Assistive Technology

About Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

You may have seen someone write in a notebook to answer a question. Maybe you have seen people using sign language or other gestures. You may have seen someone push buttons on a computer that speaks for them. These are all forms of augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC.

AAC includes all of the ways we share our ideas and feelings without talking. We all use forms of AAC every day. You use AAC when you use facial expressions or gestures instead of talking. You use AAC when you write a note and pass it to a friend or coworker. We may not realize how often we communicate without talking.

People with severe speech or language problems may need AAC to help them communicate. Some may use it all of the time. Others may say some words but use AAC for longer sentences or with people they don’t know well. AAC can help in school, at work, and when talking with friends and family.

Types of AAC

Do you or your loved one have difficulty talking? There are options that might help. There are two main types of AAC—unaided systems and aided systems. You may use one or both types. Most people who use AAC use a combination of AAC types to communicate.

Unaided Systems

You do not need anything but your own body to use unaided systems. These include gestures, body language, facial expressions, and sign language.

Aided Systems

An aided system uses some sort of tool or device. There are two types of aided systems—basic and high-tech. A pen and paper is a basic aided system. Pointing to letters, words, or pictures on a board is a basic aided system. Touching letters or pictures on a computer screen that speaks for you is a high-tech aided system. Some of these speech-generating devices, or SGDs, can speak in different languages.

Working With A Speech-Language Pathologist

An SLP will test how well you or your loved one can speak and understand. The SLP can help find the right AAC system for you. You may use a basic system first and may need it for only a short time. This may happen if you had mouth surgery or a stroke and your speech comes back.

It may take some time to get a more high-tech system, if you need one. Not every device works for every person, so it is important to find the right one for you. The Information for AAC Users webpage has more information about finding the best AAC system. Insurance or other funding can help you pay for your AAC device.

See ASHA information for professionals on the Practice Portal’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication page.

Other Resources

This list does not include every website on this topic. ASHA does not endorse the information on these sites.

Taken from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/AAC/

    
 
 
      Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son has been a client here for about 2 years he gets Ot and speech therapy once a week. He  has speech with Celest, she’s the best always makes therapy fun and more like a playdate then therapy 😊 He has made so much progress since starting with her. When he first started his vocabulary was very small and he now is able to communicate with us in full sentences. I know it is only gonna get better and I’m so thankful. All the staff is friendly and I would recommend this place to anyone
  
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   sonya garcia 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son Alex has been attending for over one year and he is doing very well. His teacher Celeste is very patient and studies him to help him improve.  My son is only 3 years old but the activities they used to interact and learn with are very interesting to him and keeps his attention for long periods of time. What I’m also impressed with are the techniques they give to the parents in order to keep practicing and learning throughout the week. With Celeste’s hard work and dedication, we continue to see Alex express himself properly and continue to build his vocabulary.
  
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   Lotsa Stuffa 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My Son has been going to DV therapy for over a year now. He really enjoys his time with Meghan! It’s been an especially hard time in the last few months with COVID but Meghan has stayed consistent and has been doing a great job with teletherapy. We can’t thank her enough for all the hard work she has continued to do during these hard times!
  
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   Aury Chamale 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have had the good fortune of working with Celeste twice a week for the last couple of months. When my daughter was referred to speech therapy, it was to focus on her annunciation. We attended a couple of sessions in person, but found that the online sessions were not only just as effective, but with the pandemic and all the necessary precautions, they were more effective and made us feel safer. Celeste is friendly and engaging as well as very skilled at her job. My daughter says she loves working with her and that she really likes the computer games that she has to help her practice saying her sounds. The techniques Celeste is teaching my daughter translate well to the online platform if not better because the games are really engaging and she has the whole internet at her disposal.

Outside of session, I’ve seen my daughter practice the skills she is learning at home with me and our family. Her pronunciation is noticeably improving, and I know it is because of the hard work Celeste and my daughter are putting into her speech therapy. I’m really grateful that even though this pandemic has resulted in us pulling our daughter out of preschool, she is still able to receive these services to help prepare her for kindergarten. I not only highly recommend DV Therapy Services, but also online services if they are available
  
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   Luanne Hernandez-Storr 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Im beyond happy with the services my daughter is receiving. Her therapist Lupe has done an amazing job, from keeping her entertained during her in-person and Telehealth visit. Staff is super friendly and very welcoming :-)
  
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   Ness M 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son receives  therapy with DV therapy from school. They are amazing! Eddie Chu one of the therapist  worked with my son, he is patient, very dedicated to his work and friendly. He has an amazing ways working with kiddos.
  
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   Sparrowhawk Jr 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter has been going to DV Speech therapy for over a month now and we’ve seen tremendous improvements in her speech and communication. Thank you to Mariah and the rest of DV speech therapy!
  
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   Angel Miranda 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mariah has been amazing in the four virtual sessions that we’ve had thus far. We have noticed that our 18 month old is interacting more with us and has started to be more vocal during our interactions. We have learned different techniques that will help with our child’s development. We appreciate her attentiveness, enthusiasm that she brings as well as the feedback that she has provided. We look forward to our child’s continued development with Mariah’s help.
  
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   Jonathan Luna 
 
 
 
 
     Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My two daughters have been receiving speech therapy @ DV Therapy. The receptionist was always nice and helpful. Mariah is awesome! My daughters had a hard time staying focused during Tele-sessions BUT as soon as they started having sessions with Mariah they actually started to engage in session. My kids love having tele-sessions with her and call her “My friend”. Both my girls have improved speech. Thank you Mariah for always being flexible and knowing how to engage my little ones during session.
  
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   Diana Unknown