What is AAC?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices are tools that support communication by giving people multiple ways to express themselves — through symbols, text, sound, or speech output. They don’t replace a person’s voice, they amplify it in the way that works best for them.
What Are AAC Devices?
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Augmentative means adding to a person’s existing speech, like using gestures or pictures to make communication clearer.
Alternative means providing a different way to communicate when speech is not possible or understandable.
AAC devices can be high-tech, such as tablets, computers, or dedicated machines that can speak messages out loud when a user selects words, pictures, or letters.
How Do AAC Devices Help?
Expressing Needs and Ideas: AAC devices allow users to share their thoughts, needs, wants, and feelings, even if they cannot speak.
Reducing Frustration: By giving users a reliable way to communicate, AAC devices help reduce the frustration that comes from not being understood.
Supporting Language Development: Using AAC does not stop someone from learning to speak; in fact, it can help develop language and communication skills.
Flexibility: Some people use AAC devices all the time, while others might need them only in certain situations, such as after surgery or during recovery from an illness.
Independence and Inclusion: AAC devices help individuals participate more fully in school, work, and social activities, making it easier to connect with others.
Who Uses AAC Devices?
People of all ages who have difficulty with speech, including children with developmental disabilities, adults who have lost speech due to injury or disease, and anyone whose speech is unreliable or hard to understand.
AAC is not just for people with one specific condition; it can help anyone who struggles with spoken communication.
