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AAC Resources

What is AAC?

According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), "Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. Some people use AAC throughout their life. Others may use AAC only for a short time, like when they have surgery and can’t talk."

AAC is typically split by levels of technology. 

  • No Tech AAC - Anything that you can do to help your communication that does not involve any external supports. This includes facial expression, gestures, and sign language. This is sometimes called unaided AAC.

  • Low Tech AAC - Communication aids that do not require batteries. This includes visual supports, eye gaze or e-tran boards, core boards, writing, spelling, pointing to pictures, etc.

  • Mid Tech AAC - Communication tools that require standard batteries (e.g., AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, etc.). These include recordable buttons like communication switches (e.g., Big Macs, Big Talk Triple Plays, Talking Brix, etc.). These are typically devices with some sort of voice output (e.g., a GoTalk, TwinTalks, etc.).

  • High Tech AAC - These are devices like iPads or tablets that have specific communication programs on them. Some high tech devices may be accessed using touch or eye gaze. Apps on these devices include communication programs such as Proloquo2Go, LAMP, TD Snap, TouchChat, Avaz, and more.

You may also see AAC listed as "aided" or "unaided".

  • Aided AAC - Any method of communication that uses a tool that is not a part of the user's body. This includes writing, switches, and most mid- and high-tech AAC.
  • Unaided AAC - Any method of communication that uses only the communicator's body. This includes blinking, speaking, and sign language.