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What is an AAC device?
What is an AAC device?
AAC stands for Alternative and Augmentative Communication. An AAC device can be used long-term or it can be used short-term while the student develops spoken language. It can supplement spoken language, sign language, gestures or any other means of total communication.
AAC stands for Alternative and Augmentative Communication. An AAC device can be used long-term or it can be used short-term while the student develops spoken language. It can supplement spoken language, sign language, gestures or any other means of total communication.
Research supports the use of AAC devices for students who are unable to speak on their own (Millar, Light & Schlosser, 2006; Sedey, Rosin & Miller, 1991) . The use of an AAC device can actually help develop more spoken words! The AAC device will act as another model for spoken words.
Research supports the use of AAC devices for students who are unable to speak on their own (Millar, Light & Schlosser, 2006; Sedey, Rosin & Miller, 1991) . The use of an AAC device can actually help develop more spoken words! The AAC device will act as another model for spoken words.
There are different types of AAC devices- including low, mid and high tech. There are AAC apps that are now available on a variety of phones and tablets as well. AAC apps have become very popular because they are easily accessible and smart devices are commonplace.
There are different types of AAC devices- including low, mid and high tech. There are AAC apps that are now available on a variety of phones and tablets as well. AAC apps have become very popular because they are easily accessible and smart devices are commonplace.
The student's AAC device should be set up to help the student with their daily communication needs. They will be able to ask/answer questions, make comments, protest, interact with peers, express their wants/needs and give their own ideas.
The student's AAC device should be set up to help the student with their daily communication needs. They will be able to ask/answer questions, make comments, protest, interact with peers, express their wants/needs and give their own ideas.
Myths and Facts about AAC:
Myths and Facts about AAC:
- The AAC device will hinder spoken language development.
This is a MYTH! "The use of AAC does not affect motivation to use natural speech and can, in fact, help improve natural speech when therapy focuses simultaneously on natural speech development and use of AAC in a multimodal approach (Millar, Light, & Schlosser, 2006; Sedey, Rosin, & Miller, 1991)." Source: www.asha.com
- Children who are young or do not show interest in communication are not ready for symbol communication/AAC device.
This is a MYTH! "AAC intervention for children with complex communication needs helps develop functional communication skills, promotes cognitive development, provides a foundation for literacy development, and improves social communication (Drager et al., 2010)." Source: www.asha.com
- There are prerequisite skills to beginning use of AAC.
This is a MYTH! "Skills will be taught with the AAC device. "Measures of pre-communicative cognitive ability may be invalid for some populations, and research suggests that impaired cognition does not preclude communication (Kangas & Lloyd, 1988; Zangari & Kangas, 1997). Development of language skills can lead to functional cognitive gains (Goossens', 1989)." Source: www.asha.com
For more information on AAC visit American Speech and Hearing Association's web site:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Click on the COMMUNICATION DEVICES drop down menu above to explore communication supports.
Click on the COMMUNICATION DEVICES drop down menu above to explore communication supports.
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