Study Day recap: Exploring Gaming, Music and the Arts in Communication
The AAC SIG Gaming, Music and Arts Study Day brought together clinicians, researchers, educators, assistive technology specialists and AAC users for an engaging exploration of how gaming, music, art and creative technologies can support communication for AAC users. With a strong emphasis on inclusion, creativity and real-world application, the day highlighted how meaningful activities can be powerful vehicles for expression, identity and connection.
A Creative Lens on Communication
The day opened with a clear message: we need engaging, motivating activities to communicate about and through. Whether it’s playing games, making music, coding, or creating art, these activities provide authentic opportunities for AAC users to participate, interact and express themselves in ways that feel meaningful.
Across sessions, a recurring theme was that communication is not just about language output—it is about participation, agency and identity.
Gaming: Inclusion, Identity and Skill Development
A significant focus of the study day was accessible gaming. Speakers highlighted how gaming is more than entertainment—it is:
A key part of identity and social connection
A space to develop problem-solving, resilience and communication skills
A vital route to inclusion, especially for individuals who may face barriers to other social activities
Practical examples demonstrated how adaptive equipment—such as switch access, eye gaze control and accessible controllers—can open up gaming experiences. Case studies showed how personalised setups can enable people with a wide range of physical and cognitive needs to play games independently or collaboratively.
Importantly, presenters challenged common misconceptions:
Gaming is not just for children
It is not inherently too complex
With the right support, it can be integrated into therapy, education and daily life
Building Skills Through Play
A standout session explored switch access through the “Switch Heroes” framework from Luke Thompson, outlining a developmental pathway from simple cause-and-effect to independent use.
The key takeaway was that skills are not built through repetition alone, but through:
Play
Motivation
Meaningful interaction
Simple, creative game ideas—ranging from sensory activities to group games—demonstrated how clinicians and educators can embed skill development into enjoyable experiences.
Creative Arts: Expression Beyond Words
The study day also explored how creative arts, particularly within projects supporting people with conditions such as MND, can:
Preserve identity and personal voice
Support mental wellbeing
Enable self-expression beyond functional communication
Through examples like digital storytelling, photography and immersive virtual environments, Will Wade highlighted how technology can act as a medium for creativity, not just compensation for impairment.
A key theme here was autonomy: The goal is not just to help someone communicate basic needs, but to enable them to create, express and share their inner world.
Coding and Digital Creativity
Kirsty McNaught’s session on coding brought a fresh perspective, positioning programming not just as a technical skill, but as a way to develop:
Problem-solving and sequencing skills
Independence and confidence
A sense of being a creator, not just a user of technology
She explored both the challenges and opportunities of making coding accessible for AAC users, particularly for those using eye gaze, switches or grid-based access. New approaches—such as simplified, scaffolded interfaces—demonstrated how barriers can be reduced.
Key Themes Across the Day
Several themes emerged consistently throughout the sessions:
1. Motivation Drives Learning
Engaging activities like games and creative projects are essential for building communication and access skills.
2. Accessibility Must Be Built In
Technology should be designed with users in mind from the outset, not adapted as an afterthought.
3. Identity and Agency Matter
Gaming, art and music allow individuals to be seen as more than their diagnosis, supporting roles such as gamer, artist, creator or collaborator.
4. Collaboration is Essential
Successful outcomes rely on input from users, families, therapists, educators and developers.
5. Start Simple, Then Build
Whether in gaming, switch access or coding, starting with accessible, motivating entry points is key to long-term success.
Looking Ahead
The AAC SIG Study Day showcased a field that is evolving rapidly, with increasing innovation in assistive technology and a growing recognition of the importance of creativity in communication.
From accessible gaming setups to inclusive coding tools and co-creative arts projects, the message was clear:
when we prioritise access, creativity and user voice, we unlock new possibilities for communication and participation.