What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

As I walked down the breakwall the other day, listening to the waves and conversations around me, I heard the sound of a computerised voice say; “It is such a beautiful day”. I turned to look and saw the smile of a young female who was looking up at her conversational partner, holding in her lap a device that had just uttered those words. I could see a few people look curiously towards where the sound came from, and displayed a look of confusion and interest as they sighted the device. Even as a speech pathologist, this was one of the first times I had seen and heard someone using a device to help them communicate outside of the clinic or home setting. How absolutely fantastic. And judging by the looks of the people around me, how very unknown! 

So, what was this wonderful device this young female was utilising? It is called an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device or AAC device for short. To find out more, read on as I answer a few key questions associated with AAC.

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

As mentioned above, the young lady I saw at the beach was using an AAC device to communicate with her conversational partner. AAC is an acronym that stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and broadly speaking, it refers to the ways people can express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas even when they have significant difficulty or are unable to verbally communicate them. If we break down the words in the acronym, we can see what it means: 

• Augment (the base word of augmentative). This means to make greater, or enhance
• Alternative, which means choice, or different
• Communication, which means to share or receive information 

Putting it together, AAC means giving or enhancing the ability for a person to share their thoughts with others in ways that are not just speech. 

What are the Different Types of AAC?

There are so many different types of AAC out in the world depending on the needs of each person. However, we can break the options down into two main categories. These are: 

• Low Tech / No Tech: This refers to AAC that requires very little (or absolutely no) technology. Examples include facial expressions, signing with Key Word Sign or Australian Sign Language; pointing, writing, or drawing messages on paper or a board.
• High Tech: This refers to AAC that requires the use of a technological system or technology. Examples of these include iPads, computers, an electrolarynx, or other speech generating devices (for example, Stephen Hawking’s very famous voice).

Can You Only Use AAC if You Can’t Talk? 

Not at all! AAC can be used to meet the needs of people with a wide range of communication challenges. Although some people who use AAC may be unable to verbalise their words (such as people with disabilities that affect their speech; or people recovering from surgery), AAC’s function is to also enhance the communication that is already being used. You can talk AND use AAC at the same time!

As a verbal communicator, you might find yourself doing it already. Every time you use big facial expressions with your words, or write down your key points whilst you’re presenting in a meeting, it can be considered AAC.

Will AAC Inhibit Talking? 

Again, not at all! There is a common misconception that the use of AAC (even such as using Australian Sign Language) will inhibit or discourage a person (especially children) from using verbal speech. Research has shown that using AAC (even high-tech AAC that creates speech output for communicators) has led to increased ability to verbally request items previously requested on a device (Alzrayer, Wood, & Voggt, 2020).

Similarly, it has been proven that AAC use can improve single-word vocabulary skills and expression of multi-word/symbol utterances (Allen, Schlosser, Brock, & Shane, 2017). At its core, AAC helps develop and use existing language skills, not inhibit them!  

Most importantly, however, is recognising that talking is NOT the only form of communication, nor necessarily the most important one. 

How Do I Talk to Someone with AAC? 

It can be nerve wracking to talk to someone who is using a different ‘output’ method to you. Each person is different, but the two most important points would be:  

• Never assume that a person’s intelligence is less because they use a different method of communication! Talk to someone using AAC like you would someone who was using speech. 
• Give an AAC user the time to respond. If an AAC user is writing, pointing to pages, or using a speech generator, it can take a little longer than it would to just verbalise their response. Wait patiently, and listen. 

Do You Have to be Trained in AAC? 

AAC can be a complex area of communication, and it can be beneficial to work with a speech pathologist who has trained in a particular AAC device/method. Teaching a person how to use AAC is a whole team effort, as it is not just the AAC user who needs to be competent in using the method or device. The listeners or conversational partners do too! It helps to have a speech pathologist who knows about AAC, or at least feels comfortable in exploring it with you. 

What Can I Do If I Think My Child Needs to Use AAC? 

If you have any concerns about your child’s communication, or have been told they need to be using AAC, it’s important that you talk to your speech pathologist. AAC can be a complex journey that requires planning for both the right now, and the future.

At A Growing Understanding, we believe that communication access is vital for all to participate in everyday life. AAC methods and devices can help children find heir ‘voice’ and grow their confidence, and it is because of this that many of our speech pathologists are proficient and experienced in undertaking the AAC journey with you and your family. To help your child communicate their needs and wants regardless of their communication difficulties, we encourage you to chat with our friendly team today.