Most parents eagerly anticipate their children’s learning to talk. However, there are children—and seniors, and people of all ages between—for whom “talking” in the conventional sense is a problem. Speech disabilities have a number of physical and neurological causes, including:
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Vocal cord deterioration
- Stroke
- Recovering from surgery
For those who need help talking, the answer is augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC, technology.
- Many people with verbal disabilities have (or can learn) some level of conventional speech. However, the speech may not be completely understandable, or may require too much effort for long conversations. Augmentative communication provides a second “voice” to fill the gaps.
- Other people are completely nonverbal. Alternative communication gives them a way to put their thoughts into words.
What Is AAC?
AAC comprises all tools that “speak” for the user, whether verbally, through written words, or through images and gestures. Options include:
- Anything (even pen and paper) that allows people to write out what they want to say
- Charts of symbols or printed words
- Text-to-speech apps
- Eye-gaze-operated speech devices
BridgingApps is a great resource for hands-on help finding the right AAC. Our Assistive Technology (AT) Lab Services can be visited in Houston (at the ESGH Loop Central offices), Stafford, or The Woodlands. Appointments, Open Lab Days, and personal evaluations are available. You can even borrow devices to test in your everyday life.
AAC Items of Interest
“I’d say the lab gets three to five outside referrals for AAC devices in a month,” says Alejandra Gonzalez, BridgingApps Digital Navigator. “Eye-gaze technology is always popular. And among the people I’ve helped, I’ve noticed particular interest in AbleNet buttons. (There are also less expensive buttons, often marketed for uses besides AAC, which can be found at Amazon or even your local Walmart.)”
Daryn Ofczarzak is our team’s Speech Language Pathologist, specializing in AAC, Early Childhood Intervention, and complex medical needs. She says of recent technological developments:
“TobiiDynavox has released dedicated communication devices—the TD Pilot with eye-gaze access, and the TD Navio—that run on iOS. (Other versions are available for Android and Windows tablets.) We don’t yet have these devices in the lab, but we can make arrangements for interested clients to trial one.
“Our other dedicated communication devices include the PRC Saltillo NovaChat and Accent. And of course, the lab has iPads, with the most popular AAC apps for clients to try before buying. Many of these apps are on sale for AAC Month.
“Part of AAC is how the user interacts with or accesses the device. In addition to eye-gaze, we have devices that can be accessed via HeadMouse or switches. And we have a variety of styluses and other helpful tools to help everyone have a way to communicate.”
From the Lab to the Therapist’s Office
It’s worth noting that there’s more to AAC than finding the right device: many people still need speech–language training to use the devices, or to otherwise maximize effective communication. Says Alejandra Gonzalez: “Most of the individuals I remember have called asking for a personalized AAC evaluation, which is an immediate referral to Daryn. And sometimes when I’m with digital-navigation clients, they mention friends or family members who are nonverbal. In that case, I bring up AAC devices; and if there’s interest, I refer them to Daryn for a consult.”
See also: Learning to Speak: When AAC Partners with Verbal Communication
More on AAC options, from our apps-lists database:
AAC-related selections from our BridgingApps New and Updated Apps list:
- Bob Books Reading Magic #1
- Endless Learning Academy
- Jabberwocky AAC
- LAMP Words for Life
- Sayin It Sam
P.S. Universal Communication Access
An early-October AAC article wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Digital Inclusion Week, the annual celebration of digital access for all—regardless of physical location, income level, or ability. This year’s DIW runs October 7–11, with the theme “Stronger Together: Mobilizing Toward Sustainability.” Visit the National Digital Inclusion Alliance website to find events and resources.