Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), including speech generating devices (SGDs), offer people with complex communication needs the potential for improved communication and participation in society. Despite rapid and ongoing development in AAC technology, its potential is not being fully realised. The number of people with complex communication needs who use an SGD remains low, and for those who do use SGDs, recent research has highlighted high rates of device abandonment. This situation may be explained by the challenges that people new to using SGDs encounter, including difficulties in obtaining therapy services, barriers to AAC-based communication in the community, and communication partners who lack skills in supporting successful communication. In this paper, the authors suggest that a program with adults experienced in using SGDs as mentors may help address the challenges that new learners of SGDs encounter. This approach may provide a useful adjunct to speech pathology services for a group of people who experience difficulty accessing regular intensive therapy. It may also reduce the anxiety that accompanies long waiting lists and limited service provision. Those new to AAC may benefit from sharing an experienced person's learning experiences and strategies for mastering AAC technology. (Contains 1 note.)