AAC Resources

 The above graphic is from AAC TechConnect.

When working with students who are using any form of Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC), it is important to teach several components when using a device. These may be good areas to focus on when writing an IEP: 

• How to operate the device and take care of it as independently as possible
• How to communicate with it, (Eyes, Ears, Voice, Hands/Feet, Brain, Body, Feelings)
• When to use it and when not to (Just like everyone- when is it appropriate to talk and not appropriate to talk)
• The power of language (When I say this, I get this - or - when I say this, this happens)

Just as typical kids need to hear language for quite a while before starting to talk, so do our kids who need AAC. It is important to do all those natural activities with non-verbal children, such as- reading to them, singing activities (Where is Thumbkin), playing games, talking about your surroundings, making animal sounds...

Model, Model, Model!
Once a device is in place: 
It is important to remember that most kids and their families have never seen anyone use a device. Everyone needs to know what is in the device and how it works. Each communication partner needs to take some time to get to know the device as modeling is so very important. The speaking communication partner should model the device, naturally, without saying "touch this one" or doing a hand over hand assists. Instead, just "talk" to the child, as if it where your device also. Or use a metacognitive approach (demonstrate your own thinking), "Let's see, I want to tell you that I need a hug. First I think I would need to go to the ____ page because _____..."

Be sure to introduce the device around an activity that is fun and reinforcing.


It is okay to learn together. Relax and make it fun. Opening a child up to the powerful world of communication is a gift. Once they understand the power of language, it will be hard to stop them!

There are some wonderful AAC resources on the Internet. This listing is some of my favorites. I will continue to add to it as I find new resources that might be useful, so please check back. (Provided in alphabetical order, not in order of importance.)


First things first: AAC (like many things in special education) has a language of its own. If you need a glossary of AAC terms, University of Washington AugComm has an extensive one worth bookmarking.

1. AAC Intervention by Dr. Caroline Musselwhite, another leader in the field, has a very simple site with some wonderful information worth exploring. Also check out Carol's Corner.
   
2. AAC Kids is early intervention strategies.
3. AAC and Literacy by Janice Light & David McNaughton, provides guidelines for teaching literacy skills to learners with special needs, especially learners with complex communication needs.
4. AAC Myths Revealed is one of the DynaVox/Mayer-Johnson resources that provides a really clean and easy explanation about the most common fears regarding AAC use. 
5. AAC-RERC is a "collaborative research group dedicated to the development of effective AAC technology." The area on the left under "Features" is my favorite section where there is information on AAC Literacy, Emergency Information, Early Intervention and oh, so much more. 
6. ACTS provides a great Funding Process worksheet when looking at how to fund an AAC device in California.
7. Augmentative and Alternative Communication InterventionA by Janice Light offers top of the art strategies.
   
8. The Bridge School is offering more and more support systems worth exploring and visiting often. Activities and Ideas section is growing and can be very useful.I love the video clips they have provided. 
9.  We have a role too. Don't forget to educate others! Communicating with an AAC user and Guidelines for Communicating with a Person who uses AAC. 
10. Compic and Scope offers a wonderful visual representation of the Communication Bill of Rights (open in pdf reader). I recommend everyone who is dealing with anyone who is nonverbal have this posted as a reminder of our own behaviors and the goals we should be setting for ourselves.
11. The Communication Matrix Profile offers a one-page Profile and a Communication Skills List. The Communication Matrix is an assessment tool designed to pinpoint exactly how an individual is communicating and to provide a framework for determining logical communication goals.
12. The DynaVox Implementation Toolbox is packed full of resources worth exploring such as Dynamic AAC Goals, AAC Myths and Using Multiple Communication Methods to name a few. 
13. A YouTube Video worth sharing and exploring showing students communicating with each other using various forms of AAC: Helping to Communicate through AAC. 
14. Let's Book It just provides lots of great ideas for making books. Not designed with AAC in mind but I think it provides some great ideas for how to put all that important stuff into a book format that kids will love. They could make their own little book based on their goals in speech...
    
15. Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication by Linda Burkhart includes basic AAC information by a leader in the field.
16. PictureSET has a wonderful listing of downloadable low tech materials worth exploring.
17. Prenke Romich has an AAC Language Lab with information and videos discussing the use of AAC, language outcomes, objectives and teaching resources from a developmental language framework.
    
18. Lori Tufte compiled a wonderful Questionaire for AAC Integration worth keeping on hand to help identify areas that require further training.
19. Speaking of Speech offers a sections for materials exchange (including some Boardmaker pages in PDF format) concentrating on articulation, fluency, social/pragmatics, AAC.... and an IEP goal bank. Worth exploring. 
20. SpeechBubble is a database hosted by the ACE Centre in Oxford, England. The database includes detailed information about almost all communication aids currently available. Price and supplier information will be different for people in the USA but the database could be very useful for identifying devices that might fit a particular child that you are working with. Worth exploring.
    
21. Supporting Communication through AAC is centered around Cerebral Palsy. It offers a 12 module package available as Pdf downlaodable materials.  
22. Tobii Assistive Technology has a training page offering a range oflive and archived webinars; guides, tips and tricks, troubleshooting page and other resources worth exploring.
23. UW (University of Washington Augcom helps to break down the parts of an AAC assessment and what should be considered.They also include and glossary and list of AAC Resources.
24. Voice for Living has a nice section dedicated to using a voice in the classroom. 
25. For a listing of technology that is out there, with links of where to learn more about each, visit Write State University's current technology page.
26. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Connecting Young Kids - Yaack includes the most complete, comprehensive information available for free! Great resource.

We are all dealing more and more with students with Autism. I thought you might appreciate a few sites dealing specifically with AAC and Autism as it is an area that is growing more and more. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Augmentative Resources which provides "Materials, Aids and AAC Devices to Enhance Communication and Language". I love their stuff!! Download their Pdf catalog. It is worth it.
2. The Center for AAC & Autism "is dedicated to building awareness of the power of AAC to change the lives of children with autism and other developmental disabilities, who are challenged by limited spontaneous communication skills." LAMP focuses on giving the individual independent access to vocabulary on voice output AAC devices that use consistent motor planning.
3. iCan has a section on using AAC with students who have Autism plus other resources. It will take you through a step-by-step approach for learning more about this topic. "AAC offers great potential as a means to support verbal skills. For some individuals, AAC may be temporary, for others the need for AAC will be lifelong."
4. PictureSET provides a collection of downloadable visual supports that can be used by students for both receptive and expressive communication in the classroom, at home, and in the community. This is a searchable database allows you to find a wide range of useful visual supports for different curriculum areas, activities, and events.
5. SpeechPage.com which provides tons of materials which aren't too expensive.
6. Voice for Living has a really nice section dedicated to children with Autism and AAC. Some very helpful articles.  

Need some help figuring out the Funding Maze? AAC Funding Help is the place to locate all your answers.

Considering an iPad to support communication, explore this listing of AAC Apps but know that the iPad is not necessarily the best tool for your specific child. Be sure to have an AAC assessment before purchasing any tools as there is often more to consider than what some may think.