What is AAC? An Intro for Families Just Getting Started
What is AAC?
AAC is an acronym commonly used in the therapy world. You hear the acronym used all the time, but people don't often define what it stands for. So…let's break it down. AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. AAC can include any tool that is used to help supplement/enhance (augment) someone's spoken speech, or act as an alternative to spoken speech if needed.
When families search terms like “speech device for autism” or “communication device for nonspeaking child,” they are often talking about AAC. When we think of AAC, most people picture high-tech communication devices (also called speech generating devices). These include tools like tablets or iPads that have apps with symbols or text that someone uses to express themselves. Some of the apps I hear about the most are Proloquo2Go, Touch Chat, TD Snap, LAMP, and Grid, but there are so many more.
However, AAC isn't just tablets with apps on them. AAC can include a wide range of tools like picture symbols, gestures, signs, text, written words, communication boards, single or multi-message buttons, and more. Augmentative and alternative communication can be low-tech, mid-tech, or high-tech depending on a person’s needs.
Who Uses AAC?
AAC can be a great fit for someone whose spoken speech is not meeting their communication needs. This covers a wide range of individuals, including children with motor speech differences, developmental delays, or certain diagnoses with corresponding speech or language challenges (e.g., Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and more). Some people who use AAC are non-speakers who do not use spoken language, and others use spoken speech often but rely on AAC only in certain situations.
Here are some things I hear from families who are considering AAC. Some parents report that their child has very limited spoken speech. Maybe their child only uses gestures, non-specific vocalizations, or physical movement (for example, grabbing your hand and bringing you somewhere) to express what they need. Sometimes this difficulty with expression can lead to frequent communication breakdowns and frustration for both kids and parents.
Other families report that their child tries to speak or speaks often, but due to motor or structural differences, their child is very difficult to understand. In these cases, AAC may help supplement speech for children who have low intelligibility and want to be better understood.
When Should AAC Be Introduced?
One of the biggest pillars of my therapy practice is that AAC is not a last resort. Research shows that AAC does not prevent speech development. In fact, augmentative and alternative communication can support language growth and reduce overall frustration for those who use it. AAC use can (and often does) evolve over the course of someone's life. I am a big advocate of introducing AAC as early as possible. Everyone has a right to communicate.
It is also never too late to introduce AAC. If you have an older child (maybe middle school, high school, or older), it is not too late to consider AAC to support their communication.
If you're wondering whether AAC might help your child, I offer in-home and community-based AAC-focused speech therapy and AAC support for families in Seattle and surrounding Washington communities. Learn more at www.saytheirway.com
Further Reading & A Few Sources!
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
AssistiveWare. Will AAC Stop a Person from Learning to Speak?
The Informed SLP. Setting the Record Straight on AAC and Speech.
Disclaimer:
This blog provides general educational information related to speech and language development and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Content reflects a combination of cited resources, clinical experience, and professional expertise. It is not intended as medical or therapeutic advice and does not replace a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed speech-language pathologist or other qualified professional. Reading this content does not establish a provider-client relationship.