How I Do It: Pocket Flipbooks for Adults & Teens

There is no doubt that adults with complex communication needs are an underserved population, something that is on our minds a lot during June, which is Aphasia Awareness Month. We feel fortunate to have a guest post today from Ohio-based SLP Katherine Dally, who works both as an AT consultant for an educational service center and as a home health SLP serving adults with neurological conditions. Katherine has served as the SLP on an ALS clinic focusing AAC evaluations, the use of voice banking, and no-tech/low tech communication.

In today’s post, she provides some wonderful ideas for using activity-specific communication books with adults and teenagers and shares her templates for you to download.

Pocket Mini-Communication Flipbooks

Need a low-tech idea that’s pocket-sized and accessible everywhere for adults? Take a look at these pocket mini-communication flip books. These flip books were originally created for clients with a diagnosis of ALS to take on the go to improve communication and maintain independence. They are helpful to express how the person with the impairment communicates, and how to best communicate with them.

Check out these powerful example phrases in the flip books:

·       I understand everything you are saying.

·       Asking me yes/no questions.

·       Let me get my whiteboard or phone to answer your question.

·       Give me time.

·       Please don’t finish my speech.

Additionally, SLPs can add their name, address, date of birth, and any other personal information routinely requested.

Examples for when clients use their personal information include:  

• Checking-in at doctors’ appointments
• Medication from the pharmacy
• Reserving library books
• Picking up dry cleaning or food orders

Thinking beyond adults

These pocket mini-communication flipbooks have been beneficial in the high school population too. Do you have high school students completing a work-study program or traveling outside the classroom on community trips? These mini-communication flip books are great for high schoolers to increase independence and understanding for communication in the community with unfamiliar communication partners. Some of the keyrings are large enough to fit on device handles or on the lanyards of the device.

Why have they been popular among clients and students?

 The pocket mini-communication flip books are:

·       Small, pocket size and easy to take on the go.

·       Great for adults who need help in noisy or loud environments. 

·       Personalized for any situation and low-cost to create.

·       Small and easily hidden for adults with vanity. (not sure how this comes across? ) 

·       Helpful for preparation and planning for a high-tech device.

·       Helpful for those without a smartphone or resistance to a high-tech device.

The best part? They are low-cost and easy to create. Add symbols, actual photographs or just have written text. Print, laminate and add a key ring. They fit perfectly in pants or shirt pockets.

Check out these examples from the “How to Communicate with Me” flip book, with and without symbols. Additionally, download the blank template today. Follow this post for a three-part series to learn other ways these pocket, mini-communication flipbooks have been implemented in the adult population. You won’t want to miss out on this creativity and fun!

These were created on Boardmakeronline. You can get the blank template here at https://boardmakeronline.com/Activity/24680991

You can download this specific pocket flipbook (with and without symbols) here.

Stay tuned for more flipbooks in Part 2 in this series.

About the Guest Blogger

Katherine Dally, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP, has served as the SLP on an ALS clinic focusing AAC evaluations, voice banking and no-tech/low tech communication. She then worked for Tobii Dynavox as a solutions consultant, traveling the West side of Ohio. Currently, she works as an assistive technology consultant through an educational service center, practices in adult neuro home health and presents at local and state conferences. You can follow her on Instagram (@AACforAdults) and visit her online store teacherspayteachers.com/store/aac-for-adults).