What is AAC? A Beginner’s Guide to Augmentative & Alternative Communication

For many people, speech comes naturally. For others, speaking may be difficult, unclear, or not possible at all. That’s where AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) comes in.

You don’t need to speak to have a voice. AAC gives children and adults access to communication by using tools that fit their unique strengths and communication style.

In this post, I’ll explain what AAC is, the different types of AAC, who uses AAC, and how speech therapy can help families get started.

What Does “AAC” Mean?

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

• Augmentative communication adds to someone’s existing speech.

• Alternative communication provides another way to communicate when speech isn’t available.

AAC is not a single tool. It’s a broad category that includes everything from gestures and picture boards to tablet-based apps and dedicated devices that produce spoken words.

Types of AAC

AAC is often divided into three categories:

1. No-tech / Light-tech AAC

• Gestures and facial expressions

• Writing or drawing

• Communication boards or notebooks with pictures and symbols

2. Mid-tech AAC

• Single-message buttons (press once to play a pre-recorded message like “I need help”)

• Battery powered devices with a limited number of buttons that play frequently used words and phrases

3. High-tech AAC

• Tablet apps with symbol-based communication that can generate spoken words

• Dedicated speech-generating devices with robust vocabularies and synthesized voice output

• Eye-gaze systems for people who can’t use their hands, allowing them to select words or symbols that the device then speaks aloud

AAC can be picture- or icon-based or written word-based depending on an individual’s literacy skills. Many high-tech AAC devices let users combine or switch between icons and words, providing flexibility as the user’s communication evolves.

Who Uses AAC?

AAC can support communication for people of all ages. Some common examples of who might use AAC include:

• Non- or minimally speaking autistic children and adults who need a reliable way to express their thoughts and feelings.

• Children who are late talkers or have speech and language delays, where AAC can reduce frustration and provide a bridge while speech develops.

• Adults with impaired speech (dysarthria, apraxia) or language (aphasia) following neurological events (such as stroke, brain injury, or progressive conditions).

• Individuals with ALS, cerebral palsy, or other neuromotor conditions where speech is limited.

• People with temporary speech or voice loss, such as after surgery.

Some people use AAC for a short period (e.g., during recovery), while others use it as their lifelong method of communication.

Common Myths About AAC

Unfortunately, AAC is often misunderstood. Here are a few of the biggest myths:

• Myth: AAC prevents speech development.

  Fact: Research shows AAC actually supports both speech and language development. Using AAC reduces frustration and gives people a way to communicate while spoken language is still developing.

• Myth: AAC is only for people who will never talk.
  Fact: AAC can be used alongside speech. Many children and adults use both, talking when they can, and AAC when they need extra support.

• Myth: Young children need to have certain “prerequisite” language or cognitive skills before using AAC.
  Fact: There are no prerequisites for AAC. Even very young children can benefit from access to AAC, and early introduction can support long-term language growth.

How Speech Therapy Supports AAC

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) plays a key role in helping families navigate AAC. The process may include:

• Evaluation: Assessing communication needs and identifying appropriate AAC tools. An AAC evaluation looks at factors like language skills, literacy level, and motor abilities to determine the best fit.

• Trials: Giving the individual a chance to try different systems before choosing one.

• Training: Teaching the person, family members, and caregivers how to use the AAC system effectively.

• Support: Helping with funding options, insurance paperwork, and long-term planning.

Working with an SLP ensures that AAC is personalized, practical, and integrated into daily life.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Communication is a fundamental human right. AAC helps people share their thoughts, needs, and feelings— fostering independence, social connection, and quality of life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether AAC might help you, your child, a loved one after a stroke, or someone you support, a speech therapist can help guide the next steps.

At Third Space Speech & Language Therapy, we provide AAC assessments and therapy for the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. If you’d like to learn more about AAC or schedule an evaluation, contact us today.