Augmentative and Alternative Communication

What is AAC?

Watch this short video from the Aaron W. Perlman Center's Assistive Technology Project.

In summary, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols or pictures, or write.

The are two types of AAC, Unaided systems and Aided sytems.

Unaided communication systems - don't require anything but your body. Thes include gestures, body language, facial expressions, and some sign vocabulary.

Aided communication systems – require the use of tools or equipment in addition to the user's body. Aided communication methods can range from paper and pencil to communication books or boards to devices that produce voice output (speech generating devices or SGD's) and/or written output. Electronic communication aids allow the user to use picture symbols, letters, and/or words and phrases to create messages. Some devices can be programmed to produce different spoken languages (ASHA).


When Would a Student Use Me?

A student with severe speech or language problems may need AAC to supplement existing speech or replace speech that is not functional.

Core Vocabulary

You are going to see the phrase "Core Vocabulary" in much of the device information on this page. You might be wondering what it is. Core vocabulary refers to the small number of word that make up between 70% to 90% of what we say every day. Core vocabulary includes all parts of speech (nouns, verbs, pronouns, prepositions to name a few). In system using Core Vocabulary the icons or words are often color coded for different parts of speech. Visit Region 13's Core Vocabulary for more information.

Modeling or Aided Language Simulation

Children don't learn an AAC system without instruction. We call this instruction Modeling or Aided Language Stimulation. This is a very important concept in AAC. When you get to the bottom of this page in the Try It Yourself section, think about how you would practice modeling for a student in your class.

Modeling at school at home and in the community

An AAC system will be a student's voice so they must learn to use it at home, at school and in the community. Modeling is very important and while it looks complicated, it is not. This video is from our colleague Emily Diaz, an SLP from San Marcos CISD. This is a video she made to show how you might model at home.

No Tech Communication Systems

These are communication systems that use no technology. The can be referred to as Manual Communication Boards (MCBs). Here's some information from Region 13's Core Vocabulary Site: These systems can be a simple, but effective way to support language acquisition. They can also serve as a bridge to higher tech communication systems by teaching icon/symbol meanings and vocabulary organization. These boards also serve as an important back up system when higher tech systems become unavailable for use (device is broken and in need of repair, device battery is not charged, student is in a location which is incompatible with device use, i.e. swimming pool).

This core board is from the Dynaic Learning Maps and Universal Core Vocabulary Project. It has the DLM's first 40 words. The work on this project led to Project Core.

The goals of Project Core are two fold:

  • Empower teachers and classroom professionals to deliver access to a Universal Core vocabulary and communication instruction during the naturally occurring academic and daily routines of the school day.

  • Improve the academic achievement of students with significant cognitive disabilities as evidenced by gains in their communication and literacy skills, and ultimately in their end-of-year assessments.

Please print one of these to try out an activity below.

This manual communication board was designed and used by Sarah Giggs and Shannon Page from the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. It has 60 locations with a tabbed flip top of personal and extended vocabulary arranged in categories.

You can print this version from our Core Vocabulary website.

Low Tech Communication Systems

Low or light tech systems include devices that require a power sources, but contain simple electronics that are not computer based. These systems offer a limited number of locations for building vocabulary. In order to be a successful with a static display speech generation device, a student needs to be able to imitate/initiate communication using objects, photographs, words, or line drawings. We suggest that you program your systems using core vocabulary.

If you were visiting the lab, I would have pulled a GoTalk 32 Express for you to explore. It is a 32 location communication system. This is a device, you might find in use in classrooms. You must create the picture overlay that slides under the grid. The one you would see at Region 13 would have a Core Vocabulary overlay.

If you were visiting the lab, I would have pulled a GoTalk 20 for you to explore. It has 20 location. This is a device, you might find in use in classrooms. You must create the picture overlay that slides under the grid. The one you would see at Region 13 would have a Core Vocabulary overlay.

High Tech Communication Systems

High Tech AAC systems require a power source, contain electronic components and are computer based. These systems provide voice output and typically provide unlimited room for language growth. High tech AAC systems can be dedicated (specially designed for communication purposes alone) or non dedicated (serving several of the individual with disabilities needs which can include: messaging, scheduling, recreation/leisure activities, etc.)

Most high tech communication systems have language systems that are organized around core vocabulary.

This video is from the manufacturer. Many students would use this device by direct selection. They use their finger to touch the desired icon. This video shows the system being activated by alternate access. One student is using two switch-scanning. Brad is using eye-gaze to operate their device.


If you'd like to experience what it is like to use one of these devices, download their PASS Software for NuVoice. You can set up a display and try it out.

The picture above shows what the software looks like on my computer screen. This is the front screen of Unity 84-sequenced. Sequenced means that when you press one of the icons, it will open more vocabulary.

This is a video from the manufacturer. It shows this device in action. Our Region 13 device has Snap Plus Core First and Snap Scene as two of its language options.

If you'd like to experience what Snap Plus Core is like, you can get a free trial for a windows device.

As with many language systems, you can choose how many icons you want the student to access. The system shown above is a screen shot from the Snap Plus Core software on my computer. This is a 42-location board with extra icons down both the left and right sides for different options.

iPad Based Systems

In our lending library, we have iPads with communication systems on them. There are many commercially available communication apps for iPads. We keep four of the most robust apps with core language available for trial.

Proloquo2Go

This is app is a common on seen in schools. It is from AssistiveWare. At this time there isn't a simulator to try it on a computer. They have the AssistiveWare Core Classroom that was designed to support the use of core words, modeling/aided language stimulation, and communicate everywhere.

LAMP Words for Life

This AAC language is from Prentke Romich and uses its Unity language system with Language Acquisition through Motor Planning principles and strategies.

If you want to explore the LAMP language, use the PASS software described above. Within that simulation, you can change the user language from Unity to LAMP.


TouchChat App AAC with Word Power

This AAC language app is from Saltillo. It has the following language sets available: VocabPC, MultiChat15, My Quickchat, My Core, Spelling, 4 Basic, and Word Power. These are the same language sets that are available on NovaChat devices from Saltillo. TouchChat has a free Chat Editor for Windows. Like the PASS software from PRC, you can use this to experiment with any one of these language sets available in this app.

Snap Core First Full

This AAC language is from TobiiDynavox. It is similar to what runs on a dedicated TobiiDynavox device.

If you have an iPad and you'd like to explore this app there is a free version. It comes without the speech, but you can explore the language sets and other pages that this app offers.


Try It Yourself!

All of the systems show above use symbols as opposed to real objects or photographs. For your lab visit, we ask you to try to use one to communicate. Print out a basic core board or download a free version of some of the popular AAC programs and try to model these simple phrases to your friends and family. Remember to model the oral speech for these phrases as you are modeling on the AAC system.

As you are working through this exercise, here are some things to think about.

  • What did you notice?

  • Would this be helpful for students who struggle receptively/who don't understand directions? How?

  • Would this be helpful for students who struggle with expressive communication? How?

  • Could you incorporate modeling of simple, common phrases into your circle/morning meeting?

I want that

I want more

I want different

I finished

I do it

I go

I can do

I like it

It go here

Put it in

This is mine

You stop

I want help

I need help

I want turn

I can help

Don’t like

Need open

Who go?

Where go?

When go?

Go out?

Tell me

Look In

Look on

Do you like?

Make it?

Make it go

What is it?

What is that?

Do more

That is/This is

That mine

Look at me

Don’t look

Don’t do that

Resources