What do parents need to know about pediatric Augmentative and Alternative Communication (or AAC)? AAC includes a variety of well-researched techniques that can help children of all ages to effectively communicate and build speech/language skills. From no and low-tech options to high-tech augmentative methods, read on for more information on what AAC is, who can use it, how your child could benefit from it, and more!
What Is AAC?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication includes communication without the use of verbal speech. AAC encompasses a variety of different methods and can help children to compensate for temporary or permanent speech and communication impairments or disorders.
To better understand what AAC is, and how it may help your child, think about the individual parts of the name. Augmentative—or adding to. In AAC, this means adding to (augmenting) speech with other forms of communication. The alternative part of AAC refers to these other forms of communication. Instead of spoken words, the alternatives include non-verbal methods and ways of communication that children may use or understand.
Can Anyone Benefit From AAC?
Many children with communication difficulties can benefit from AAC. There isn’t one typical child who should use AAC or one universal speech/language disorder that AAC can help with. Some children may have short-term speech and language needs. But others may need to use AAC for longer periods of time or indefinitely. The reasons for choosing and using AAC vary, but may include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental apraxia of speech, intellectual disabilities, trauma-related issues, and some types of progressive conditions.
While these are common reasons for a child to use AAC, this isn’t a finite list. Any disorder, condition, disease, or injury that affects a child’s ability to effectively communicate through verbal language may make them a possible candidate for AAC training.
Are there different kinds of aac?
There are two primary categories of AAC that parents need to understand. These include unaided and aided methods.
Unaided AAC is exactly what the name sounds like. These types of AAC methods are no-tech options such as gestures, facial expressions, manual signs, finger spelling, body language, or vocalizations.
Aided AAC is a broad category that you can break down into two sub-groups—no/low-tech and high-tech assisted. No or low-tech AAC differs from unaided AAC in the use of physical aids. Instead of the human body, no/low-tech aided AAC may include communication boards, picture cards, books, visual schedules, or the written word. High-tech aided AAC requires the use of tablets and apps, text-to-speech devices, or similar electronic media.
What Is the Goal of Pediatric AAC?
Why should you consider AAC for your child? To answer this question, you need to understand the overarching goals of AAC.
AAC can help children with complex speech, language, and communication needs to engage in typical daily activities. These include anything from sibling interactions at home to participating in the classroom community at school. AAC encourages and allows children to communicate their needs/wants, transfer information, develop social ties (such as make new friends and interact with others in a group setting), follow social norms, and maintain their own inner dialogue.
What Are Signs of Unmet Communication Needs In Children?
You’re not sure if your child needs or could benefit from AAC. Before you can take the next steps, you need to know if your child’s communication needs are met. Signs of unmet communication needs include lack of communication, withdrawal from participation (this could include school-related and non-school-related activities), and noticeable challenging behaviors.
Challenging behaviors are by no means standard and can vary from child to child or in different situations. These typically result from the child’s inability to effectively communicate their wants and needs. Without the ability to communicate, the child may lash out or act out in ways that teachers view as difficult or that you, as the parent, feel are unacceptable.
Who Is Part of the Pediatric AAC Assessment and Delivery Team?
There isn’t one professional or person who will assess all of your child’s needs and deliver 100 percent of the AAC services. Instead, AAC requires a team made up of professionals and non-professionals who work together to help the child to succeed. This team may include SLPs, AAC clinical specialists, school administration, AAC manufacturers/vendors, assistive technology specialists and community partners.Generalist pediatric SLPs play crucial roles in assessment and screening for AAC services. These professionals diagnose speech, language, and communication disorders and create treatment plans.
What Are Communication Partners and What Roles Do They Play?
Communication partners are exactly that—partners in communication. Partners may include parents, other family members, teachers/educators, peers, and other types of service providers. Each one of these partners plays a special role in the child’s life and can encourage or facilitate communication in different ways. But this doesn’t mean everything each one of these partners does is an AAC strategy.
While some types of unaided methods are natural forms of communication (such as facial expressions and gestures), others require training. You, your family members, your child’s school teacher, or members of your child’s community may need to learn more about specific AAC strategies and how to use them in age-appropriate ways. The SLP and other AAC professionals can assist community partners and provide AAC training and education.
Are All AAC Services In-Person?
A few short years ago remote or virtual service delivery was used sparingly in most cases. The need for social distancing and other pandemic-related mitigation measures ushered in a new tech era. Instead of in-person pediatrician office visits, school days, or maybe even dance classes, your child’s world seemed to go virtual overnight. Like everything else you can do virtually, it’s possible for speech-language pathologists to provide AAC training virtually as well.
If you think AAC may benefit your child, the first step is contacting your child's special education team and requesting an assistive technology evaluation. If your child already receives speech-language therapy, discuss the possible need for AAC with your child's SLP.
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