AAC & Literacy

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) encompasses all the ways someone might communicate besides speaking verbally. People of all ages use AAC for a wide range of reasons. Some people may use AAC for their entire life, while others may use AAC for a short period of time. There are many different types of AAC, including low-tech (such as writing or drawing on a piece of paper) and high-tech (such as using a speech-generating device). 

Why is literacy important for AAC users?

Communicators who use AAC can benefit greatly from learning literacy skills. Literacy allows us to access information, facilitate academic and employment opportunities, maintain social connections, and more. Types of AAC-based literacy activities include interactive storybook reading, aided language stimulation, and phonological awareness (initial phoneme matching, sound blending, single word reading).

Resources:

General Information and Research About AAC + Literacy:

• Information about AAC from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

• Fostering Emergent Literacy for Children Who Require AAC (Research Article)

• AAC, Literacy and Bilingualism

• Why is Literacy Critical in AAC? (video)

• The Communication Matrix: an assessment tool for families and professionals

AAC Literacy Activity Ideas:

• AAC Literacy Instruction Curriculum

• Literacy Lessons for Beginning AAC Learners

• Literacy Activities for Emergent AAC Users

• Integrating Comprehensive Literacy Instruction for AAC users

• AAC Language Lab

• Shared Reading Activities from PrAACtical AAC

• Project Core: vocabulary instruction using AAC

• Tar Heel Shared Reader: free, quality materials for shared reading with school-aged students with cognitive disabilities

• Project Core: teaching vocabulary with AAC systems

• Video Examples of Aided Language Input from PrAActical AAC