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This link provides information about AAC from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, the official professional association that oversees professions regarding speech, language, and hearing.

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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

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Children and adults with severe speech or language problems may need to find other ways to communicate. There are many types of AAC that they can use. Speech-language pathologists, or SLPs, can help.

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High-tech AAC looks different depending on what is being used. Here are a few images of "high tech" AAC.

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Sentence Shaper is one computer application one can use to create fluent speech in their own voice. It allows one to use built in words, say words they do know, and move and change the order of them to create fluent language. It was developed for those who have aphasia (a language impairment due to brain damage), however it can be used for anyone with language impairments.

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SentenceShaper, Language Software for Aphasia

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SentenceShaper® is an innovative computer program that helps people with language problems

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Besides iPad and computer applications, there are also high-tech devices that have been developed to solely serve as AAC devices. These are still common because it is easier to have insurance cover an AAC device than an iPad and an expensive application to put on the iPad. One example of a common device is Lingraphica. Those who use Lingraphica can select any of the 4000+ words in its vocabulary to create sentences and make simple requests. Here is the link for their "Touch Talk" device.

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Meet our most popular device

The TouchTalk™ is our convenient, tablet-style communication device. The TouchTalk offers mobility for an active lifestyle, while providing a sleek and portable way to communicate.

The device's icon-based language system includes more than 4,400 adult-appropriate graphic icons and animations that represent 9,000-plus words, empowering your clients to find their own voice.

The device's discreet and lightweight design-only two pounds, including its protective carrying case-helps your clients use it while easily blending into a variety of social settings.

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Meet our most popular device The TouchTalk™ is our convenient, tablet-style communication device. The TouchTalk offers mobility for an active lifestyle, while providing a sleek and portable way to communicate. The device's icon-based language system includes more than 4,400 adult-appropriate graphic icons and animations that represent 9,000-plus words, empowering your clients to find their own voice.

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This is a video from the highly revered Cincinnati Children's hospital explaining AAC and the range of forms it can take.

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What is AAC? Augmentative and Alternative Communication

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This can be a tough question. In a world where most of the population communicates using voice or sign language, it can be hard to think you or your child would communicate any other way. One can work with a team of individuals in choosing an AAC device, but here is some information that parents and users should be armed with before going into an AAC evaluation.

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Every person who uses augmentative or alternative communication, or AAC, is different. Learn more about how to find the right AAC system for you.

On this page:

AAC Users

Anyone who has a lot of trouble talking can use AAC. You may need it for a short time after surgery or an illness. You may need AAC as an adult after a stroke or head injury. Or, you may use AAC for most of yourlife. AAC can help you stay connected to others through speech, texting, or social media.

There are many disorders that cause severe communication problems. Some may be present from birth, like cerebral palsy or autism. Others happen after an illness or injury, like cancer or a stroke. Diseases that get worse over time can also cause problems speaking. These include Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

Read a personal story from an AAC user.

Finding an AAC System

It is important that you find the AAC system that is right for you. Some people get a system that they don't like or that doesn't let them say what they want. They end up not using the system. Don't let this happen to you. Go to professionals who know about AAC and can help you to find the best system for you. You may need to go to a hospital or private clinic. Your child may get help at school. In some places, there are special AAC programs that can help.

To find the best AAC system, you may work with a team that includes you or your loved one and the following individual(s):

Speech-language pathologist, or SLP

Doctor

Occupational therapist

Physical therapist

Social worker

Learning specialist

Psychologist

Vision specialist

Assistive technology professional

You may work with a vocational counselor to help you get back to work using AAC. You may also see a person who knows the technology, called a rehabilitation engineer.

This team will look at your speech and language, motor skills, vision, and more. They will look at how you communicate and what you need to be able to do. This information will help them decide what type of AAC system might be best for you.

Team members can help you find ways to pay for an AAC system. They can help you work with your insurance to pay for it. The team will help program the system, if needed. You may need to work with someone to learn how to use the system. You may also need to make changes to your AAC system over time.

Using AAC

Access is the way you make choices on your communication board or device. There are two main ways to access AAC-direct selection and scanning.

Direct Selection

This includes pointing with some part of your body, like a finger, toe, or eyes. You may also point with a beam of light, headstick, or mouthstick. You can use switches if you are not able to point. You can touch the switch or turn it on by blowing into a tube or moving your eyebrow. Direct selection is the fastest way to make choices.

Scanning

In scanning, you get one choice at a time. You have to point to or stop on the word or picture you want. A simple scanning system has someone show you a picture and ask, "Is this what you want?" The person will keep asking you this until you get to the right picture.

Some devices have lights that pass over each choice on the screen or board. You use a switch to stop the light on your choice. You may scan each letter to spell a word or scan to a picture of what you want. There are also scanners that use sounds or that scan the board or screen in patterns. You do not need to control your hands or feet to scan. But, you may need better thinking skills to learn how to scan.

Communicating With AAC

There are three main ways you can use AAC to communicate. These include single-meaning pictures, alphabet systems, and pictures with more than one meaning. Most people use more than one type of system.

Single-Meaning Pictures
You do not need to read to use this type of AAC. Each picture means one thing, and you point or scan to the picture you want. You may need to learn what some pictures mean, since not every word has an easy picture to go with it. You need to have a lot of pictures to say everything you want to say. For example, a 3-year-old would need more than 1,000 pictures to have all the words he might want to say. This system is not used as much as the other types.

Alphabet Systems
You need to be able to read and spell to use this type of system. You have the letters of the alphabet in front of you, and you point or scan to each letter. Some systems are able to guess the word after the first few letters, which can save time.

Pictures with more than one meaning. You may hear this called semantic compaction.
You do not need to read to use this type of AAC. You put pictures together to form words and phrases. One picture can mean different things when combined with other pictures. For example, a picture of a frog can mean frog, jump, or green. If you point to a frog and a rainbow, you mean "green." If you point to a frog and an arrow, you mean "jump."

Questions to Ask Your Speech-Language Pathologist

You should work with an SLP who knows about AAC. Here are some questions you can ask:

Do you work with AAC a lot?

How long have you worked with AAC? Have you worked with anybody who has a problem like mine?

Do you work as part of a team? Who else is on the team?

Will you see me for follow-up treatment after I get an AAC system?

Where can I go to see and talk with people using AAC?

How soon can you schedule testing? What will it cost? What kinds of payment do you accept?

Are you able to help me find a way to pay for the AAC device?

Will I be able to see the systems you think I should use? Where can I go to see it if you don't have it in your office?

There is information that you want to know after you have tried AAC. If you are not sure of the answer, talk with your SLP.

What does the SLP think I can do to communicate with others?

What system will I use to tell people how I feel? To ask questions? To talk with family? To say something short and fast? Will I use the same system or different ones?

What symbols will be on the boards or devices? Will they have pictures, letters, or words?

Can I use the AAC system in different places, like home, work, school, or with friends?

Will I need to buy special equipment or switches?

What will I need to do with my body to use the system? Will it help if I sit up or turn my head?

Can the system change as my needs change?

Why was the system chosen for me?

Who will I work with to use the system? How often will I need to see them?

Can I talk with someone who uses the system I am thinking about?

See Also

See ASHA information for professionals on the Practice Portal's Augmentative and Alternative Communication page.

To find a speech-language pathologist near you, visit ProFind.

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Every person who uses augmentative or alternative communication, or AAC, is different. Learn more about how to find the right AAC system for you. On this page: Anyone who has a lot of trouble talking can use AAC. You may need it for a short time after surgery or an illness.

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AAC devices can even be fitted to power-chairs for those with multiple disabilities. These users can also use easily accessible switches and mouses fitted to their chairs.

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Oftentimes, one does not go right to an AAC device, for they require a lot of treatment and therapy for one to be able to use the, efficiently to communicate. Oftentimes, children will use lower tech AAC (such as Picture-exchange communication systems aka PECS) before advancing to a high-technology device or application. Here is a picture of a child using PECS.

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For those with physical disabilities along with communication difficulties, the movement associated with using AAC devices can be difficult. Many devices allow item selection using eye-gaze. Here is a video showing how a child can use eye gaze to possibly use for a communication system.

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Below is a form a Speech Language Pathologist, technology specialist, case manager, or occupational therapist might use when attending an initial AC team meeting. Legally, parents are invited to these meetings, and if the time does not work for the parent, they have the right to reschedule it for a time that works for them. By having this form, parents and advocates of possible AAC users are preapred for these evaluation meetings.

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Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

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How does Assistive Technology become part of an IEP?

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How does Assistive Technology become part of an IEP?

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This whole process of adding in assistive technology or augmentative and alternative communication to a child's lifestyle and Individual education plan can be confusing. Here is a chart explaining the whole process of implementing AT in meeting you or your child's educational goals.

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What does a High-Tech AAC screen look like?

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What does a High-Tech AAC screen look like?

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Here is an example of a basic screen for an AAC device and the items and "words" that it provides. ON many devices, the items can be added, taken away, or changed based on the users needs.

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These devices and applications do more than simply string simple words together. Here is a video of a woman who had a stroke and is now using AAC as her primary way of communication. It is also good to note that this woman has most likely received extensive therapy and training on her device.

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DynaVox V as an AAC device for stroke client

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Uploaded by speechpathrox on 2012-01-03.