4 June 2026 | Personalised for Nat's context

What we're actually trying to solve

Would short videos that Nat makes herself help Fletcher build familiarity with Proloquo symbols, navigation, and AAC communication — in a PDA-friendly, zero-demand way? And what would actually be worth filming? The short answer: yes, this is one of the most evidence-supported strategies available, and it fits his existing relationship with video screens perfectly.

Why video specifically works here

• Video modelling is well-researched for autistic children, including for AAC learning. Key finding: autistic children often attend to video screens more readily than live instruction, and the passive/on-demand nature removes the pressure of a person watching and waiting.
• TikTok is already his medium. He already uses video as comfort and interest. A short video feels like the thing he already chooses — not a lesson.
• GLP and video are a natural fit. Gestalt language processors are major video learners. His brain is already collecting gestalt chunks from what he watches. If he sees a video of Nat pressing "squeezes" in Proloquo and then squeezes happening, that's a complete, emotionally resonant chunk: symbol → press → outcome. That's the exact structure his brain absorbs.
• No demand. He controls when he watches, whether he watches, how many times. There's no person waiting for a response.

A few different approaches

1. Screen recording walkthroughs (lowest effort to make)

Short screen recordings of Proloquo — opening the app, pressing a key word, pressing home. Nat narrates declaratively or says nothing. No face required. Easiest to make, and the visual matches exactly what he sees when he uses the device.

2. Real-life moment videos with symbol overlay

Short clips of actual daily moments — squeezes happening, food being made — with the Proloquo symbol appearing on screen as it happens. Symbol → moment = rich encoded pairing. Slightly more effort to make but more emotionally resonant.

3. "I want ___" communication model clips

Nat on screen pressing "I want [something]" in Proloquo and then getting it. Simple cause-and-effect loop. Deeply powerful for gestalt processors: this is a complete communication template, shown in action. He watches someone communicate and get a result.

4. Video self-modelling (advanced — save for later)

If he can ever be filmed using Proloquo — even just the "squeezes" moment — and that clip played back to him, VSM research shows autistic children are particularly responsive to watching themselves as competent communicators. Not a starting point, but a significant option once he's more comfortable with the device.