Augmentative/Alternative Communication

While most of us think of speech and verbal language when we think about communication, there are a variety of means of communication for individuals who do not have the ability to develop or functionally use verbal speech. Alternative or augmentative communication (AAC) involves using additional means of communication to supplement or replace verbal speech.

AAC includes both aided and unaided symbol systems.

• An aided system uses an additional transmission device which may be low-tech or high-tech. Low-tech systems include pictures, photographs, objects, line-drawings, icons, picture boards and communication books (e.g. PECS). High-tech systems include computer programs and voice output devices.
• An unaided system is a system which only requires the communicator's body to produce. Unaided AAC systems include sign language, gestures and other body movements such as eye blinks or hand squeezes.

Often low-tech aided systems and unaided systems are incorporated in language therapy to increase a client's communicative competence. For more sophisticated AAC systems, referral to and evaluation by an SLP specializing in AAC is necessary.