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Just like everybody else, our students who utilize AAC devices need to communicate their wants/needs at recess, at specials, and even at lunch! Their device should follow them to their non-academic blocks as this is their voice.

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Vicki Clarke & AAC Chicks at DTA Schools

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At home working on making requests is an important carryover skill that the speech therapist and special education teachers may be working on at school. Also, modeling without expectation to ensure lots of language learning and input is key to growing your child's ability to utilize their device.

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Using AAC Communication at the Playground #aac #communication #parenting

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Teaching to Standards: Math Supporting active participation of students  who access curriculum at a presymbolic level. (n.d.). Teaching to Standards: Math. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.attainmentcompany.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/1227

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During Math, students need to show what they know, this can be done with their AAC device and look like:
-using numbers for correspondences on their device
-Completing a problem and using their device to share their answer
-Counting on their device
-Number Identification

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Assistiveware. (n.d.). Integrating Comprehensive Literacy instruction. AssistiveWare. https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/integrating-comprehensive-literacy-instruction

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If a student doesn't know their letters:

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If a student doesn't know their letters:

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Vocabulary identification on device, letter identification with and without device, symbol-based adapted books for reading, shared reading with emphasis on visuals, use of device to model and label during reading.

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Intervention can include: modeling sight words on device, guided reading with device to answer comprehension questions, independent reading with device to answer comprehension questions, vocabulary check-ins, creating words (Qwerty), and Spelling (Qwerty)

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Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. (2011, December 20). What is AAC? augmentative and alternative communication. What is AAC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3m8_YmTDDM

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High tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices that are high tech may look like iPads or tablets that contain applications to assist students in communication.

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[ en Español]

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

On this page:

About AAC

AAC means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Augmentative means to add to someone's speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. Some people use AAC throughout their life. Others may use AAC only for a short time, like when they have surgery and can't talk.

There are a lot of different types of AAC. No-tech and low-tech options include things like

gestures and facial expressions,

writing,

drawing,

spelling words by pointing to letters, and

pointing to photos, pictures, or written words.

High-tech options include things like

using an app on an iPad or tablet to communicate and

using a computer with a "voice," sometimes called a speech-generating device.

A person may use different types of AAC because there are many ways that we all communicate. An AAC system means all of the tools of this type that a person uses.

Working With A Speech-Language Pathologist

An SLP can help find the right AAC system for you or your loved one. They also help you and the people you talk with learn how to use AAC to communicate. Not every tool works for every person, so it is important to find the right one for you. SLPs work with other professionals like occupational therapists and physical therapists if you have different physical skills that affect how you access your AAC system. Some AAC tools are covered by insurance, but some are not. Your SLP can help you understand your options.

Common Concerns

You may have questions or concerns about using AAC. Professionals have been studying AAC for years, so we've learned a lot about how AAC helps people communicate. Here are some of the areas that research has helped us understand.
Age, Skills, and Timing
Some people wonder if children need to be a certain age before they can use AAC. Research shows that AAC helps people of all ages (even those younger than 3 years old)! You can use AAC early. There are no thinking skills, test scores, or other milestones that you need to reach before AAC can help.
Talking and Motivation
A lot of people wonder if using AAC will stop someone from talking or will slow down language development. This is not true-research shows that AAC can actually help with these concerns! People who use AAC can also learn how to read and write.
Movement
You might wonder how someone can use AAC if they have trouble moving their arms and hands. There are many ways to use an AAC system besides touching it. Your SLP may work with occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) to find the best way for each person to use their AAC system.

You probably have other questions. The best person to talk to about AAC is an SLP. A good place to find an SLP who specializes in AAC is ASHA's Profind.

Other Resources

This list does not include every website on this topic. ASHA does not endorse the information on these sites.

To find an SLP near you, visit ProFind.

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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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If you're new to AAC, please watch this video! This is a great overview of what AAC is and what it may look like.

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What is AAC? Augmentative and Alternative Communication

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Low tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices may look like visuals or picture exchange communication systems (PECS) utilized to help students communicate.

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Can be targeted by counting on the device

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Modeling Core Vocabulary Within Shared Reading & AAC

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Coaching Flores: Discovering Voice with AAC

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High Tech vs. Low Tech with Pros and Cons

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High Tech vs. Low Tech with Pros and Cons

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The differences between no/low tech and high tech AAC devices

Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) refers to using a form of communication to supplement or replace spoken and/or written words. Varied types of devices are used to help speakers get their messages across. These are usually divided into the categories of "no/low-tech" devices and "high-tech" devices. A no/low-tech device requires something external to the person using it that is either non-electronic or a very simple electronic device. A high-tech device is a complex electronic device that permits the storage and retrieval of messages, many of which allow the use of speech output. These can also be called Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) or Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs).

Examples of no/low-tech communication strategies include PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), communication boards, communication books/notebooks, and communication wallets.
Benefits of no/low tech devices:

Can help facilitate early implementation of AAC

Low cost

Portability

(Note: it is ALWAYS good to have a low-tech AAC device to act as a backup to a person's high-tech device!)
Disadvantages of a no/low tech device:

Vocabulary is limited to the display in front of the user

Communicating complex ideas is difficult

Heavy reliance on communication partners due to a lack of voice or print output.

Due to the lack of symbols or vocabulary, a low-tech system could lead to an underestimation of the AAC user's abilities.

Examples of high-tech communication strategies include Ipads (with appropriate apps such as Proloquo2go), other tablets, eye gaze devices (such as Tobii Dynavox), or other electronic devices.
Advantages of high-tech devices:

Limitless options of vocabulary

Most have word prediction features at the phrase/sentence level

Auditory and visual feedback provided to user

Allows communication to occur at a distance
Allows the user to send messages without first obtaining the partners' attention through another mode

Additional options available (email, internet, phone, environmental controls)
Disadvantages of a high-tech device:

Most of these devices can cost thousands because they come with specialized software.

Technology breaks down and gets outdated (which is why it's always necessary to have a backup low-tech device!)

Lack of portability (in some cases)

Choosing a specific device for a loved one can be a challenging task. Various factors must be taken into consideration during the process, such as the person's physical abilities and limitations, their cognitive abilities and limitations, financial limitations, and what the device is needed for.
Resources:
Lecture: Dr. Cindy Arroyo, @ Adelphi University, 2017
https://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/assets/files/resources/aacasd.pdf https://ussaac.org/aac-info/aac-devices/
-Jessica Eberhart M.S., CF-SLP, TSSLD

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The differences between no/low tech and high tech AAC devices | Suffolk Center for Speech

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The differences between no/low tech and high tech AAC devices Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) refers to using a form of communication to supplement or replace spoken and/or written words. Varied types of devices are used to help speakers get their messages across. These are usually divided into the categories of "no/low-tech" devices and "high-tech" devices.

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AAC Implementation Reading a Book with a Language Board

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In word problems you can utilize key word identification just as you would with children who use verbalization to communicate. You can then utilize the math symbols which are located on their device to assist them working through word problems.

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There is a page for this as well! You can work on identifying money, and amounts right on their device!