Augmentative & Alternative Communication

Talking is only one method of communicating. For many individuals with a disability speech will be inadequate as a principle means of communication. When disability prevents spoken language, people often learn other methods of communication that have been individualized to meet their needs and abilities. These methods can be alternatives to speech or can augment the primary mode of communication. (AAC).

Augmented and Alternative communication is any means that will help to increase a person's communication output, including:

• body language (touching, nodding, shrugging, pointing, eye contact, facial expressions)
• manual sign languages
• object displays
• photograph displays
• picture displays
• symbol displays
• print
• electronic aids (computer, voice synthesizer, simple switch devices, software).

Everyone needs the ability to communicate with others. Expressing needs, wants, and ideas and sharing fun and sorrow are basic human needs. If natural speech is not present, "augmentative communication systems" can often help - either by acting as a bridge until speech does develop or by providing an alternative if speech does not develop.

Often the best augmented and alternative communication system is a combination of those listed above. However, it can often be revised and/or expanded, depending on changes in the individual's development and environment. A specific/different program is designed for each person depending on their needs, physical, and intellectual capabilities. No single A.A.C. system is best for everyone. When deciding on a system several individual differences must be considered, including:

• degree and type of physical impairment
• presence of visual impairment
• intellectual capabilities
• motivation and opportunity to communicate
• needs
• interest of significant people in the individual's environment.

Other considerations include: where the person lives, works, community involvement, type of program their involved in; and with who the individual is talking - family, staff, peers, store clerk , etc. An example of this is: For those who use Sign Language to communicate the use of pictures will help them to communicate with people in the community who are not familiar with Sign Language.

We all learn through multiple senses - touch, vision, taste, smell, hearing. All these senses (or systems) interact, work together and reinforce each other. The more senses we can use to teach an idea, the more thoroughly the ideas will be learned. Pictures, symbols, and hand signs are visual and tactile ways of communicating that help build on and reinforce our most common "hearing/speaking" method of communicating.

Research has shown that the use of signing, pictures and/or symbols will not reduce the amount of speech already used. Augmentative and alternative communication systems offer individual useful language tools and are fun. This appears to remove emotional pressure and frustration and as a result, appears to increase "talking".

A concern may be that A.A.C. system will make the individual seem different and it will. However, we must accept that he/she is already different because of his/her inability to communicate. We can choose between a silent, passive person who does not take part in life or an alert, lively individual who does participate in life using augmentative and alternative communication systems. For many people with physical disabilities, speech may never develop. For many individuals with mental disabilities, the development of speech as a useful communication system may never take place. Some people have speech, but cannot use it to communicate with others. For them, augmentative and alternative communication can give an immediate means in which to convey their thoughts and needs.

It must be remembered that the communication system is the person's voice so it should be available for use whenever he/she wants it. Often the time or the place is awkward and inconvenient but do persevere. It is worthwhile to take a break in routine, either to tackle a specific problem, or just for a "chat". Have you ever tried not talking for a day - could you do it?

During the early stages of learning we have to learn to accept approximations of signing or pointing just as we accept approximations when as child is learning to speak. It is important to persevere until the message is understood. If the person becomes frustrated or angry try to keep it positive. When you don't know what he/she means you can ease the situation by saying something like "my eyes weren't watching - lets try again."

Individuals who are interacting in an environment that utilizes and promotes their identified alternative methods of communication, who have learned to use assistive technology, or who are successful with augmentative communication are more empowered, stimulated, and motivated to advance socially, emotionally, and behaviourally. These methods are their voice.

(Adapted from "Most Frequently Asked Questions " and " Communication - the Human Connection"" provided by the Speech-Language Pathology Communication Services of the Manitoba Developmental Centre, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba)