Supporting Communication During Thanksgiving: Using Core Boards
By Miss J Modifies – Special Education Teacher
The holidays bring excitement, connection, and lots of delicious food—but for many of our neurodivergent students, gatherings like Thanksgiving dinner can also mean unfamiliar environments, sensory overwhelm, and communication barriers. One of my favorite tools to support students during busy family events is a Thanksgiving-themed Core Board filled with the essential core words they need to express wants, needs, and feelings.
Whether you’re a parent or an educator, having a simple, accessible communication tool available can make all the difference. Let’s talk about how to use a Thanksgiving Core Board at dinner to support authentic, functional communication—even in the middle of a loud, unpredictable holiday gathering.
Why Use a Thanksgiving Core Board?
Core boards give students access to highly useful, frequently needed words in visual form. During a holiday like Thanksgiving, they provide:
✔ Consistency
A familiar AAC tool in an unfamiliar space helps students feel more secure.
✔ Independence
Students can say what they want—without waiting for someone to guess.
✔ Emotional Regulation
When students can communicate discomfort, sensory needs, or preferences, stress decreases.
✔ Inclusion
Core words give students a voice at the table, allowing them to participate in greetings, choices, and conversation.
Core Words to Include on a Thanksgiving Board
While themed vocabulary is fun, core words remain the most functional and empowering, especially in moments of dysregulation or overwhelm. A Thanksgiving Core Board should include the essentials:
- Yes / No – making choices, setting boundaries
- More – requesting more food or activity
- All Done – stopping or moving on
- Help – asking for support
- Break – signaling sensory overload or the need for space
- Bathroom – a critical need (especially in an unfamiliar house!)
- Hello / Goodbye – participating in social routines
- I Want – leading into requests
- Like / Don’t Like – expressing preferences
And of course, a few Thanksgiving-themed fringe words can help with vocabulary expansion and concrete communication:
- Turkey
- Pie
- Potatoes
- Bread
- Dessert
How to Use the Thanksgiving Core Board at the Dinner Table
Here are practical, pressure-free ways to support AAC use during the holiday:
1. Model Calmly and Naturally
You don’t need to turn dinner into a lesson. Simply touch words as you talk:
- “Hello!” (tap hello)
- “You want more?” (tap more)
- “Are you all done?” (tap all done)
2. Keep the Board Nearby
Place it:
- on the table
- next to the student
- taped to a placemat
- attached to a lanyard or clipboard
The easier it is to access, the more likely students are to use it.
3. Validate Every Communication Attempt
If a student taps no, honor it.
If they tap break, help them go to a quieter space.
Respect builds trust—and trust builds communication.
4. Pre-Teach Before the Big Day
Send the board home early or practice in class.
Familiarity reduces anxiety and increases independence.
5. Offer Choices
“Do you want turkey or potatoes?”
Simple choices build engagement and communication confidence.
Supporting Sensory & Emotional Needs
Thanksgiving can be overstimulating, so pair the core board with regulation tools like:
- noise-reducing headphones
- a designated quiet corner
- fidgets
- a “break” visual card
- predictable social stories
AAC works best when paired with sensory supports and emotional validation.
Download Your Free Thanksgiving Core Board
I created a free, printable Thanksgiving Core Board with essential core words + common holiday foods to help your students communicate confidently during Thanksgiving gatherings. It’s perfect for home, school, or community outings.
Final Thoughts
Holiday gatherings don’t have to be stressful for our neurodivergent students. With the right support and tools—like a simple Thanksgiving Core Board—we can help them feel heard, understood, and included.
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