These AAC Nonverbal Keychains are designed with nonverbal teens and young adults in mind. Both versions are vastly identical but have one key variation beyond slight variations in size and orientation on clip.
- Version 1: "I am autistic & currently nonverbal."
- Version 2: "I'm currently nonverbal. This keychain helps me communicate."
As an adult autistic who sometimes goes nonverbal I needed something to help me communicate. Here are the features of the keychain:
Side A
- Version 1 or Version 2 statement from above.
- Need/Want boxes
- List of items one might need or want: Anxiety Meds, Pain Meds, Hug/Weight, Quiet, Music, Phone, Journal, Food, Ear Plugs, Other
- "Support Steps: 1. Breathe ABCs 2. Stim 3. Create 4. Text Supports"
Side B
- Yes (green box) IDK (yellow box) No (red Box)
- Scale of 1-6 1= okay; 6= Bad
- Can be used to identify how sever anxiety, hunger, pain, or feelings of overwhelm are.
- Identify if user is dealing with Anxiety; Hungry; Overwhelmed; Pain.
- Identify situation issues "Too Bright" "Too Loud" or "Headphone"
If you would like a simpler version which communicated basic needs please check out my Basic AAC Communication Keychain.
While these are tailored to my own needs and I hope they can help others, I am happy to work with you on a custom version for your/your loved one's needs.
Breathe ABCs
In reality, this references a deep breathing practice where you work your way through the alphabet saying (or thinking) a letter of the alphabet on an inhale, and a word on the exhale. I usually use the word "Calm". If you get distracted, go back to the last letter you remember and start from there. Repeat as many times as you need to.
