Augmentative and alternative communication
What is augmentative and alternative communication?
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers to the different ways (other than speech) that people use to communicate with each other.
Although we may not be conscious of it, we all use augmentative communication techniques on a daily basis, such as facial expressions, gestures, writing, and increasingly, sending text messages and pictures on mobile phones.
In difficult listening situations (noisy rooms, for example), we tend to augment our words with even more gestures and exaggerated facial expressions.
AAC and people with speech or language problems
People with severe speech or language problems must rely quite heavily on these standard techniques as well as on special augmentative techniques that have been specifically developed for them. Some of these techniques involve the use of specialised gestures, sign language, or Morse code. Other techniques use communication aids, such as charts and language boards. On aids such as these, objects may be represented by pictures, drawings, letters, words, sentences, special symbols or a combination of all of these methods.
Identifying suitable techniques
Identifying what is the right technique or the correct aid to help someone with a communication difficulty can be fraught with difficulties. Very few people manage in isolation. In most cases individuals, families and professionals all need to be involved as a team from the start, identifying a need, through to supporting the long term goals of the individual.
The following links provide information to help overcome the issues that can arise and lead to problems such as a lack of funding or inappropriate recommendations for equipment, training and support and/or a failure in implementation of the correct solutions, resulting in increased barriers for the individual.
Useful links
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Based in Edinburgh, the CALL Centre (Communication Aids for Language and Learning) provides specialist expertise in technology for children who have speech, communication and/or writing difficulties, in schools throughout Scotland. The CALL Centre website contains a wealth of information, guidance, assessments and a range of resources on how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can support and have a positive impact on the education of children and people with disabilities or special educational and communication needs. Examples of resources include an introduction to augmentative and alternative communication, advice on choosing the correct Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA) and interactive tutorials on alternative communication approaches such as scanning and communication boards.
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Technological Assessment and Support for Special Children and the Curriculum (TASSCC) offers technological support to those working with young people with special educational needs in both mainstream and special schools. A useful aspect of this site is the ‘TASSCC Recommends’ link which lists a number of recommended suppliers of communication aids. TASSCC also has an easy and accessible on-line referral form for children who require an assessment.
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Communication Matters is a national charitable organisation concerned with the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs of people with complex communication needs. As well as an informative bulletin board and a number of discussion forums on augmentative and alternative communication the Communication Matters website has a large number of links and resources to other AAC centres, suppliers and online forums.
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ISAAC, the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, is a charitable organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and adults with little or no functional speech. In order to make their website more accessible, the ISAAC website has been enhanced with support symbols for those people who use an alternative language, or who have learning difficulties. The website also contains a useful glossary of AAC terminology as well as an informative section on mentoring people with language difficulties.
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1 Voice is a network support dedicated to children and adults who have communication and language difficulties and professionals who work in the field of alternative or augmentative communication. The main aim of 1 Voice is to support families to overcome the isolation that being unable to speak can bring, promoting a family and social perspective on communication. A useful feature of the site is the e-mail support group, a forum for people to support each other and to share perspectives and experiences of alternative and communication.
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Based in Oldham the ACE Centre-North offers a wide range of services to support communication and learning through the use of Assistive Technology (AT) and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) systems and resources for children and adults with physical and communication difficulties.
The ACE Centre also provides an assessment service to assess the needs of young people who have communication difficulties and/or a disability. The site offers a huge range of resources including some interesting downloads that include Word documents on assessment issues, switch resources and a resource bank on AAC equipment.
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Fife Assessment Centre for Communication through Technology (FACCT) is based in Auchterderran Centre at Cardenden, Fife. The service through FACCT aims to help people of all ages with severe oral communication difficulties to communicate more effectively through the use of appropriate devices or systems. One particular useful aspect of the FACCT site is the ‘Links’ section which provides a list of links to similar organizations.
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AssistIT works in partnership with learning, teaching, training providers and public access centres to provide the best practice in inclusive learning through the use of assistive and adaptive technology. The AssistIT website provides a wealth of information related to learning and assistive and adaptive technology. The AAC and Switch Access section provides an introductory overview of augmentative and alternative communication as well as a useful step-by-step guide to setting up a switch access system.