What is AAC? An Intro for Families Just Getting Started
If you've been hearing the term "AAC" thrown around at appointments or in your child's IEP and aren't quite sure what it means, this post is for you.
What is AAC?
AAC is an acronym commonly used in the therapy world. You hear it 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.
It can include any tool that is used to help augment (supplement or enhance) 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.
Most people picture high-tech communication devices (also called speech-generating devices) when they think of AAC. These include tablets or iPads with apps that use symbols or text. Some apps I hear about the most are Proloquo2Go, Touch Chat, TD Snap, LAMP, and Grid, but there are many more.
But AAC isn't just tablets with apps. AAC can include a wide range of tools:
Picture symbols
Gestures and signs
Text or 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 (such as Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and more). Some people who use AAC are non-speakers, while others use spoken speech often and 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. Their child may only use gestures, non-specific vocalizations, or physical movement (for example, grabbing your hand and bringing you somewhere) to express what they need. This 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?
AAC is not a last resort. Research shows that AAC does not prevent speech development. In fact, it can support language growth and reduce frustration for those who use it.
One of the biggest pillars of my therapy practice is that 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 (middle school, high school, or older), it is not too late to consider AAC to support their communication.
Wondering if AAC could help your child?
I offer in-home and community-based AAC-focused speech therapy and AAC coaching for families in Seattle and across Washington state. If you're not sure where to start, book a free 20-minute call and we'll talk through what you're navigating together.
Further Reading & 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.