AAC Devices

What is AAC?
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Children and adults with severe speech or language problems may need to find other ways to communicate. There are many types of AAC that they can use. Speech-language pathologists, or SLPs, can help. AAC includes all of the ways we share our ideas and feelings without talking. We all use forms of AAC every day. You use AAC when you use facial expressions or gestures instead of talking. You use AAC when you write a note and pass it to a friend or coworker. We may not realize how often we communicate without talking.  
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Who uses AAC?
Many different AAC methods are used by people of all ages with various physical or learning difficulties.

• Some individuals need AAC because of a condition that has been present at birth, such as cerebral palsy, autism or a learning disability.
• Other people don't need AAC until they are older and lose their ability to communicate as the result of a stroke, brain injury or a degenerative disease such as ALS.

How does AAC devices work?
​Speech-generating devices, produce electronic voice output, allowing the individual to communicate. These portable electronic devices allow him or her to select letters, words, and messages, alone or in combination, to be spoken aloud in a pre-recorded or computer-generated voice (text-to-speech).
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The speed and pattern of these methods can be customized to accommodate the user's age, familiarity with the device, etc.