"AAC includes all of the ways we share our ideas and feelings without talking. We all use forms of AAC every day. You use AAC when you use facial expressions or gestures instead of talking. You use AAC when you write a note and pass it to a friend or coworker. We may not realize how often we communicate without talking.

People with severe speech or language problems may need AAC to help them communicate. Some may use it all of the time. Others may say some words but use AAC for longer sentences or with people they don’t know well. AAC can help in school, at work, and when talking with friends and family. " (https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/AAC/)

AAC can be divided into two categories: UNAIDED and AIDED.

UNAIDED AAC: does not require extra materials/tools (gestures, body language, facial expressions, and sign language)

AIDED AAC : typically divided into Low-Tech (paper/pen, picture systems) or High-Tech (involves computer based systems)

Many people use a combination of systems to communicate throughout their day at home and school. Please contact your SLP for specific information regarding your student's AAC program.