AAC Lending Library

AAC stands for “Augmentative and Alternative Communication.” It’s easy to break down the acronym, but what does AAC really mean? At a quick glance, an AAC device might appear like a regular iPad or tablet. In reality, it has a very specific function to assist its users by providing accessible means to communicate and interact.

One example of where an AAC device might be helpful is for a child with Autism. People with Autism often, but not always, have challenges in communicating with their neurotypical peers. This can manifest in a few different ways, such as difficulty reading body language or culturally understood social cues. People with Autism might express emotions differently than a neurotypical person. In some cases, people with Autism can be partially or fully non-speaking.

This is just one scenario where an AAC device could be an effective solution, but these devices can be used for anyone with a disparity between their communication needs and their physical or cognitive abilities. This means neurodiverse and neurotypical people alike! Some other cases where an AAC might be used could be someone with an acquired disability, such as a traumatic brain injury, or a congenital disorder like cerebral palsy. But the reality is, there’s no such thing as an “average” need for an AAC device because the assistance of an AAC will look different for every single user.

No matter how a communication deficit manifests, an AAC device offers a solution by creating alternative or augmentative means of communication for partially or fully non-speaking people. Although it may look like a regular tablet, it has special programming that makes it function for a very specific purpose. Instead of apps, the screen of an AAC device is loaded with icons to describe different nouns, verbs, adjectives, and more. The user can select from these icons, constructing a sentence one button at a time. Or, even preprogrammed sentences, like “Hi, my name is Jayden!”