AAC Basics
AAC tools/supports help someone communicate when they don't speak. These include gestures, facial expressions, communication boards, and devices that speak aloud. An evaluation by a specialist in AAC should be done to determine the best system for each person.
A child can point to a picture or word representing what they are trying to tell someone.
Source: Lessonpix.com
Pictures can also be used as visual supports. A picture schedule of simple daily routines shows your child what is happening next so they don't have to guess. Seeing their day laid out in pictures can lower frustration and help make transitions easier for the whole family.
Can't print? Take pictures on your phone to show your child what is next.
Are you wondering if AAC will make it harder for your child to speak? Research tells us that giving a child another way to communicate reduces frustration, teaches language, and encourages speaking aloud if they can.
Just like we don't wait for a baby to speak before talking to them, children don't need to prove any skills before they try a communication tool.
AAC is for anyone who struggles to speak—from children who cannot make sounds yet, to those who can say words but don't quite understand how to use them to talk to others. For some, these tools are temporary. For others, it may be a more long term way to communicate.