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What is AAC?:
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) describes multiple ways to communicate that can supplement or compensate (either temporarily or permanently) for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication disorders. (Click here for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: ASHA website)
Communication Bill of Rights:
The Communication Bill of Rights, from the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities, is a document outlining basic human communication rights. This version of the Communication Bill of Rights, is the version that has been shared by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
Types of AAC:
Unaided Systems: You do not need anything but your own body to use unaided systems. These include gestures, body language, facial expressions, and some sign vocabulary.
Aided Systems: An aided system uses some sort of tool or device. There are two types of aided systems—basic and high-tech. A pen and paper is a basic aided system. Pointing to letters, words, or pictures on a board is a basic aided system. Touching letters or pictures on a computer screen that speaks for you is a high-tech aided system. Some of these speech-generating devices, or SGDs, can speak in different languages.
Types of Aided AAC Systems:
Core Vocabulary Boards: Core vocabulary refers to a set of words that make up about 80% of what we say on a daily basis. This small number of words provides for a range of purposes, places and communication partners across contexts (think from class to class, home vs. school, season to season). They allow for the most flexibility and ability to combine words to make sentences as opposed to using context-dependent vocabularies.
TD Snap: TD Snap is a flexible communication app supporting individuals with speech and language disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, and aphasia. It meets users where they are while fostering the development and growth of communication, language, and literacy skills. Accessible via touch, eye gaze, and scanning, this symbol-supported software is both easy to set up and use. TD Snap organizes language into folders based on category.
TouchChat: TouchChat is a full-featured Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution for individuals who have difficulty using their natural voice. TouchChat is designed for individuals with any disability that affects a person's ability to use natural speech.
TouchChat gives an individual the ability to choose a vocabulary file which consists of pages and buttons that contain words, phrases, sentences, and other functions. Messages are spoken with a built-in voice synthesizer or by playing a recorded message. Various synthesized and custom voice options are available, allowing the user to choose a voice that fits their own personality. TouchChat is motor-planning based and organizes language based on function.
Proloquo2go: Proloquo2Go is an easy to use communication app used to support individuals with speech and language disabilities. Featuring natural sounding voices, including real children's, teen's, and adult voices, Proloquo2Go is a simple yet powerful AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) tool. The app is fully customizable and can be utilized to build language skills and grow with a person’s communication, supporting both beginning and advanced communicators. Proloquo2go organizes language into folders based on categories (food, toys, vehicles, etc).
PODD: PODD stands for Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display. PODD is a low or high-tech robust language system. "The aim of a PODD is to provide vocabulary for use in multiple environments, with a range of messages, across a range of topics. It is designed to be a tool in someone’s ‘toolbox of communication methods’ that is useful all the time. Selection of words and symbols in the PODD can be made by pointing, looking or other combinations of methods"
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