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Sparking Speech

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Sparking Speech

Aoife Tierney - Senior Speech & Language Therapist
Paediatric SLT - Neurodiversity Affirming

13/03/2026

Grid size has more of an impact on long term AAC success than you might think.

When we say “AAC success” we mean the goal of a child, teenager or adult being able to say whatever they want, to whoever they want, whenever they want to say it.

Giving them access to robust, reliable communication helps them to achieve this.

That’s where grid sizes come in.

Starting with a smaller grid size may seem like a good idea, but it makes communication harder.

With a small grid size, your child has to navigate through multiple pages to find the words they need.

And switching to larger grid sizes at a later stage can impact motor planning.

A larger grid size gives them access to:
✅ Robust, reliable communication from the start.
✅ Room to grow alongside their device.

By keeping the end goal in mind, AAC users are set up for long term communication support and success from the start.

04/03/2026

Has anyone ever spoken about you as if you weren’t there?

Having other people talk about you, your behaviour and your regulation without asking for your input or involving you is so frustrating and upsetting.

You wouldn’t do it to another adult.

So why do people think it’s ok to do this with a child?

This happens a lot for children who are non-speaking or minimally speaking.

And it can have a lasting impact on their regulation, self-worth and sense of belonging.

If you’re talking about a child, include them in the conversation so they feel part of the conversation.

Talk to them, not about them.

Even if they’re non-speaking, they can use their AAC device or communicate with you non-verbally.

It’s so important to remember the difference it makes for a child when they feel valued and part of their classroom, family and community.

✨ This builds their confidence to communicate more.
✨ Their sense of belonging as they’re being included.
✨ And it helps them to feel like they truly matter.

Let's normalise including children in conversations about them.

Follow along for more AAC advocacy and guidance.

02/03/2026

What’s happening inside The AAC Advocates this month?

With St.Patrick’s Day coming up, members have access to a brand new communication board dedicated to the day. ☘️

This board gives children access to the vocabulary they need to join in with the festivities.

I’m also hosting an additional live Q&A call for members, all about GLP & AAC.

Along with our members' Q&A and power hour editing calls, members will have a chance to ask their GLP questions for live, personalised, evidence based support.

Plus they get continued access to:
✅ My self-paced, AAC modelling parent course.
✅ A growing library of AAC Masterclasses & paper-based AAC resources
✅ Full library of How-To video guides for various AAC devices
✅ Private WhatsApp community to connect with other parents and carers.

The AAC Advocates is a community for parents and carers to receive the support, guidance and accountability they so deserve.

If you’ve been thinking about joining, keep your eyes on our socials!

🔗 Join our waitlist through the link in bio and you’ll be the first to find out when doors reopen..

📧 Or DM “AAC” for your direct sign up link.

27/02/2026

One thing parents and carers need more of is community. 👇

Somewhere to share their experiences, ask for help when they need and feel heard without having to explain themselves.

That’s the aim of the private WhatsApp community group inside The AAC Advocates.

This month, parents and carers have been sharing:
🌟 Daily support and encouragement with each other.
🌟 Accountability as they receive daily AAC personalisation prompts.
🌟 Updates and wins that are happening at home.
🌟 Insights and advice about what they’re trying.

It’s a warm, welcoming community where everyone is welcome.

The AAC journey can feel isolating at times, especially as you try to get to grips with technology and becoming a communication partner.

Inside the AAC Advocates, community is one of our most important values.

If you’d like the support, encouragement and accountability you deserve.

DM “AAC” for access to our waitlist and be the first to find out when our doors reopen soon. 👀

20/02/2026

What can we use if we’re no longer using PECS?

Each child deserves access to a robust communication system.

One that respects them and supports them as they develop their communication.

That can be high-tech, paper based or ideally a combination of both.

The key is choosing a system that:
✅ Respects bodily autonomy
✅ Offers robust communication
✅ Allows communication for multiple reasons
✅ Supports the way your child learns language

The goal is to find a system that supports a total communication approach.

And encourages your child’s individual way of learning and communication.

19/02/2026

A look inside The AAC Advocates' monthly call. 👇

Each month, members are invited to a live Q&A call where they can ask questions, share experiences and receive personalised guidance.

This month we covered:
🌟 Creating custom grid sets on TD Snap.
🌟 Incorporating interests into their child’s AAC device.
🌟 A new protest phrase being used.
🌟 Saving pagesets and copy/paste buttons.
🌟 Organising topics pages.

Some of these are quick questions parents and carers could wait months for answers to.

Or would struggle to search for reliable advice online.

The live monthly calls inside The AAC Advocates hub mean they don’t have to.

They get live, personalised guidance and evidence-based answers.

So they can continue to build confidence and support their child's AAC use.

Doors to The AAC Advocates are now closed.

But you can join our waitlist to be the first to find out when they reopen.

👉 Click the link in bio or DM “AAC” for your waitlist link.

17/02/2026

Have you seen our latest Bjorem Speech products?

If you’re supporting a client with lateralization and wondering where to start…

The Lateral/Frontal Lisp Cues and Targets Deck
And the Lateral/Frontal Lisp Playing Cards are the perfect pair.

Now available at The Sparking Speech Shop.

👉 DM “Lateral” for the link to the products.

🌐 Or visit www.sparkingspeech.com/shop for the full range of products.

13/02/2026

What is the AAC Reset Challenge? 👇

Last week, I held a free 5 day AAC Reset Challenge for parents and carers.

They were given the chance to:
✨ Edit their child’s AAC device
✨ Add personalisation
✨ Bring more joy to their AAC use

All with the support and accountability they needed.

The challenge continues inside The AAC Advocates for the rest of this month.

Members will get different daily challenges to help them on their AAC journey.

Plus ongoing access to:
🌟 AAC masterclasses
🌟 2 live calls a month
🌟 Private WhatsApp group
🌟 Library of how-to video guides
🌟 Downloadable AAC resources and handouts
🌟 Ongoing specialist AAC support

If you’ve been thinking about joining the AAC Advocates, this is your chance.

Doors close at midnight tonight! ⏰

DM “AAC” or click the link in bio to secure your membership.

🚨 And don’t forget, you can claim back on your health insurance each month.

12/02/2026

“The AAC Advocates has been essential to our AAC journey.”

One parent shared these kind words about her experience as a member of the AAC Advocates.

Before joining, she was trying to find the right support and resources to become a communication partner for her son.

But ended up navigating the journey on their own.

When she joined the AAC Advocates, that all changed as she found the specialist support she was looking for.

Now she says, “It has strengthened my skills and fluency as my son’s AAC partner.” ✨

This is the main goal behind the AAC Advocates.

To give parents and carers access to training, resources, support and ongoing evidence-based guidance.

If you’ve been searching for specialist AAC support, the AAC Advocates is for you.

Join us before doors close on February 13th.

👉 And don’t forget you can claim your membership against your health insurance each month.

🔗 Click the link in bio to secure your place.
📩 Or DM “AAC” for your direct sign up link.

06/02/2026

The AAC Advocates has grown!

Each month, members get access to more:
🌟 Live monthly calls
🌟 AAC masterclasses
🌟 Practical communication boards
🌟 Downloadable handouts
🌟 How-to video guides
🌟 Personalised feedback and support

Plus, our private WhatsApp group for daily support and connection.

Everything parents and carers need to start feeling more confident in supporting their child with AAC use.

👉 And don’t forget you can claim your membership against your health insurance each month.

🔗 Click the link in bio to secure your place.
📩 Or DM “AAC” for your direct sign up link.

05/02/2026

⭐ Now accepting new members! ⭐

Doors to The AAC Advocates are open today for one week only.

If you’re looking for ongoing, specialist AAC support, this online community hub is for you.

Perfect for parents and carers of children and teenagers using AAC.

When you join the monthly membership, you get access to:

✅ Specialist AAC parent modelling course.
✅ Regular AAC masterclasses to build your knowledge.
✅ Live Q&A call every month to get personalised feedback.
✅ Live editing call to customise your child’s AAC device.
✅ Library of how-to videos for each AAC system.
✅ Growing library of resources and communication boards
✅ Accountability to put what you learn into practice.
✅ Daily support from our private community group.

You don’t need to navigate AAC alone anymore.

Join today for instant access to specialist support, practical resources and a community of parents and carers who understand your journey.

Doors are now open for one week only! ⏰️

Click the link in bio to secure your place before February 13th.

Or DM “AAC” for your sign up link.

Address

Eblana House, 11 Eblana Avenue
Dublin
A96N7F2

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/sparkingspeech

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