About This Video

In this informational AAC video, speech language pathologist Becca Eisenberg demonstrates how to set up communication supports before going to the movies.

Becca explains that planning ahead can make a movie theater outing easier. Before buying tickets, caregivers and participants can look up available movies, choose the movie and time, and make sure the needed vocabulary is available on a communication board or AAC device.

The video shows examples of preparing movie-related language, including the movie title, the word ticket, and snack size choices such as small, medium, and large. Becca also demonstrates how this information might be added to a communication board or communication app, depending on what the person uses.

This video gives caregivers, families, and support teams a practical example of how AAC preparation can support community access, choice-making, communication, and greater confidence before a familiar outing.

Good For

• Caregivers who want to prepare AAC supports before going to the movies.

• Adults with IDD who are practicing movie theater routines, choosing a movie, buying tickets, or ordering snacks.

• Families, support teams, and adult day programs learning how to plan community outings with communication access in mind.

• Participants who benefit from prepared vocabulary, visual supports, repeated practice, and extra time to communicate during community activities.

How to Use This Video

Use this video before a movie theater trip, community outing, or practice session about preparing AAC supports for a real-life activity.

Caregivers can watch this video before the outing to think through what vocabulary may be needed. This may include the movie title, ticket, adult ticket, popcorn, drink, small, medium, large, yes, no, thank you, and other words or phrases the person may want to use.

This video can also be used with participants to review choices ahead of time. Caregivers can pause the video, look up local movie options, talk through the schedule, and make sure the person’s communication board, book, or AAC device includes the words they may need.

Because community outings can involve money, choices, crowds, waiting, sensory input, and conversations with unfamiliar people, caregivers can provide support with planning, pacing, payment, safety, and communication access as needed.

Learn More

This video was created in collaboration with Becca Eisenberg of Life Skills 2 Learn. Becca also put together a helpful AAC resource list for Delight Station families, caregivers, and support teams. You can view it here: AAC Resources from Life Skills 2 Learn.