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Augmentative / Alternative Communication
Your child deserves to be heard.
AAC is used by people who, some or all of the time, cannot rely on their speech. AAC incorporates the individual's full communication abilities and may include any existing speech or vocalizations, gestures, manual signs, and aided communication. AAC is truly multimodal, permitting individuals to use every mode possible to communicate. Over time, the use of AAC may change, although sometimes very slowly, and the AAC systems chosen today may not be the best systems tomorrow.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) describes multiple ways to communicate that can supplement or compensate (either temporarily or permanently) for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication disorders.” At Playworks, we do not put any limitations on our clients. For example, if they are using picture symbols, sign language, or high tech devices (such as LAMP or ProLoQuo), we also encourage speech, gestures, and vocalizations. When children receive more visual input from their device, or picture symbol, they frequently use MORE verbal speech because of the benefit of multi- modal learning. In some cases, the communication device is a BRIDGE to verbal speech and is only used for a time to improve intelligibility and give the child access to communication. Our bottom line at Playworks is – everyone deserves a voice. We will teach ALL modes of communication and work with each family to find the modalities that are most empowering for each child.
In the video below, you will see our AAC specialist – Alex Koller -highlighting the benefit of using a telepractice platform for AAC therapy. Although we currently have a hybrid model –some children benefit more from virtual sessions. Speak with your individual therapist regarding the need for in clinic versus virtual sessions.
Research
Introduction to AAC – American Speech Hearing Association – (https://www.asha.org/njc/aac/)
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