SLPs and special education professionals: join our upcoming free webinar on how AAC can help your students tap into the superpower of communication!

When a child first learns to speak, read or write, it’s as if they’ve suddenly tapped into a superpower. They are increasingly able to connect with others and participate in a world they had been passively observing – all while using more and more words. As these children develop fluency in speech and language, they can explore deeper meanings, access more information, and convey their feelings, wants and needs to others.Children who struggle with speech and language development also deserve this superpower of communication. They have an inherent need to use language to bond with family, friends, teachers and caretakers. But many who have congenital or acquired language differences just can’t get the words or expressions out.That’s why Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is so amazing! When individuals with speech, language or communication challenges are provided with AAC methods and devices and trained on how to use them, a world of opportunity opens for them.In our next <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/webinar-registration-basics-aac" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cross Country Education webinar</a>, we’ll explore the basics of AAC and dig into prerequisites for AAC and how to select a device. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse into who can benefit from AAC and what types of AAC are available.<h2>Who Can Benefit from AAC?</h2>Anyone whose disability impacts their daily communication needs can use Augmentative and Alternative Communication. AAC is often used to help people with ALS, aphasia, apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, dysarthria, developmental disability, intellectual disability, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury and more.<h2>What Are Different Types of AAC?</h2>There are many forms of AAC, grouped into no-tech, low-tech and high-tech types:No-tech AAC<ul><li>Requires no materials except one’s body</li><li>Can include nodding or shaking the head, turning the head to left or right</li><li>Includes giving thumbs up/down, shaking, waving or clapping hands, pointing or snapping fingers</li><li>Serves as part of a comprehensive system of communication and is best for those who can also make sounds or produce some speech</li><li>(<a href="https://www.communicationcommunity.com/aacfilesnotech/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Communication Community</a>)</li></ul>Low-tech, Paper-based or Rapid-access AAC <ul><li>Does not require batteries, electricity or electronics</li><li>Can be symbols, letters, words, pictures or phrases on a board or book</li><li>Involves individual indicating symbols or messages using hand, head, mouth stick or light pointer</li><li>(<a href="https://ussaac.org/aac-info/aac-devices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">USAAC</a>)</li></ul>High-tech AAC<ul><li>Includes electronic devices, tools or programs that fit a variety of needs, budgets and aptitudes</li><li>Features single-meaning picture devices, alphabet-based systems, and semantic compaction or multi-meaning devices</li><li>Designed to be portable, sturdy, accessible and versatile</li><li>(<a href="https://www.speechpathologygraduateprograms.org/2017/11/top-10-aac-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-devices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Speech Pathology Graduate Programs)</a></li></ul>Speech-language pathologists, special education professionals, family members and individuals who have experienced the miracles of AAC understand: these tools are vital for equipping individuals with the superpower of communication. To learn more about how you can implement AAC with your students and help them live their lives to the fullest, join our exciting free webinar, February 16, 2022, at 1 p.m. PST. See you there!<a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/webinar-registration-basics-aac" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Register for the AAC webinar now</a>.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and the Superpower of Communication