#196: Stop Quizzing, Start Modeling: AAC Without the Pressure

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#196: Stop Quizzing, Start Modeling: AAC Without the Pressure

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What color is it? Where's the dog? Show me red. Tell me with your talker. If you support AAC users, you might be really good at quiz mode. I know I was. As an SLP, I was trained to elicit responses. I wanted repetitions. I wanted data. I wanted to know: can they do it? And here's the tricky part: quiz mode feels like teaching. We're trying to help. But communication isn't supposed to feel like a test all day. This is part 3 of our AAC Month series. Last week, in Episode 195 [CONFIRM URL], we talked about why children don't need to prove they're "ready" for AAC. When I asked where you get stuck, more than one in four of you said the same thing: what do I do when I model and the child does absolutely nothing? That's what this episode is about. I'm sharing what modeling without expectation really looks like, why silence doesn't necessarily mean nothing is happening, and what to do in that quiet moment instead of asking again. You'll also hear two clips from my friend Rachel Madel, SLP, whose phrase "inspire, don't require" sums up this whole conversation. Because we're teaching language. We're not administering a test. In This Episode, You'll Learn What modeling without expectation looks like in everyday play, like a car going down a ramp Why "quiz mode" feels like teaching but can make communication harder What it's like to learn a new language while someone keeps asking, "What's this?" Why silence doesn't necessarily mean nothing is happening How heavy prompting can teach children to wait to be asked instead of starting communication themselves Why prompting isn't "bad," and the question to ask about what yours is teaching How to turn questions into comments What to do when you model and the child still doesn't respond Key Takeaways Quiz mode feels like teaching, but it adds pressure. Questions and directives like "Show me red" and "Tell me with your talker" can turn communication into a test. Modeling without expectation means modeling and moving on. The car goes down the ramp, you say and touch GO, and you keep playing. No "Your turn" or "Show me go." Silence doesn't mean nothing is happening. A child may be processing what you said, managing sensory input, or finding a word on their device. Model, then pause, without filling the wait with more questions. Heavy prompting can teach children to wait. Rachel Madel explains how a compliance-driven approach can teach kids to be responders instead of initiators. Prompting isn't bad. It can be a helpful scaffold. The question is what it's teaching: dependence on the adult, or growing independence. Questions can become comments. "Whoa... RED!" instead of "What color is it?" "Mmm... MORE" instead of "Do you want more?" Follow what matters to the child. Rachel shares how she noticed her student had turned to his lunchbox and modeled OPEN instead of sticking to her plan. Every model has value. If the child doesn't respond, that's okay. They still saw and heard language used by an adult who wasn't demanding anything back. Try This For ten minutes, listen to yourself and notice how many questions and directives you give. Pick one and turn it into a comment, modeling the word as you say it. After you model, pause. Give space, not a stare. If the child is focused on something else, model a word for what they care about. Choose one routine this week (play, snack, getting dressed, or circle time). Every time you're about to ask a child to show you something, ask yourself, "Could I model this instead?" Resources & Links AAC Month Series: This is part 3. Start with Episode 195: Stop Making Kids Prove They're "Ready" for AAC [CONFIRM URL]. More from Rachel Madel: Listen to Episode 91: AAC & Modeling Without Expectation With Rachel Madel. Find Rachel at [LINK: Rachel's website]. Too many questions? Episode 178: What If Too Many Questions Are Quieting Your AAC Learners? goes deeper. Keep Learning: Read the companion blog post, Modeling AAC Without Expectation in the Classroom. Free Guide: Get the 3 Simple AAC Shifts for three easy changes you can try in tomorrow's routines. Next Week: We'll go beyond "I want": why AAC isn't a success just because a child can request Goldfish, and a family who celebrates when their daughter says NO.

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