How AAC Supports Your Child’s Communication
Communication is about so much more than spoken words. We communicate through our facial expressions, gestures, writing, and even the emojis we send—and for children who have difficulty using verbal speech, having more ways to communicate can open up a whole new world.
I’m Riley Harris, and I’m a speech therapist at Metro Therapy Special Children’s Clinic. Today, I’m going to talk about the many ways that AAC supports communication.
What Is AAC?
AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. Augmentative means to enhance or support existing speech, while alternative means to be used instead of speech.
When you put the technical terms aside, AAC refers to any communication that is not verbal speech. This includes body language, facial expressions, and gestures—communication that we use every day. Maybe you hold up your hand to tell someone to wait or shrug your shoulders to communicate, “I don’t know.” All of that is AAC.
AAC also includes written language: texting a friend, sending emojis, writing a story, or drawing a comic strip. All of that is communication that’s not using our speech.
The third category is what people usually think of when we talk about AAC: AAC devices or AAC systems. These were developed for people who do not have reliable access to their speech or who have limited verbal speech.
This includes low-tech AAC, like picture cards, letter boards, and visual schedules. There are also high-tech AAC devices, also called speech-generating devices. These can contain hundreds of words that are spoken aloud when selected.
AAC Is Simply a Tools for a Child’s Communication Toolbox
All of these communication forms make up our communication toolbox. We use a combination of these tools throughout our day.
We’ve probably all had an experience where we have not been able to speak, but we’ve had something to say. Maybe we lost our voice from sickness. Maybe we’re in a quiet library and really want to tell our friends something.
When we have something to say, we use the tools we have to make sure that we are understood. If we lose our voice, we may text or write down our message. We may act it out or point to what we need.
AAC Gives Children More Ways to Communicate with Others
But what about children who do not know how to read or write yet? Their communication toolbox begins to look pretty empty. They may be relying on body language alone to communicate all of their wants, needs, and ideas.
Even for people who have some verbal speech, what happens when they’re unable to access the words they need? Maybe they don’t know the word, or maybe others cannot understand their speech. They need another tool in their toolbox to meet all of their communication needs.
This is where AAC devices come in. AAC devices were developed as a tool to help people with communication challenges feel understood by the world around them. Especially for young children who cannot read or write, AAC devices can be an extremely helpful and empowering tool. For children who do not have access to verbal speech, this becomes a key communication tool.
Does AAC Prevent Children from Talking?
Many caregivers may worry that AAC will act as a replacement for verbal speech or that AAC will make children stop talking, but there is no evidence that AAC hinders speech.
In fact, research shows the opposite. Many studies have found that AAC can improve speech production and increase spoken language.
AAC Can Support Social Connection
Not only can AAC benefit speech development, it can also support social connection. Studies show that AAC can increase the quality and quantity of social interactions. It also gives children the tools to initiate and respond to conversations with peers and build relationships using language.
For children who rely on gestures, body language, and/or limited speech, AAC provides them access to words that they were unable to communicate before. For many children, this can be a bridge to social connection.
AAC Can Support Language, Reading, and Learning
AAC can also help with understanding language by serving as a visual support. Visual supports can help children learn and remember information, understand and follow directions, anticipate changes in routine, and identify their wants and needs with the help of visual choices.
Consistent exposure to written words and features like phonics keyboards have also been shown to support reading and spelling skills.
AAC Helps Children Communicate Their Wants, Needs, and Ideas
AAC also enables children to communicate for a variety of reasons. It’s easy to forget just how many reasons we have for communicating.
We need to share our emotions, ideas, and opinions. We need to describe the location, type, and severity of our pain or discomfort. We need to ask questions and seek information. We also need to tell stories and share past experiences.
These skills become critical when it comes to safety and emotional well-being. AAC can reduce the severity and frequency of harmful behaviors. Having access to the words they need provides children an alternative way to communicate instead of harming themselves or others.
Additionally, AAC provides access to clear consent and the ability to express boundaries. It also gives people the language to report past experiences, including more serious topics like abuse.
AAC Can Build Confidence and Independence
Lastly, AAC can be empowering for so many AAC users, increasing feelings of belonging, confidence, and independence while decreasing communication frustration and feelings of isolation.
It helps children advocate for themselves, participate in academic activities, and build friendships.
Reach Out to Metro Therapy for More Information on AAC for Your Child
If you think your child may be a candidate for AAC or if you would like to learn more, give our team at Metro Therapy a call at (763) 450-9400 or reach out to your child’s speech therapist. We will be happy to answer your questions and/or complete an AAC evaluation.
