105 What Is AAC?

What Is AAC?

By Speech Therapy Teacher

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, which is a set of tools and strategies used to help individuals who have difficulty communicating verbally. AAC can include any form of communication other than oral speech, such as gestures, facial expressions, pictures, symbols, sign language, or electronic devices that generate synthesized speech.

AAC is used by people of all ages who have various types of communication impairments, such as those with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or degenerative disorders. AAC is designed to help individuals express their thoughts, needs, and feelings, and participate in social interactions, education, work, and community activities.

AAC systems can range from low-tech to high-tech, depending on the user's needs and abilities. Low-tech systems may include communication boards with pictures or words, while high-tech systems may involve sophisticated devices that use eye-tracking, head movements, or switches to produce synthesized speech. AAC interventions may involve a team of professionals, such as speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, assistive technology specialists, and educators, who work collaboratively to customize the system to the user's needs and provide ongoing support and training.