Summary statement

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) should be considered as a viable option for improving the quality-of-life of anyone of any age with a severe communication impairment resulting from developmental, acquired, progressive, long-term or acute conditions.

What is Augmentative and alternative communication?

1. Established in 2000, the AAC Institute serves as resource for all who are interested in enhancing the communication of people who rely on AAC. This mission is accomplished through service delivery, research, activity organization, information dissemination and education.
2. Next Steps and Resources is the fifth cluster of concepts for the Consider Communication project. These are additional resources that are available to help people with complex communication needs, families and teams get the support they need.

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Once the decision is made to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), there are usually a lot of questions. This section is designed to serve as a resource for parents, caregivers, spouses – anyone new to AAC devices and language systems.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been defined by the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC):

“AAC is a set of tools and strategies that an individual uses to solve everyday communicative challenges. Communication can take many forms such as: speech, a shared glance, text, gestures, facial expressions, touch, sign language, symbols, pictures, speech-generating devices, etc. Everyone uses multiple forms of communication, based upon the context and our communication partner. Effective communication occurs when the intent and meaning of one individual is understood by another person. The form is less important than the successful understanding of the message”

AAC covers a huge range of techniques which support, or replace, spoken communication.

These include:

• Gestures
• Signing
• Symbols
• Word boards
• Communication boards
• Books
• Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs) Communication Matters

Role of speech and language therapy in augmentative and alternative communication

If you or someone you know uses AAC, it is important to consult a speech and language therapist (SLT) or an AAC specialist to request a multi-disciplinary assessment to make an informed decision about any equipment that might be needed.

There is no ‘best’ type of AAC system. Each has pros and cons – the most suitable one for an individual will depend on their personal preference, situation and their abilities and needs. Specialist assessment will help to identify the most appropriate AAC system(s).

Resources

The RCSLT’s My Journey My Voice project provides information on AAC, a downloadable booklet and audio recordings of people using AAC.

Related topic areas

Key organisations

Next Steps and Resources is the fifth cluster of concepts for the Consider Communication project.

These are additional resources that are available to help people with complex communication needs, families and teams get the support they need.

About Consider Communication

Consider Communication is a project developed to support people with complex communication needs.

The intended consumers of these activities and ideas include but is not limited to:

• family members
• direct support providers
• friends
• educators
• health workers
• people with complex communication needs
• other interested people

The ideas and concepts that anchor Consider Communication are on this website.

Aac Implementation Resources Aac Resources Solutions

Activities include a full-day learning opportunity as well as follow-up small group video talks.

Developed by

The content has been developed and curated by

Kim Singleton, MS, CCC-SLP
kim.singleton@temple.edu

Kathryn Helland, MA CCC-SLP
kathryn.helland@temple.edu

Kathy Beatty, MA CCC-SLP

Made possible by

The Consider Communication project is made possible through a collaboration between Pennsylvania's Office of Developmental Programs and the TechOWL @ Institute on Disabilities @ Temple University.

Aac Resources

TechOWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives is a combination of statewide assistive technology programs including the Assistive Technology Act Program for Pennsylvania.