Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices can be a great tool to help children communicate their wants, needs, feelings and ideas. AAC refers to all of the different ways that someone can communicate without using verbal speech. There are both low-tech and high-tech options for AAC. Low tech options include pointing to pictures, drawing, writing, and other non-technological forms of communicating. High-tech refers to using an app on a tablet to communicate or another form of a speech generating device. It can be a difficult decision to make when deciding whether or not your child will benefit from a high-tech AAC device. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about AAC devices and the realities of them.
- AAC will prevent a child from using verbal speech- False.
- The introduction of AAC does not hinder spoken language. In fact, research has shown that AAC actually enhances the child’s understanding and use of language. Miller, Light and Schlosser (2006) conducted a study where they assessed the “effects of AAC of speech production in children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified.” This study found that participants demonstrated an 89% increase in speech production, 11% had no change in speech production and 0% had a decrease in speech production.
- A child can be too young for AAC- False.
- There is no evidence to suggest that children must be a certain age to benefit from AAC. There are no prerequisites for communication necessary to use AAC. AAC positively impacts communication, cognition, reading skills and language. Evidence has shown that early learning experiences during the first three years of life can lay the foundation for later brain development. This suggests that using AAC at a young age can also lead to long term health and communication benefits.
- AAC isn’t necessary for a child who already has some speech- False.
- Many AAC users do in fact have some speech. However, some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether AAC is right for your child are; “is their speech functional enough to participate in daily activities of life?” and “does their speech help them to learn and develop their language and literacy skills?” If the answer is no, then it is likely that your child can benefit from multimodal communication. While having basic wants and needs met is extremely important, there is more to communication than just having needs met. Below are the four purposes for communication:
- Wants and Needs- includes asking for basic needs that the individual wants (e.g. food, toys, television, bathroom).
- Information Transfer- includes sharing information (e.g., answering personal questions, how to get home, how to do something).
- Social Etiquette- includes greetings, polite words, phrases (thank you, please, you’re welcome).
- Social Closeness- messages that help to deepen social relationships (e.g., stories, compliments, asking questions, and providing feedback).
- Many AAC users do in fact have some speech. However, some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether AAC is right for your child are; “is their speech functional enough to participate in daily activities of life?” and “does their speech help them to learn and develop their language and literacy skills?” If the answer is no, then it is likely that your child can benefit from multimodal communication. While having basic wants and needs met is extremely important, there is more to communication than just having needs met. Below are the four purposes for communication:
- AAC is the final resort after traditional therapy has run its course- False.
- AAC and traditional therapy can be used together to help advance communication skills. Introducing AAC early can help the child to meet their needs while also serving as a therapeutic tool to work on verbal speech.
- Low tech AAC must be targeted before trying high tech AAC- False.
- A child’s success rate with a low-tech AAC system such as a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or another low-tech communication board is not indicative of a child’s success with a high-tech AAC. In fact, a child can often have more success with high tech AAC simply because they are more motivated by modern, high-tech devices. Additionally, high tech devices produce speech output which can serve as a cue for a child’s personal speech or can supplement their own speech.
To learn more about AAC and whether it is right for your child visit the ASHA website
