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About Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been defined by the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC):

“AAC is a set of tools and strategies that an individual uses to solve everyday communicative challenges. Communication can take many forms such as: speech, a shared glance, text, gestures, facial expressions, touch, sign language, symbols, pictures, speech-generating devices, etc. Everyone uses multiple forms of communication, based upon the context and our communication partner. Effective communication occurs when the intent and meaning of one individual is understood by another person. The form is less important than the successful understanding of the message”

AAC covers a huge range of techniques which support, or replace, spoken communication.

These include:

There is no ‘best’ type of AAC system. Each has pros and cons – the most suitable one for an individual will depend on their personal preference, situation and their abilities and needs. Specialist assessment will help to identify the most appropriate AAC system(s).

Children, Family, Health Devon and Vranch House School offer an AAC Speech and Language Therapy Service. We carry out AAC assessment and intervention, AAC trials, recommendations and bespoke training.

For more information on AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (Torbay and Devon) – An introduction (hee.nhs.uk)

All referrals are made by Single Point of Access: Referral forms – Children and Family Health Devon

Please fill in the ‘General Speech, Language and Communication’ referral form and accompanying ‘complex needs triage checklist’ on the same link: Communication, Language and Literacy Branch Map

Children who are likely to benefit from AAC are those who are non-speaking or who have limited speech which is mostly unintelligible.

We promote a Total Communication approach.

Children referred to the service benefit from using low-tech alongside high-tech systems. Low tech may be a more appropriate approach for some children. Low tech may include objects of reference, signing including Makaton: https://www.makaton.org/, use of photos and symbols, core word boards, communication books.

 

The CFHD and Vranch AAC Service will provide the child’s team with training, advice and guidance to support the introduction to low-tech and/or high-tech AAC. These appointments may take place virtually.

Lots of our information has been taken from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RSCLT) website – https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/augmentative-and-alternative-communication/#section-1

> Communication Matters

> International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication