In speech therapy, AAC stands for "Augmentative and Alternative Communication." AAC offers a way to communicate with people who have trouble talking or expressing themselves using spoken words.
AAC techniques range from very high-tech to very simple. Let’s take a look at some of the easiest forms of AAC and move toward some of today’s cutting-edge technologies.
Picture boards with symbols representing words or ideas are a traditional way of using AAC for communication. To communicate, users point to the symbol that corresponds with the need, feeling, or direction that they want to express.
You may have seen AAC boards in use at your local playground. Similarly, AAC communication books have pictures, symbols, or words. Children or adults can flip through the book and point to what they want to say.
Technology is also changing the way people use AAC devices. Some AAC devices can generate speech using a screen or buttons; when someone selects pre-programmed words or phrases, the device speaks the words out loud.
Some computer programs or apps can also turn typed text into spoken words. So, if someone types a message—using their fingers or even their eye gaze—the computer or app says it for them.
And for people who are deaf or have trouble with spoken language, sign language can be used as a form of AAC.
The goal of AAC is to find the best way for each person to communicate based on their abilities and preferences. Speech therapists work with individuals and their families to figure out which AAC methods and tools will work best for them. AAC helps improve communication skills and expression, leading to overall positive changes in quality of life.
Childhood conditions that can benefit from the use of AAC
· Cerebral Palsy
· Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
· Developmental Apraxia of Speech (DAS)
· Down Syndrome
· Rett Syndrome
· Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
· Hearing Impairments
· Intellectual Disabilities
AAC Device Training and Learning At All 4 Therapy LLC
All 4 Therapy can help with AAC device training, whether you’re using traditional solutions like books or AAC boards, or high-tech solutions like tablets and apps. Our goal is to pinpoint the best possible AAC solution for our clients’ communication needs.
How AAC Can Make A Difference
When communication runs more smoothly, life can sometimes seem a little bit easier. ACC communication therapies can help with:
· Doctor appointments
· School
· Mealtimes
· Bedtime
· Social events (from playdates to weddings)
· Outdoor playtime
· Vacations
· And so much more
AAC For Adults
Often, adults discover that their quality of life improves with the use of an AAC machine or other tools. Here are a few of the common conditions that may cause an adult to need an AAC machine or device for communication.
· Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
· Cerebral Palsy
· Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
· Stroke (resulting in aphasia or other communication difficulties)
· Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
· Parkinson's Disease
· Muscular Dystrophy
· Guillain-Barré Syndrome
· Huntington's Disease
· Locked-in Syndrome
· Spinal Cord Injury (with resulting paralysis or impaired speech)
· Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
· Brainstem Stroke
· Motor Neuron Disease
· Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
Adults who have lost some of their former communication abilities often feel relieved to know that they can use an AAC machine to “speak” their needs or even maintain some independence.
Read More About AAC
At All 4 Therapy, we are honored to work with both children and adults, and their caregivers. We can help integrate new tools or refine the use of current tools. We are able to offer both virtual and in-person sessions for AAC learning.
This article is the first in a series of blog posts about AAC communication strategies and therapies. We invite you to reach out to us to learn more, and in the meantime, keep watching for future posts!
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