What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication?
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AAC is essentially any type of communication, such as pointing, selecting symbols/pictures, text to speech devices, that is not oral speech. Children who do not develop expressive language typically may benefit from AAC to help supplement what they are able to do on their own, and to help them continue to grow. Many adults use it as well, either because they have used it their whole life to communicate or because of some type of neurological or physical change that impaired their ability to speak. Within our school system, AAC is categorized under the umbrella of "Assistive Technology" or AT. AAC can take on many different forms and can be low tech or high tech.
Will the use of AAC hinder the speech or language development of your child??
Research has shown that the use of AAC will NOT hinder the development of spoken language. It can be a great tool to help kids establish a functional way to get their basic want/needs met in order to decrease possibile frustration while they continue to develop spoken language. It can allow them to build connections with others, socialize, and participate in group activities in ways that they may not be able to without it. We initially strive to teach kids how to comment, request, and reject using AAC; that way they can tell us their thoughts, what they want, and, equally as important, tell us what they don't want! For more information on the research that supports the use of AAC, please click on this link: https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/roadblock-aac-will-stop-a-person-from-learning-to-speak
What should you work on at home?
What to work on at home varies depending on your child and their abilities. If you are not sure where to start, please reach out to me so we can brainstorm more together about your child and what you can do with him/her at home! That being said, all children benefit from a language rich environment so please look at the Language page on this website for ideas for different activities. You can sing songs, play, listen to online stories, read together, etc. You can use their device or picture choices/symbols to help them participate and answer questions or name things!
If your child is using AAC to communicate completely, or using it to supplement the verbal or non-verbal communication they are continuing to develop, it is incredibly helpful if you model how to use their device or picture symbols to communicate by "talking" to them by using the same system you are trying to teach them. You absolutely can continue to pair the verbal utterance with the utterance you are creating by using the AAC. (i.e. if your child has "eat" and "cookie" on their communication board, you could say "eat cookie" as you touch the symbol for eat as you say that word and the symbol for cookie as you say that word. Is is okay if you do not always have a picture to represent every single word in your spoken utterance as you a modeling.) "Talking" to and with your child using their device or communication board is called "modeling" and it is really important to their continued language and communication development.
Click on this visual scene* display that organizes many of the AAC Coach's handouts for ways to model AAC in different places of the home!
*Visual Scene created by Emily Hurd.
Additional resources:
I highly suggest you follow this woman on Facebook. Her advice is easy to understand and quick to read!
A FB page, with helpful information about using AAC.
"Is your child stuck using single words or having a hard time creating sentences? This video outlines how to be more strategic with the vocabulary you are choosing and why a "Core Word" approach helps children start speaking in sentences beyond simple requests like "I want.""- Rachel Madel
Some of these Apps are for adults or are for SLP use only, but most can be used at home by parents too!