The Tower Treasure | AAC Symbol-Supported Accessible Novel for Complex Communicators

Most AAC “books” are short, babyish. Older students quickly recognize that their materials don’t match what their peers are reading—and they disengage.

This resource allows students to experience the fun mystery plot of The Tower Treasure while adapting the language, visuals, and response options for AAC users. Students aren’t focused on the supports—they’re focused on the story.

Everything is designed so that complex communicators can:

• Follow the plot from chapter to chapter
• Use their AAC system to comment, predict, and answer WH questions
• Enjoy an age-respectful story with real stakes and problem-solving

Every chapter follows the same AAC-friendly routine so students know what to expect:

• Pre-reading questions and visuals to preview key events and vocabulary
• Adapted chapter story with symbol-supported text and AAC modeling prompts
• Engagement & comprehension questions offered in both multiple-choice and open-ended formats
• Look-Back Learning: incorrect answers redirect students to the exact place in the story they need to revisit—reinforcing how strong readers look back and find evidence in the text
• A link to a printable journal activity with 3 differentiated options: cut & paste, fill-in-the-blank with a word bank, and independent writing
• Optional sensory items and tangibles suggested for each chapter to bring the story to life

Plan on roughly one chapter per week for a semester-long unit—or adjust the pacing based on your group’s needs.

Use this resource in whole group, small group, or 1:1 instruction:

• Project the Google Slides for shared reading and group discussion.
• Pause on text to model responses on students’ AAC systems.
• Use the comprehension/engagement questions as exit tickets, informal data, or guided practice.
• Extend learning with printable journals in 3 formats to match fine-motor and language needs.
• Layer in sensory extensions and tangible items for students who benefit from hands-on input.

You can build a weekly “Hardy Boys day” into your schedule or weave chapters into your existing literacy block.

This resource includes generic, non-proprietary AAC icons so you can use it as-is right away.
If you prefer, the icon placeholders are fully editable, allowing you to swap in icons from the AAC systems your students already use — as long as you have legal access to those symbol sets.

You can match your classroom’s AAC layouts, including systems such as:

• LAMP Words for Life

• TouchChat

• TD Snap

• Proloquo

• Unity

• PODD

• CoughDrop

• Custom or district-created systems

Customizing the icons ensures questions, answers, and story language mirror the layout students already know, which reduces cognitive load and increases independence.

The content is designed for older elementary through high school AAC users:

• Mystery, danger, and problem-solving—not “little kid” plots
• Characters and situations that feel appropriate for roughly ages 8–18
• Supports that protect student dignity while making the text accessible

Mixed-age classrooms and programs can read the same story together while you adjust questions, response formats, and supports for each student.