Augmentative and alternative communication, also known as AAC, refers to a number of tools, systems, and strategies you can use that allow you to communicate without speaking or in addition to your spoken language.
AAC incorporates many different supports and methods that can be adapted to fit the needs of various people based on their current communication needs and abilities.
As AAC supports range from no tech to high tech communication systems, AAC is accessible to everyone.
Regardless of age, developmental stage, or speech capabilities, AAC can be beneficial in increasing your ability to communicate effectively with everyone in your environment.
Our speech-language pathologists here at Forte Speech & Language Therapy can help. Our team of SLPs specializes in a wide range of areas of clinical focus, including AAC. We’ll work with you or your child to understand your communication needs and concerns.
From there, we’ll find an AAC system, and help you and those around you learn to use it.
What Is AAC?
AAC, or augmentative and alternative communication, are methods of communicating that don’t involve speaking. Augmentative refers to adding to or supplementing speech, while alternative refers to communicating in ways other than speaking.
It allows you to effectively relay your thoughts, feelings, questions, requests, and comments by alternative means that don’t require the use of spoken words.
Depending on your needs, AAC systems or supports may be used throughout your life or may only be required for a period of time.
AAC can help support you regardless of age or speech capabilities.
There are several types of AAC that can be used through a range of no tech to high tech tools and methods.
The Different Types of AAC
If you or a loved one finds it challenging to speak or demonstrates difficulty with producing intelligible speech, AAC can help.
It’s important to remember that AAC refers to multimodal communication supports.
A speech and language therapist can work with you to determine what type of AAC fits your needs.
Let’s take a more detailed look at the different types of AAC that are available.
No Tech AAC
No tech AAC is also known as unaided AAC.
This type of AAC doesn’t require the use of any external tools or technology to assist in communication.
It’s a method of communication that relies on your motor control and bodily behavior.
No tech AAC can include:
- Body language
- Facial expressions
- Gestures
- Sign language
- Pointing
Low Tech AAC
AAC that requires some form of external tool or technology is also referred to as aided AAC. But what’s the difference between low tech AAC and high tech AAC? Low tech AAC refers to using external tools to aid in communication that don’t require electronics.
Low tech options for AAC can include:
- Writing
- Modified picture exchange
- Alphabet board
- Object choice making
- Partner assisted scanning
- Communication books
- Core word vocabulary boards
Low tech AAC is affordable and easy to implement as part of a multimodal approach to communication across different environments.
High Tech AAC
High tech AAC is another type of aided AAC. This type of AAC requires the use of advanced technology to aid in communication. High tech AAC may include the use of electronics such as a smartphone, a communication application on a tablet, a computer, or medical durable equipment.
Using these tools can help you communicate more effectively through various methods, such as:
- Symbol based communication systems
- Text to speech communication systems
Depending on your or your child’s communication needs, high tech AAC can provide access to a robust vocabulary system.
It can also provide the ability to modify and personalize the system as needed. High tech AAC can also provide multiple forms of access, such as direct selection, eye gaze, and switch access capabilities.
To learn more, we have a full in-depth article to help you understand high tech AAC.
Frequently Asked Questions About AAC
Some examples of pediatric and adult conditions that may benefit from AAC include:
- Motor speech disorders like apraxia
- Neurodevelopmental conditions like nonspeaking autism or Down syndrome
- Developmental disorders like selective mutism or hearing impairment
- Laryngeal cancer
- Neurological conditions like ALS or aphasia
- Expressive language disorders
That’s not an exhaustive list. In general, if you or a loved one has difficulty speaking, or difficulty producing intelligible speech, AAC can help.
While some think that using AAC will hinder spoken language development, this is simply not the case.
Using AAC doesn’t slow down language development. Rather, research shows that using AAC can support the development of spoken language.
By offering additional feedback in relation to spoken words, such as auditory feedback and visual cues, it can help your child better understand and develop language.
AAC doesn’t necessarily replace speech, but rather augments speech and provides multimodal supports to aid in communication.
Your child can use AAC in the home setting to practice language skills in natural contexts, further helping them develop and generalize their social and personal communication skills.
According to The USSAAC (the United States Society For AAC), it’s estimated that more than 2 million Americans use AAC daily.
People who use AAC are able to more effectively participate and interact with their personal and social communities.
AAC systems can be acquired through various funding sources such as Medicaid, Medicare, commercial insurance, and school based assessments. For more information on that, see our helpful links page .
Furthermore, a speech and language therapist can help determine who needs AAC and what AAC system they would benefit from to support their language development.
With increased access to high tech AAC devices such as communication applications on tablet devices, AAC has become more commonly used by both children and adults with communication needs.
Being able to tell if and when your child would benefit from AAC depends on their individual communication needs.
Children of any age or diagnoses with communication difficulties can benefit from AAC. At Forte Speech and Language Therapy, we presume competence. We believe that all individuals have the ability and the right to communicate.
You can implement AAC strategies early on from the moment you observe that your child is having communication difficulties.
There are some common signs that can indicate that your child is struggling with speech or language development and may need AAC.
These include:
- Your child’s speech is difficult to understand
- Your child is nonspeaking
- Your child has a phonological disorder
- Your child has a limited vocabulary
- Your child uses a lot of scripted phrases
- Your child has childhood apraxia of speech
If you believe your child is having difficulties communicating and could benefit from AAC, a speech and language therapist can help.
Helpful Articles To Learn More About AAC
You can learn more about augmentative and alternative communication with these articles from our speech and language therapy blog.
If you need additional help with AAC, our experienced team of speech therapists are here to help you anytime.
Get Started with Forte Speech & Language Therapy Today
If you or your child are having issues communicating effectively, speech and language therapy can help.
At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we offer in home and virtual speech and language therapy and can work with you to address your concerns and facilitate language development.
We offer 15 minute complimentary phone calls to discuss your concerns and address your initial questions.