AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)
Also called: augmentative communication, communication device
Definition
AAC, or augmentative and alternative communication, refers to methods and tools — picture symbols, communication boards, and speech-generating apps or devices — that support or replace spoken language.
AAC ranges from low-tech (picture cards, communication boards) to high-tech (speech-generating apps and devices). It gives people who are non-speaking or minimally speaking a reliable way to communicate — and research shows it supports, rather than hinders, the development of speech.
Visual supports like visual schedules and choice boards sit alongside AAC as part of a visual, communication-friendly environment.