist. |
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Phone: (909) POP N HOP | (909)767-6467
12189 7th Street Suite 3, Yucaipa, CA 92399
12189 7th Street Suite 3, Yucaipa, CA 92399