The Difference Between AT and AAC

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT):

•Sec. 300.5 Assistive technology device: Assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device.

•Sec. 300.6 Assistive technology service. (Sec. 602(2)) Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. 

The term includes:

a. The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the  child in the child's customary environment;

b. Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;

c. Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;

d. Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;

e. Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate, that child's family; and

f. Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that child.

AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC):

• Augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC, is a term that's used to describe various methods of communication that can help people who are unable to use verbal speech to communicate. AAC methods vary and may be personalized to meet each individual's needs. 

• AAC encompasses a wide range of nonverbal communication methods, from sign language and picture boards to mobile device apps and sophisticated, dedicated speech-generating devices (SGDs)

• A major advantage of SGDs is that these devices allow an individual to say and play with words. By doing this, learners can acquire new words and language and the listener is able to understand exactly what is being expressed.

•  In addition, there is evidence that pairing the communicated word with voice output may help children with auditory processing of spoken language.