Core Word Board
25 useful words on one page, including I, want, more, go, stop, help, yes, and no. Combine words to ask, comment, refuse, and share ideas.
PDF · 1 page · A4 · Landscape · 190 kB
Free Printable Communication Boards
Simple paper boards to download, print, and keep close for when a screen will not do.
Free paper communication boards for home, school, and days out. No account or app needed. Choose a board below, open the PDF to see every page, or download a copy to keep.
First Words Board
A starting board for brand-new communicators: a small, motivating set of words and people, with room to grow into.
PDF · 5 pages · A4 · Portrait · 257 kB
People and Family Board
Mum, dad, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends, and teachers, with the words to say something about them.
PDF · 1 page · A4 · Landscape · 183 kB
Feelings Board
Words for feelings, plus pages for coping strategies, body sensations, and difficult situations. Includes ways to ask for help, a break, or quiet.
PDF · 5 pages · A4 · Landscape · 270 kB
Mealtime Board
Hungry, thirsty, full, yummy and yucky, with pages for food, drinks, utensils and meals. Made to laminate and keep by the table or in the lunch bag.
PDF · 5 pages · A4 · Landscape · 243 kB
Daily Routines Board
Getting dressed, bath time, brushing teeth, and bed. Picture support for the moments that repeat every single day.
PDF · 6 pages · A4 · Landscape · 248 kB
First/Then Board and Visual Schedule
A First/Then board, a five-step schedule, and 24 picture cards to cut out, including toilet, shoes, park, and all done, plus 6 blank cards. Each card fits every box, ready for Velcro dots.
PDF · 4 pages · A4 · Landscape · 207 kB
Play and Activities Board
My turn, your turn and don't like, with pages for toys, actions, friends, pretend play and outside.
PDF · 6 pages · A4 · Landscape · 265 kB
Print and keep close
Use A4 paper and the portrait or landscape orientation shown on each card. For US Letter, choose Fit to page. Print every page in a set, check that the words and pictures are easy to see and point to, then keep the pages together. Laminate if useful.
An arrow and number lead to another page in the same PDF. Click the cell on screen, or turn to that page in the printed set. Keep the full set together and return to page 1 for the main board.
Use it together
Point to a picture as you say the word during everyday activities. Give the person time to respond in their own way; they do not have to copy you. Keep a core board nearby when using topic pages so words such as help, stop, and no stay available.
Make your own board in the app
These are starting points. To match someone’s own words, photos, and layout, print their board from SpeakPad. Open Caregiver Mode, tap More, then Print Board. You can choose the orientation, include linked boards, and use larger text or black and white.
These PDFs use SpeakPad symbols. © SpeakPad. The boards are free to download and print.
Common questions
- Are these boards free?
- Yes. No account or app is needed. Choose Open PDF to view the full set in your browser, or Download PDF to save a copy. Open the PDF to print it.
- Do these boards work without the SpeakPad app?
- Yes. Each board is a standalone paper communication tool. Print it, laminate it, and use it anywhere, no device needed.
- What paper size should I use?
- The boards are formatted for A4. For US Letter, choose Scale to Fit Page in your printer settings and the layout adjusts automatically.
- Can any child use these boards?
- These are starting points, not a single layout that suits everyone. Choose words, pictures, cell sizes, and an access method that work for the person. A speech and language therapist can help adapt a board to their needs.
The boards your child builds, in their pocket
SpeakPad is a free, private, offline AAC app for iPhone and iPad. Build a board once, then print it, share it, or speak with it.
Download SpeakPad