AAC

AT and AAC

What is AAC:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a term used to describe communication methods used by individuals who cannot rely on their own speech some or all of the time. AAC is a form of assistive technology that attempts to compensate, temporarily or permanently, for expressive communication disorders. It can be used as a bridge to speech or as a lifelong solution. AAC is multimodal, incorporating the individual’s full communication abilities, including existing speech, vocalizations, gestures, manual signs and aided communication. 

AAC supports deal with the process of communication. While speech is defined as the process of producing sounds for a particular language, communication, the foundation of AAC is defined as the process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, needs and wants. No prerequisite skills are required for successful use of AAC, and AAC can be utilized at any age.  

 

Types of AAC Systems:

AAC systems can be high tech, low tech, or no tech.  In general, forms of AAC are divided into two groups, unaided and aided forms of communication.  

Unaided forms of communication are often considered no tech supports and consist of nonverbal, natural communication, including gestures, motor movements, eye gaze, facial expressions and manual signs. 

Unaided forms of communication require adequate motor control and communication partners who can interpret the intended message.  

Aided forms of communication consist of approaches requiring some form of external support, such as low tech communication displays with visual symbols (pictures, photographs, line drawings, printed words), or high tech computers, handheld devices, tablet devices with symbols, words, letters or icons that ‘speak’ through synthetically produced speech or recorded natural speech. These speaking systems are identified as 'speech generating devices' (SGDs). Computers, handheld devices and tablet devices can be dedicated or non-dedicated. A dedicated device is a device that can only be used as an augmentative communication device. A non-dedicated device is one that can also be used for other purposes. 

 

AAC System Selection:

Selecting communication systems or supports is not an “either/or” decision. People communicate in a variety of ways and therefore, one support may not meet a person’s needs in all situations. In order to determine the tool or collection of tools that will provide the best system of supports for students who require AAC, the student’s IEP team will need to perform comprehensive, ongoing and dynamic assessment of his or her skills, needs and successes. This assessment should evaluate communication skills and needs across required tasks in routine environments and with the varied people in those environments.


Strategies for Effective AAC Use

 Adults and peers:

 (Binger Kent-Walsh 2012)


AAC Resources