Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) covers a wide range of techniques which support or replace spoken communication. These include gesture, signing, symbols, word boards, communication boards and books, as well as communication aids.
Some kinds of AAC are part of everyone's communication, for example: waving goodbye; giving a 'thumbs up' instead of speaking; pointing to a picture or gesturing in a foreign country. However, some people with CSN rely on AAC most/all of the time.
AAC can provide other ways of communicating to express thoughts, feelings and ideas, and to transmit information or ask questions. It can also help with understanding, when an individual finds it difficult to understand the language that others are saying. Having a communication partner who knows best how to support AAC use, makes for more successful communication.
Watch the following videos for information about the different ways that we communicate and for an introduction to AAC.
- Ways to Communicate Video
- How Many Ways are There to Communicate?
- A Right to Communicate
- Call Me Maybe - AAC
- Communication Matters
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- What was it like to be voiceless and use AAC for the day?
- Maya Finds Her Voice
- What I like and dislike about using AAC
- Voice by Choice sketch by comedian Lee Ridley
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