AAC: What? Why? Who?

What is AAC?

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. AAC is any type of communication, which is not speech. An AAC system is the group of communication strategies that a person uses. AAC systems are different for each person to meet his or her individual needs.  One person’s AAC system might consist of body language, signing, a communication board, and a voice output communication aid. AAC can be aided (eg. communication board, voice output communication aid) or unaided (eg. body language, signing). 

Why use AAC?

AAC may be used to supplement speech or used as the main communication strategy if speech is not an option.  It can also assist a person with complex communication needs to understand his or her communication partner.  By providing an effective way for someone to communicate, AAC increases the person’s opportunity for social relationships, community involvement, education, employment and independence.

Who uses AAC?

We all use AAC in one form or another. We smile, we gesture with our hands, and we send text messages or emails.  In fact, speech conveys just 35% of our overall message . People who have complex communication needs often depend on AAC as their main method of communication. This means they do not have enough speech to meet their communication needs. They might have little or no speech, or speech that is difficult for others to understand.

Adults, adolescents and children use AAC.  Its use may be temporary or long-term. Early use of AAC may help a child with delayed language to communicate until he or she develops functional speech.  It may be used temporarily in acute situations such as after an operation. However, the long-term use of AAC is usually associated with people who have ongoing complex communication needs. This includes people who are born with disabilities (eg. cerebral palsy or intellectual disability) or people with acquired disabilities (eg. motor neurone disease or stroke).