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Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

ASHA, the American Speech and Hearing Association, defines AAC as “all the ways that someone communicates besides talking.”

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What Is ASHA?

AAC

AAC is short for augmentative & alternative communication it is a form of assistive technology that supplements spoken speech.

 

This from of assistive technology is primarily described as the user's "voice" and should be with them at all times. AAC can be divided into two categories, aided or unaided. Aided meaning requiring physical materials and unaided meaning without supplemental materials. 

Aided

Most aided AAC is considered high-tech that includes an electronic device that generates speech. There are some that are considered low tech, for example, picture cards. Aided AAC includes any external interface, regardless of technology application. 

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  • Speech Generating Devices

  • AAC Mobile apps 

  • Tablets

  • Computers

  • Communication Boards

  • Picture cards 

Unaided

Unaided AAC methods are considered low-tech. ​Low-tech simply means without the use of electronic technology or external interface. 

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  • Sign Language

  • Gestures

  • Facial Expressions

  • Body Language

Is it High or Low-tech?

Communication board are an example of aided and low-tech AAC.
Using a tablet as a form of AAC is an example of aided and high-tech.
Picture cards are an example of aided and low-tech AAC
Smiling, because it is a facial expression can let a receiver know what the sender is trying to conv
Communicating through sign language is an example of unaided and low-tech AAC.

* It is important to understand that AAC can be either high or low tech as well as being aided or unaided. Click to see how well you can identify the differences!

AAC is Everywhere!

AAC is not limited to individuals with disability. It is for anyone! Due to its diverse applications, its exact prevalence is difficult to identify. ASHA has identified some research where the prevalence of AAC was noted. 

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​Statements from ASHA

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According to ASHA, it is estimated that over 2 million people with expressive language impairments utilize forms of AAC. Below I have listed AAC's prevalence amongst diverse populations. These statements are derived from ASHA's research on AAC prevalence. 

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In the United States, special education teachers reported that students who need communication supports comprise of 18.2% of their students (SGD; Andzik et al., 2018). This number is expected to have grown since there has been increased research on intervention methods. 

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​In 2020, 44.4% children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy in Sweden used a form of AAC as a form of assistive technology (Kristoffersson et al. 2020).

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At the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics review of medical records, 33% of ICU patients met the criteria for the utilization of an AAC device (Zubow & Hurtig, 2013).​

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To read more information on AAC prevalence defined by ASHA click below!

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