There are multiple ways to communicate that don’t require digital devices, power, or technical support. These lite-tech options are portable, accessible, and can be used either as your primary or backup communication method.
It is important to learn about these options and begin practicing them before you really need them. Work with your caregiver and speech language pathologist to develop systems that work best for you, and be ready to make adjustments when things change.
It is important to learn about these options and begin practicing them before you really need them. Work with your caregiver and speech language pathologist to develop systems that work best for you, and be ready to make adjustments when things change.
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A communication board, sometimes called an alphabet board, is an essential tool that can be helpful at any stage of the disease. Communication boards are physical charts with letters, words, phrases, symbols, and pictures. Depending on your physical ability, you can point, nod, gesture, or blink to convey messages to your caregiver or anyone else holding the board.
Once you practice and develop a system, your communication board can be very helpful on a daily basis. Even if you have a speech-generating device, you may still need to use your manual communication board in certain situations, such as if the power goes out or your battery loses its charge. You might also need to use your communication board during transfers, when bathing, or if you are having trouble using your speech-generating device when in bright sunlight.
You can download existing communication boards below or make your own customized boards or flip books.
Once you practice and develop a system, your communication board can be very helpful on a daily basis. Even if you have a speech-generating device, you may still need to use your manual communication board in certain situations, such as if the power goes out or your battery loses its charge. You might also need to use your communication board during transfers, when bathing, or if you are having trouble using your speech-generating device when in bright sunlight.
You can download existing communication boards below or make your own customized boards or flip books.
Free Resources and Education
Bridging Voice, a nonprofit organization specializing in AAC support for people living with ALS, offers free communication boards in English and Spanish. You can download and print these boards and watch an instructional video on their Manual Communication Boards page.
The Jay S. Fishman ALS Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s Hospital has a downloadable AEIOU Communication Book and two-sided AEIOU Board along with a tutorial video on how to use partner-assisted scanning with an AEIOU communication book. You can also find tutorial videos on partner-assisted spelling and creating your own customized flip book.
The Jay S. Fishman ALS Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s Hospital has a downloadable AEIOU Communication Book and two-sided AEIOU Board along with a tutorial video on how to use partner-assisted scanning with an AEIOU communication book. You can also find tutorial videos on partner-assisted spelling and creating your own customized flip book.
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If you can write but not speak, you can communicate by writing messages on paper, a dry erase board, or a boogie board.
If you are finding it difficult or tiring to project your voice, or if people are having trouble hearing you, a voice amplifier can make your voice louder in person, over the phone, or on video calls. Using a voice amplifier can also help preserve your voice over the course of the day. It can be especially helpful when you’re feeling fatigued. Learn more about voice amplification. Ask your speech language pathologist which lite-tech communication options might be most helpful for you. |
Boogie Board
Voice Amplifier
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