What does the term AAC mean?

Augmentative and Alternative Communication is defined thus:

[AAC] refers to any means by which an individual can supplement or replace spoken communication. Communication may range from any movement or behavior that is observed and interpreted by another person as meaningful, to the use of a code agreed upon between people where items have specific meanings, ie. a language.

This definition continues:

AAC is both a means of accessing an educational curriculum and language in its own right. It is appropriate for individuals who have difficulty with receptive and expressive language due to physical, sensory or learning disability. It provides an opportunity to attain economical, social, educational and vocational goals. (Chinner et al., 2001: 3)

To enable AAC to be considered in a manageable and understandable manner for school planning and policies, it can be subdivided into unaided and aided communication (Glennen and DeCoste, in Chinner et al., 2001). However, it is important to state at this point that individuals will probably require the use of both unaided and aided communication equipment so that total communication is achieved.

■ Unaided communication: These methods of communication only use the learner’s body and do not require any type of equipment.

■ Aided communication: These methods of communication involve additional equipment. They may be ‘low-tech’ (an item that does not require a battery) or

‘high tech’ (an item that requires a battery at least to operate) (Communication Matters, 2001).

Discussion

Following the definitions above, try to place the types of communication systems listed in italic below, into a table using the headings unaided or aided.

Boardmaker, photographs, Picture Communication Symbols, British Sign Language, Makaton vocabulary, Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs), finger spelling, Rebus, objects, Signalong, use of a trackerball or joystick, a switch, cued articulation, light pointer, keyboard.

One thing AAC systems definitely do not do is replace or minimize the role of any professional, such as speech and language therapists. In fact, it is most frequently their expertise and knowledge that will guide the selection of AAC systems. AAC systems do not prevent or hinder a learner from speaking, but can sometimes actually help to improve it.