Augmentative and Alternative Communication
People with severe speech or language deficits may need to find alternative means of communication outside of speaking. There are multiple augmentative and alternative communication systems that these individuals can use. Augmentative systems are intended to add to an individual’s verbal communication, while alternative systems are meant to be used in place of verbal communication.
There are no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech augmentative and alternative communication options.
No-Tech and Low-Tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication
pointing to pictures
spelling words by pointing to letters
writing
using gestures
High-Tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication
using an app on an iPad or tablet
using a computer programmed to produce output based on selected icons, often referred to as a speech-generating device