What is AAC therapy?

AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It can include gestures, signs, picture boards, communication books, speech-generating devices, tablet apps, written words, or a combination of tools.

AAC is more than a device

A strong AAC plan looks at the person, their body, their routines, and the communication partners around them. The goal is for communication to work at home, school, therapy, and in the community.

Who may benefit from AAC?

AAC may help children, teens, or adults with few spoken words, inconsistent speech, speech that is hard to understand, autism-related communication needs, apraxia, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, aphasia, dysarthria, or developmental delays.

What AAC therapy works on

Therapy may include system trials, vocabulary planning, device access, caregiver coaching, school carryover, and practice with real messages like help, stop, more, break, all done, I want, I feel, and tell me more.

Will AAC stop speech?

AAC does not mean giving up on speech. Many people use speech and AAC together. AAC gives another reliable way to communicate while speech and language skills continue to develop.