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What is Augmentative and Alternative
Communication (AAC) and who uses it? |
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About AAC
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication
(AAC) and who uses it?
Some people have complex communication needs associated with
a wide range of physical, sensory and environmental causes which restrict/limit
their ability to participate independently in society. They and their
communication partners may benefit from using AAC methods (ISAAC 2002).
People have difficulty speaking due to disabilities such as cerebral palsy,
traumatic brain injury, developmental delay, autism etc. Having a severe
speech problem affects many aspects of a person's life. It may affect
one's ability to live in the community, direct one's care, find employment,
discuss sexual matters and report or prevent abuse.
AAC refers to ways other than speech that are used to communicate. Most
people who use AAC have a variety of communication systems. Depending
on their needs and skills they usually include a number of aided and unaided
communication systems.
Unaided AAC systems might include:
Voice; nodding and shaking one's head; facial expression; pointing or
looking at desired objects; gestures; sign languages.
Aided AAC systems might include:
Communication displays (comprised of written words, letters or phrases,
pictures or symbols); devices which speak or print out messages; call
bells etc.
There are specialized AAC Services available to assist people in determining
the AAC systems which best meet their needs and skills.
List of AAC services in Ontario
Fact Sheet (PDF*)
AAC Web Links (University of Nebraska)
*Note: You will need Adobe Reader® (a free download from Adobe) to view PDF documents. Also note: To save the documents, select "Save As..." from your browser's "File" menu.
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