Ask most people to picture AAC and they'll describe a tablet or an app that speaks aloud. But some of the most powerful, reliable, and widely used communication tools in Australian clinical practice are made of paper, laminate, and a sturdy binder: communication books.
This article is specifically about low-tech dynamic display books — and particularly PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display), the Australian-developed system you'll hear a lot about if your child is working with an AAC-trained speech pathologist. If you're wondering whether offering a paper book will slow down your child's speech, the short answer is no — the research on AAC and spoken language development is reassuring, and we walk through it in Speech Generating Devices: What They Are.
What Is a Low-Tech Communication Book?
A low-tech communication book is a paper-based system that contains pages of symbols (pictures and words) organised in a way that allows your child to communicate a wide range of messages. Your child (or their communication partner) points to symbols on the pages to build messages.
Unlike a single picture board with a fixed set of symbols, a communication book has multiple pages that the user can navigate between. This is what makes it "dynamic" — the available vocabulary changes as you turn the pages, much like a high-tech device where you tap between screens.
The beauty of a low-tech communication book is its simplicity. It doesn't need charging, it doesn't break if it gets wet (well, laminated ones cope pretty well!), and it's always ready to go. The best communication tool is the one that's actually available in the moment — and a low-tech book wins on that front every time.
What Is PODD?
PODD stands for Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display. It's a specific type of communication book developed in Australia at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) in Melbourne.
PODD books are designed around how we actually communicate. Rather than organising vocabulary by category (all the foods on one page, all the animals on another), PODD organises vocabulary by pragmatic function — that is, by what the person wants to do with their communication. This means a child can start a conversation, ask a question, describe something, make a request, or chat socially — all through their book.
Each page links to other pages, creating a branching, dynamic system. The communication partner helps the child navigate through the pages, pointing to symbols and turning pages to find the right words. PODD books come in different formats depending on the child's access needs — including versions for direct pointing, partner-assisted scanning, and eye-pointing.
PODD is a specialised system that requires training to set up and implement effectively. A speech pathologist trained in PODD will assess your child's needs, build the right type of book, and train you and your child's team to use it. For more information about PODD, visit the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC).
How Is PODD Different from Other Communication Books?
There are several types of low-tech communication books used in Australia and internationally. What makes PODD distinctive is:
- Pragmatic organisation: Vocabulary is arranged by communicative purpose, not just by topic. This makes it faster to find words in a real conversation.
- Comprehensive vocabulary: PODD books are designed to give access to a wide range of language — not just requests, but comments, questions, feelings, stories, and social chat. The goal is genuine, rich communication.
- Dynamic display: Pages link to each other, so the child isn't limited to what's on a single board. They can navigate to different vocabulary as the conversation changes.
- Child-driven navigation: PODD includes features that give the child control over how the book is used, putting them in the driver's seat during conversations.
Who Benefits from Low-Tech Communication Books?
Low-tech communication books — including PODD — can be valuable for:
- Children with cerebral palsy or other physical disabilities (often using partner-assisted versions — see Alternative Access for Communication)
- Autistic children who benefit from visual communication supports
- Children with intellectual disabilities or childhood apraxia of speech
- Children who are learning to use a high-tech SGD (a low-tech book is a great back-up and complementary tool)
- Any child who needs support to communicate beyond speech alone
One of the great strengths of low-tech books is their reliability. They never run out of battery, they work in the pool and the sandpit, and they can be used in situations where a device isn't practical. Children use their communication books on the trampoline, in the bath, and at the beach — all situations where a tablet simply wouldn't survive. I've worked with many children whose communication book is the tool that actually travels with them through every part of their day, and it's often the humblest laminated page that does the heaviest lifting.
It's worth saying: choosing between PODD versions, working out the right access method, and building the book so it actually fits your child are the kinds of decisions that genuinely need a PODD-trained speech pathologist in the loop. The book itself is "low-tech," but setting one up well is not low-skill.
What Does the Evidence Say?
PODD has been used in clinical practice since the 1990s and is widely implemented across Australia and internationally. The Cerebral Palsy Education Centre established the foundational principles (Porter & Cafiero, 2009), and PODD is recommended within Australian speech pathology practice for children with complex communication needs.
Research on aided language input — the strategy of modelling on the child's communication system — supports the use of communication books when combined with responsive communication partner strategies. Speech Pathology Australia's clinical guidelines on AAC recognise the importance of low-tech options as part of a comprehensive communication system (Speech Pathology Australia, n.d.).
More recent Australian research continues to explore the outcomes of PODD and low-tech dynamic display use, particularly for children with cerebral palsy and those with complex communication needs. The evidence supports the idea that when communication partners are trained to model and support navigation, children show meaningful gains in their communication (Iacono, Lyon, & West, 2011).
Low-Tech and High-Tech: Not Either/Or
Many children benefit from having both a low-tech communication book and a high-tech SGD. They serve different purposes:
- The low-tech book goes everywhere — the beach, the bath, the trampoline, the car
- The high-tech device provides voice output and may be easier to navigate independently for some children
- Having both means your child always has a way to communicate, no matter the situation
Think of it like having both a pen and a laptop. You use different tools in different contexts, but both let you write.
Getting Started
Low-tech communication books and PODD pages can generally be funded through the NDIS as part of therapy supports or low-cost assistive technology — the funding pathways for AAC in Australia are covered in more detail in Speech Generating Devices: What Brisbane Parents Need to Know and Choosing the Right Access Method.
If you're interested in a communication book for your child, the first step is a thorough communication assessment with a speech pathologist experienced in AAC. We'll look at:
- Your child's current communication skills and needs
- Their physical access abilities (can they point? use their eyes? indicate yes/no?)
- The right type of communication book for your child
- How to set it up and get started with modelling
If you're interested in exploring whether a communication book is right for your child, we provide tailored AAC assessments and PODD training for families across Brisbane's south side and Logan. We'll help you and your child's team get the book set up, learn to navigate it, and make it a real part of everyday life. Get in touch to start the conversation. Any actual clinical work — assessment, diagnosis, or therapy — happens through a proper consultation tailored to your child.
References
- Porter, G., & Cafiero, J. M. (2009). Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) communication books: A promising practice for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 18(4), 144–157.
- Iacono, T., Lyon, K., & West, D. (2011). Non-electronic communication aids for people with complex communication needs. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 13(5), 399–410.
- Speech Pathology Australia. (2020). Augmentative and alternative communication clinical guidelines. Speech Pathology Australia.
Ready for practical strategies? Read our companion article: Using a Communication Book Every Day: Tips for Brisbane Families and Schools
Alexandra Bouwmeester is a Senior Speech Pathologist (MSPA, CPSP) with over 14 years' experience and specialist PODD training. She offers mobile speech pathology across Brisbane's south side and Logan, supporting families with communication book set-up and daily use.
