About This Video

In this informational AAC video, speech language pathologist Becca Eisenberg demonstrates how to set up communication supports before going to an ice cream shop.

Becca explains that planning ahead can make an ice cream shop outing easier. Before going, caregivers and participants can review the vocabulary they may need, look at the ice cream shop’s website, check available flavors, and make sure helpful words are available on a communication board or AAC device.

The video shows examples of preparing ice cream-related language, including using a downloadable communication board, reviewing symbols ahead of time, creating an ice cream page on a device, adding flavor choices, and using other words to describe what someone wants if the exact flavor is not already programmed.

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 an ice cream shop.

• Adults with IDD who are practicing ice cream shop routines, choosing flavors, ordering dessert, or communicating in public places.

• 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 an ice cream shop 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 ice cream, flavors, toppings, cup, cone, small, medium, large, eat, want, yes, no, please, 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 a local ice cream shop menu, talk through possible flavors, review a communication board, 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, waiting, sensory input, food preferences, 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.