"AAC" which stands for "Augmentative and Alternative Communication” is when a person uses something other than verbal speech to communicate. For children with disability or developmental delay who experience challenges with using verbal speech, AAC can help them to express their thoughts, needs, opinions or feelings and engage in the world around them.

At Xavier, our speech pathology team work with children and families using different types of AAC to meet the unique needs of each child.

Types of AAC

Unaided AAC does not require external tools or materials. Individuals use whatever is available to them to express themselves. Unaided AAC includes:

• Sign language
• Facial expressions and body language
• Gestures

Aided AAC requires external tools which can be light-tech or high-tech:

• Light-tech AAC includes tools such as picture communication boards and communication books with symbols or texts
• High-tech AAC includes things such as speech-generating devices or AAC apps on an iPad/tablet

Who benefits from AAC?

AAC may benefit people of all ages including:

• Individuals whose speech is developing
• Individuals who have not developed verbal speech (e.g. non-speaking)
• Individuals whose speech may be unclear or difficult to understand
• If verbal speech is deteriorating or lost
• When verbal speech is not able to be reliably used to communicate all their communication needs

AAC can help children to develop communication skills, reduce frustration, and participate more actively in social interactions.

Examples of AAC

Light-tech AAC

• Core word boards – A laminated board with common words and symbols for pointing or touching.
• Communication books- A collection of pictures, symbols, or words that a child can point to. For example a PODD communication book

Mid-tech AAC

• Big Mack Switch – A single-button device that plays a recorded message (e.g., "I want a snack").
• GoTalk devices – Portable communication devices with buttons that play pre-recorded messages.
• Step-by-Step communicators – Allows the child to record and play multiple messages in sequence.

High-tech AAC

• iPads with communication apps – Popular AAC apps like Proloquo2Go, LAMP Words for Life, TouchChat with WordPower, and TD Snap Pagesets enable users to express themselves.
• Dedicated speech-generating devices – Specialised AAC devices come with built-in language systems, offering robust and reliable communication solutions.

Alternative access methods

Users can interact with light or high-tech AAC through various input options, including direct touch, eye gaze, head pointing, joystick, mouse control, or switch access, ensuring accessibility for individuals with physical differences.

Choosing the right AAC tool

Your child’s Speech Pathologist will make recommendations for AAC based on your child’s specific needs. They will work with you to select the right AAC tools that can support your child and their communication goals.