Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Augmentative and alternative communication provides another form of communicating, other than speaking orally, to express ones thoughts, needs or ideas. AAC devices are especially important to people who may have severe speech and language disabilities.
AAC devices can provide pictures or symbols on a communication board or electronic device to help people express themselves. Almost everyone uses a form of a AAC daily, such as using gestures, waving, or pointing. |
Three Types of AAC
No-Tech CommunicationNo-tech communication means no use of additional equipment or technologies. Examples include:
- body language - pointing - gestures - facial expressions - vocalization - signing |
Low-Tech CommunicationLow-tech communication means that the technology does not need a battery to operate. Examples include:
- pen and paper - alphabet and word boards - communication charts or books with pictures - photos -symbols |
High-Tech CommunicationHigh-tech communication needs a battery to be powered. Most forms speak or produce text. Examples include:
- buttons or pages that speak when touched - may be used on tablets, smart phones, or laptops |
Videos of Different Types of AAC Devices Being Applied
|
|
|
Applications for Tablets
1. Touch Chat
*Provides images and symbols of common emotion, requests or responses.
*Users can also type in their own custom text.
*Words are read aloud by a preprogrammed voice
*Good for students who are unable to communicate verbally, for ages 5 and up.
2. AutisMate
*Uses symbols and pictures to help users express their thoughts.
*Has a unique feature where users can take pictures of surrounding environments. When these pictures are pressed, common phrases associated with that scene will appear.
*Can also display video.
*Can customize to display visual routines and schedules.
3. Avaz
*Provides communication through pictured tiles of actions, descriptions, and common statements.
*Can customize words through a keyboard and text to voice functions
*Uses can construct sentences that will be read aloud.
*Easy application to navigate with useful vocabulary which makes it useful for younger ages of 4 and up.
*Provides images and symbols of common emotion, requests or responses.
*Users can also type in their own custom text.
*Words are read aloud by a preprogrammed voice
*Good for students who are unable to communicate verbally, for ages 5 and up.
2. AutisMate
*Uses symbols and pictures to help users express their thoughts.
*Has a unique feature where users can take pictures of surrounding environments. When these pictures are pressed, common phrases associated with that scene will appear.
*Can also display video.
*Can customize to display visual routines and schedules.
3. Avaz
*Provides communication through pictured tiles of actions, descriptions, and common statements.
*Can customize words through a keyboard and text to voice functions
*Uses can construct sentences that will be read aloud.
*Easy application to navigate with useful vocabulary which makes it useful for younger ages of 4 and up.
For more information or to shop AAC devices, click on these links:
*ASHA is the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
*The ASHA association offers more insight into how speech-language pathologists and other specialists use AAC devices.
*It also offers advocacy for speech, language and hearing disorders for each state and updated regulations.
*Offers information on different types of speech, language and hearing disorders.
*Provides new research related to speech, language and hearing.
*The ASHA association offers more insight into how speech-language pathologists and other specialists use AAC devices.
*It also offers advocacy for speech, language and hearing disorders for each state and updated regulations.
*Offers information on different types of speech, language and hearing disorders.
*Provides new research related to speech, language and hearing.