In celebration of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Device Awareness Month, Leander ISD partnered with the Cedar Park Public Library and the University of Texas at Austin to host a series of AAC Storytime sessions, interactive events where students and families explored books, crafts, and sensory activities using AAC devices.
The storytime sessions were led by speech language pathology graduate students from UT Austin, who guided children and families through the activities while modeling effective AAC communication.
The idea for these collaborative sessions began when Cici Fritts, Leander ISD’s assistive technology facilitator, attended a presentation showcasing a similar program. Inspired, she worked with the new Cedar Park Public Library and higher education partners, including UT Austin and Texas State University, to bring the concept to life in Leander ISD. The result was a unique opportunity for families to engage in literacy-rich activities while university students gained hands-on experience in parent coaching for AAC.
“Research tells us that over 90% of students who use AAC nationwide leave high school without full literacy skills,” Fritts said. “Our goal with these sessions is to create an environment where AAC is explored, celebrated, and encouraged to leave families empowered to guide their students on a path toward literacy.”
The AAC Storytime initiative is just one of the many ways Leander ISD supports families of students who use communication devices. Through programs like these, the district aims to foster a love of reading, build language skills, and strengthen the connection between home and school through shared learning experiences.
Future AAC Storytime sessions can be found at the City of Cedar Park Public Library website. Learn more about Leander ISD’s AAC Coaching for Families here.
