ATLA

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

"Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) are the words used to describe extra ways of helping people who find it hard to communicate by speech or writing. AAC helps them to communicate more easily.

AAC includes many different methods. Signing and gesture do not need any extra bits and pieces and are called unaided systems. Others use picture charts, books and special computers. These are called aided systems. AAC can help people understand what is said to them as well as being able to say and write what they want".  ISAAC

Who can benefit from using augmentative communication?

"Anyone who finds it very difficult to communicate by just speech may be helped by using AAC. Lots of different AAC methods are used by people of all ages, with physical or learning difficulties. Some people use AAC just to communicate. Other people use AAC to help them understand what is being said to them.  Some people need to use AAC because of something that happened when they were born – people with cerebral palsy or learning disabilities. Other people start to use AAC when they are older. This can be because they have had a stoke or a brain injury or a disease. Any disability that makes it difficult for the person to communicate may find AAC methods helpful. For some people, AAC is just used for a short time such as after an operation. Other people use AAC all their lives."  ISAAC

What are the Prerequisites for AAC?

There are no prerequisites to beginning to use AAC.  Everyone has the right to "develop functional communication skills", to request or reject objects and actions, make choices, make their wants and needs know, express feelings, and to have their communication acts acknowledged and responded to.  "There are prerequisite skills an augmented communicator should demonstrate before he/she is given access to a sophisticated AAC device."  Initial intervention strategies may include teaching object recognition and developing choice-making skills. Gestures and signs may be introduced when indicated. As symbolic skills improve, intervention activities will often focus around use of symbols to express simple and complex messages." USSAAC