Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)
Every child deserves a way to communicate, connect, and be heard.
AAC provides children with additional ways to communicate when speech alone does not fully meet their communication needs. It encompasses a wide range of tools and strategies that empower children to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs effectively.
What Is AAC?
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It includes many different forms of communication, from gestures, facial expressions, and signs to picture-based systems and specialized speech-generating devices. These tools "augment" existing speech or provide an "alternative" when spoken language is not yet functional. At Bloom, AAC may be incorporated into speech therapy when appropriate to support functional communication, participation, and independence.
It is important to know that using AAC does not mean giving up on spoken language. In fact, research shows that AAC can support a child's overall communication and language skills while spoken language continues to develop naturally.
Who Can Benefit From AAC?
AAC can support children with a wide range of communication needs. It is not limited to a specific diagnosis and can be used alongside speech, gestures, and other forms of communication to help children express themselves and participate more fully in everyday life.
- Are minimally speaking or nonspeaking
- Have difficulty communicating wants and needs through speech alone
- Have difficulty being understood by others
- Use gestures, behaviors, or other forms of communication to express themselves
- Have difficulty developing functional spoken language
- Have complex communication needs
- Benefit from visual supports to understand and express language
Types of AAC
Unaided AAC
Uses only the body to communicate. This includes gestures, facial expressions, body language, and signs.
Low-tech AAC
Uses non-electronic tools like communication boards, picture symbols, visual supports, and communication books.
High-tech AAC
Electronic speech-generating devices and communication applications tailored to a child's specific needs.
Bloom offers AAC-informed speech therapy by integrating various communication modalities and supporting children in utilizing their current tools during sessions and daily life.
AAC Support in Therapy
AAC is highly individualized. At Bloom, we support children in using communication tools and strategies that help them express their wants, needs, thoughts, feelings, and ideas across everyday activities.
Therapy may focus on using AAC to:
- Request items or actions
- Comment on surroundings
- Ask and answer questions
- Reject or protest
- Make meaningful choices
- Share vital information
- Participate in conversations
- Express internal feelings
- Advocate for themselves
Communication Beyond Therapy
AAC is most effective when children have opportunities to communicate throughout their everyday lives. We work closely with parents, caregivers, and teachers so the child's system can be used consistently across home, school, and community environments.
Our ultimate goal is functional, meaningful communication and increased participation, rather than simply learning to operate a device. We empower children to use their voices wherever they go.