Voice First Co.

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Voice First Co. Communication programs for kids, teens & adults. Building confidence, connection & genuine friendships.

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about communication?Maybe it’s the time you need to respond. Maybe it’s...
21/10/2026

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about communication?

Maybe it’s the time you need to respond. Maybe it’s how much you have to say beyond requests. Or that looking away doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t listening.

AAC users, families, support workers, educators and therapists: you’re welcome to add your perspective. Share only what you’re comfortable sharing, and speak from your own experience.

You can comment in words, with an emoji or in another way that works for you. There’s no expectation to share personal or identifying details.

Add your thought below, or share this post to open the conversation in your community.

18/10/2026

A game can start to feel like a quiz when every turn comes with another question.

“What colour is it?” “What’s this?” “Can you say ‘block’?”

Try sharing what you notice instead: “That tower is wobbly!” Model a useful word such as “fall” on your own AAC system, then pause.

Give the person space to comment, laugh, disagree, use AAC, gesture, sign or simply watch. Respond to what they communicate, without requiring them to repeat it in another way.

Questions have a place in conversation. The aim is to make room for shared ideas, rather than repeatedly checking what someone knows. Ask permission before touching someone else’s device.

Save this idea and try it during something you both enjoy.

“They have an AAC device, so why aren’t they using it?”Having a device is a starting point. Communication also needs acc...
15/10/2026

“They have an AAC device, so why aren’t they using it?”

Having a device is a starting point. Communication also needs access, time, responsive partners and something the person wants to say.

Before adding more prompts, look at the situation:
• Is their AAC available and comfortable to access?
• Are we following something they care about?
• Are we modelling useful language, with permission if using their device?
• Are we leaving time without expecting a performance?
• Do we respond to speech, AAC, gesture, signing and eye gaze?

Try a natural comment during an activity you both enjoy. Model a useful word on your own system, pause and notice what happens. There is no requirement to copy you or respond immediately.

AAC use can vary with fatigue, sensory needs, access and the situation. It isn’t a measure of someone’s effort or understanding. Persistent access difficulties are worth discussing with the person and their AAC team.

Save this for your next everyday conversation or share it with a communication partner.

A place for real communication, growing confidence and genuine connection.A place where young people can find 'their peo...
14/10/2026

A place for real communication, growing confidence and genuine connection.

A place where young people can find 'their people' — and where friendships have the chance to grow beyond the group.

We’re just getting started.

Want to be part of this?

Get in touch or join the waitlist for upcoming Voice First groups. https://www.voicefirst.com.au/join-the-waitlist

Every voice. Every connection. Every opportunity.

Support workers are welcome at Voice First — and there’s a reason for that.A support worker often knows a young person i...
13/10/2026

Support workers are welcome at Voice First — and there’s a reason for that.
A support worker often knows a young person incredibly well.
They may know how they communicate when they’re excited, overwhelmed, unsure or just being funny. They know what support helps, when to step in — and when to give them a little more time.
We don’t want to take that support away when someone comes to a Voice First group.
During a session, the Communication Coach leads the group program, creates communication opportunities and models language across the activities.
The participant’s support worker can continue providing the individual support they already know and trust — whether that’s assistance with personal care, sensory regulation, behaviour, accessing AAC or participating in an activity.
But there’s another important reason we welcome support workers.
It’s an opportunity to build their capacity too.
They can see communication strategies being modelled in real situations, learn more about the participant’s communication goals and take those ideas with them into everyday life.
Because the two-hour group is only a tiny part of someone’s week.
The real impact comes when communication is supported at home, in the community and everywhere else life happens.
It’s not about replacing the participant’s existing supports.
It’s about working together.
Every voice. Every connection. Every opportunity.

Communication tip: Don’t make them prove they can communicate.Imagine asking for something, being understood perfectly —...
12/10/2026

Communication tip: Don’t make them prove they can communicate.
Imagine asking for something, being understood perfectly — and then being told you need to ask again in a different way before you can have it.
For people who use AAC, this can happen a lot.
A child might point to the drink they want. A young person might look towards the door because they want to leave. Someone might gesture for more.
And we know exactly what they mean.
It can be tempting to respond with:
“Use your words.” “Tell me on your device.” “You need to ask properly.”

But communication has already happened.
Instead, we can acknowledge their message and model the language naturally.
If they gesture for more, you might say “More! You want more” while modelling MORE on their AAC — and then respond to their request.
No test. No requirement to copy you. No withholding something until they communicate in the way we want them to.
We’re still teaching language and modelling AAC.
We’re just doing it while showing them something equally important:
Your communication worked. I heard you. I understood you. 💛
All ways of communicating are valuable.
Every voice. Every connection. Every opportunity.

So, what actually happens at a Voice First group?Voice First isn’t about sitting around a table practising communication...
10/10/2026

So, what actually happens at a Voice First group?
Voice First isn’t about sitting around a table practising communication skills. It’s about creating real reasons to communicate. Each participant has their own individual communication goals, developed with their family and, where appropriate, the therapists already supporting them.

Then we work on those goals while doing things young people enjoy — playing games, cooking, creating something together, heading into the community, solving problems and simply spending time with other people.

That might mean practising how to:
💬 share an idea or opinion
🙋 ask for help
😂 tell a joke
🚫 disagree or say “no”
👋 start or join a conversation
🗣️ repair a communication breakdown
🤝 get to know someone new

And all ways of communicating are valued — speech, AAC, gesture, eye gaze, signing and more.

Is it therapy?
No. Voice First is education and capacity-building based, rather than therapy.
Our Communication Coaches come from education backgrounds and have experience supporting people with complex communication needs. We model communication, create opportunities to practise and support participants to build confidence using their communication in everyday life.
We also want those skills to extend beyond the group.
After each session, families receive an update about what we practised, what worked and ideas for continuing it at home and in the community.

More confidence. More connection. More opportunities to communicate with people who genuinely want to hear what you have to say. 💛
Every voice. Every connection. Every opportunity.

🎲 Your weekend communication activity is as simple as grabbing a game of UNO!Games are a great opportunity to model comm...
10/10/2026

🎲 Your weekend communication activity is as simple as grabbing a game of UNO!

Games are a great opportunity to model communication because there are already real reasons to communicate built into the activity.

And there’s so much more language available than just naming colours and numbers.

While you play, try modelling things like:

💬 My turn!
👉 Your turn!
🔄 Again!
🙅 I don’t want that.
👏 Good one!
😂 You’re cheating!

Think comments, opinions, humour, protesting, turn-taking, problem-solving and connecting with the other people playing.

You don’t need to stop the game and turn it into a communication lesson. Model the language naturally as it comes up and keep playing.

💡 Handy tip: If someone is still learning how to play, try putting everyone’s cards face up on the table. That way you can model the language and how the game works. They can see that everyone sometimes has to pick up, wait for a turn or not have a card they can play.

And if you’re modelling on AAC, search for the language first before adding anything new to someone’s device.

Want my printable UNO Communication Card to keep beside you while you play?

Comment “YES PLEASE” or “FREEBIE” below and I’ll message it to you. 💛

Every voice. Every connection. Every opportunity

What if they can’t find the word?AAC systems can contain thousands of words — so not knowing where a word is doesn’t mea...
08/10/2026

What if they can’t find the word?

AAC systems can contain thousands of words — so not knowing where a word is doesn’t mean someone can’t say it.
That’s where the search function can help. 🔎
Rather than always finding the word for someone, we can help AAC users learn how to search for vocabulary and navigate their own communication system.

If they’re looking for pizza, for example, we can show them how to search for it, follow the pathway and practise finding it again.
Over time, these skills can support greater independence and confidence when communicating in everyday situations.
💡 And an important reminder: It’s okay to model how to find a word but always ask before using someone else’s device.
Their AAC device isn’t just an iPad or piece of equipment.
It’s their voice. 💛

📥 Want a copy to keep or share?
I’ve made this AAC Search Guide a FREE download on the Voice First Co. website. It’s designed for families, educators and support workers and includes simple instructions for finding vocabulary in common AAC systems.
👉 Download it free from voicefirst.com.au

Every voice. Every connection. Every opportunity.

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