Facial expression and body language
Also called Non-verbal communication, Body language, Affect, Facial affect
Reading and being read. When the face doesn't do what the person means, both sides of the conversation need to know it.
Somebody hands you a leaflet that says AAC. A review mentions partner-assisted scanning. A ward asks whether your dad has a communication passport. Everyone else in the room seems to know what these words mean, and asking feels like admitting you're behind. You aren't. This library explains each one plainly: what it is, who it helps, how it works, and what you can do about it this week. Search by the word you heard.
Please note: This page is general information about communication and the ways people are supported to communicate. It is not an assessment, a diagnosis or speech and language therapy, and it does not know the person you have in mind. If you are worried about someone's speech, language or communication, ask a GP, a health visitor or a speech and language therapist. In an emergency, call 999; if you cannot speak, Relay UK on 18000 or the emergencySMS service reach the same operators.
10 topics filed under F.
Also called Non-verbal communication, Body language, Affect, Facial affect
Reading and being read. When the face doesn't do what the person means, both sides of the conversation need to know it.
Also called Worship and AAC, Religious inclusion, Community life and communication
Prayers, hymns, festivals and the club on a Thursday. Taking part in worship and community life with a communication difference.
Also called Emotion words, Emotional vocabulary, Feelings board
Words for emotions beyond happy and sad, why a person needs them before a crisis rather than during one, and how to teach them without a lesson.
Also called Finger spelling, Manual alphabet, BSL alphabet, Dactylology
Spelling a word letter by letter on the hands, using the two-handed British alphabet that anyone can learn in an afternoon.
Also called First word, Early words, Emerging language
What they usually are, when they usually come, and the point at which it is reasonable to ask for help rather than wait and see.
Also called Child-led interaction, Following the child's lead, Responsive interaction, OWL: observe, wait, listen
Talk about what the person is already looking at. It sounds obvious. Most adults do the opposite all day.
Also called Mealtime vocabulary, Food set, Eating and drinking words
Choosing what to eat is the first thing most boards teach. Saying that it is wrong, too hot, too much or making you feel sick is the part that gets forgotten.
Also called Peer relationships and AAC, Making friends
Friendship runs on quick, unimportant talk. Here is how to make and keep friends when every sentence is slow.
Also called Fringe words, Extended vocabulary, Topic vocabulary
The specific words core cannot supply: names, places, foods, interests. The part of the vocabulary that makes it this person's.
Also called AAC funding, Paying for a communication device, Communication aid grants
The NHS, the education system, social care and charities can each pay for a communication aid. Which one depends on who needs it and why.
Fiducia Talk is a complete talking board: 308 symbol cards, a phonics keyboard and a big-key keyboard, speaking in your device's own voice. No account, no subscription, and nothing you say leaves your device.
Open the boardAccessibility toolkit
Done