Alternative and augmentative communication tools, systems and strategies

1. Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC)

What does it mean Alternative and Augmentative Communication...

Simply we could say, that Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) refers to various tools, systems, devices and strategies that help in communication for people who find it difficult to speak.

These forms of communication can help children and adults receive and understand messages, as well as express their own thoughts and ideas with others. In fact, augmentative and alternative communication systems can assist people with communication disabilities to develop their language skills and increase their participation and inclusion in daily activities (these tools can give them more communication control and decrease their frustration).

2. AAC systems

There are many different types of AAC tool and systems (sometimes also refered to as the "assistive technologies"). We can classify them as:

AAC systems might be also classified as:

• Text-based AAC (for persons who can usually read and spell and are able to type the words they want to say)
• Symbol-based AAC (for those who cannot read and spell, they need symbols or pictures when communicating)

How to choose the right AAC

We should allways take into account:

• person's (communication, physical, sensory, intellectual, social...) skills and abilities
• person's preferences
• ease of use and understanding the system by other people (communication partners)

Why to support communication of a person by AAC

• he/she can build friendships and relationships with other people
• he/she can have more frequent social interactions
• his/her autonomy and decision-making power casn be increased
• his/her activity and independence can be increased 
• his/her respect from others can be increased
• his/her participation in their family lives and communities can be greater
• he/she can get more opportunities in many daily activities
• his/her physical and mental health can be improved 

Types od AAC systems

1. Non-technical aids

• pictures, photographs, three-dimensional objects, pictograms, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Makaton, Bliss, etc.

2.  High-tech communication systems

• computers with voice or printed outputs, devices with voice output (communicators), transcription of speech into a written form (e.g. JetVoice), word suggesting programmes, and many other types of hardware and software... (you can find some examples of these devices on the following websites: [1], [2])