Practical Tips for supporting Alternative and Augmentative Communication

Whilst it can be difficult to juggle AAC with other factors such as managing the environment, completing a task, family, existing routines and daily life in general, it can open a whole new world to the user and their communication partners.

Here are some tips for implementing and supporting AAC

• The introduction of AAC requires systematic assessment, planning, implementation, ongoing monitoring, updating and adjustment, otherwise a system is generally neglected
• An AAC system must be multimodal and integrated across an individual’s different environments, i.e. educational, home, community.
• The components and features of any AAC system need to be aligned with what best suits the individual in terms of their language functions, level of comprehension and expression, understanding of representation and initiation. For example, a combination of high and low technology, aided and unaided AAC supports may be best.
• If an AAC system does not have appropriate message selection which is motivating for the user to communicate, then that may cause a barrier in itself.
• Working together is key! Collaboration between parents and professionals, effective teaming and leadership, a shared vision, clear roles and responsibilities and a consensus of expectations needs to be discussed and established.
• Integrate practices and supports around the individual. It can be difficult for teachers to integrate communication systems into a learning environment and ‘in-house’ training by a Speech Pathologist is beneficial as it sets up a support system and strategies can be incorporated into an existing framework. Multiphase teacher professional development around AAC in the classroom has also been found to be successful, with a significant increase in student initiation, generalisation and maintenance of skills recorded.
• Be positive! Communication partners are essential supports and participants in interactions, particularly for those individuals with limited communication and an attitude, positive or negative, can determine whether an interaction will be successful. Negative attitudes towards AAC may act as a barrier to successful interactions, as reduced opportunities to learn and develop skills may be provided.
• Flexibility of communication partners, activities and supports is important and should be based around the individual’s preferences, interests, strengths and weaknesses
• The system must be accepted by the user, communication partners and there must be a level of motivation and communicative intent for an AAC system to be successful.