What is AAC?

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC, is a system used to enhance communication as an alternative means of verbal expression.  

Believe it or not we use augmentative communication, perhaps, during every conversation we have. Un-aided systems use the person’s body to convey a message. This includes body language, gestures and sign language.  

Aided systems use exterior tools or equipment to convey a message. Paper, pencils or visuals are all considered aided systems. This is broken down into low-tech & high-tech systems.  

• Low Tech: a non-electric system includes visuals & language symbol boards. Boards can have a variety of pictures on them, including core vocabulary such as "go", "help", "want" and fringe vocabulary, which is used to describe individual interests, such as "Star Wars", "music", "swinging".  

• High Tech: an electronic system typically with a verbal output component (e.g., the user touches a button, and a message is verbally conveyed) also known as a "speech generating device". There are a variety of communication programs that can be used on these devices!  

Using any of these systems is not an either-or decision. Children may use a variety of different systems to communicate!