Free communication board for autism
A 20-cell communication board for autism with the core words a child needs across a normal day: requesting, getting help, naming people, and sharing feelings, each in a fixed, color-coded spot.
- 20 words
- Free printable PDF
- Editable in browser
I want
More
Help
Stop
Go
Eat
Drink
Play
Yes
No
All done
Wait
Mom
Dad
My turn
Look
Happy
Sad
Mad
ToiletThis is the everyday communication board most families settle on. Twenty cells is enough room for the core words a child uses all day without becoming a wall of pictures.
The board adds people (mom, dad), a few more verbs (go, wait, look), and a third feeling on top of the beginner set, so your child can do more than request: they can direct attention, name who they want, and tell you how they feel.
Colors follow the Fitzgerald key, the standard AAC convention where each kind of word has its own color, so the layout stays familiar across boards and helps your child learn where words live.
When to use this board
Use this as your child's main board once a 12-cell beginner board feels too small. It carries enough vocabulary for a full day without crowding the page.
How to customize this board
- Replace a generic word with the exact name your child uses, like a sibling's name in a people cell.
- Keep the color of each word type the same when you edit, so the Fitzgerald layout stays consistent.
- Switch to black and white in the editor if your child reads a high-contrast board more easily.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a communication board for autism?
- A communication board is a single page of words and symbols in fixed positions that a nonspeaking or minimally speaking child points to in order to communicate. The fixed layout means the location of each word becomes a cue the child learns, which is why core boards keep the same arrangement every time.
- How many cells should a communication board have?
- Twenty cells suits most children as a main board: enough vocabulary for a full day of requesting, commenting, and naming people without overwhelming the page. Beginners can start at 12 and move up; children with more vocabulary can use 30.
- What is the Fitzgerald key coloring?
- The Fitzgerald key is the standard AAC convention of coloring words by type: people in one color, action words in another, describing words in another, and so on. Consistent colors help a child learn where each kind of word lives on the board.
- Can I use this board for a child who is not autistic?
- Yes. Core boards help any child who is nonspeaking, minimally speaking, or who loses speech under stress, including children with apraxia, Down syndrome, or a speech delay. The vocabulary is general by design.
- Is the communication board free?
- Yes. You can edit and print the board for free with no sign-up. Laminate it so it survives daily use, and reprint whenever it wears out.