An AAC or total communication system might include:
- Speech
- Facial expression
- Pointing
- Communication aids
The system also includes the user's skills, techniques and strategies to make best use of these components.
- Many communication aid users use some speech and gesture
- Most communication aids users use more than one communication aid
- Effective AAC systems often include both "high tech" and "low tech" devices
A communication aid, or aids, might be:
- Someone's only means of communication
- Someone's main means of communication
- Someone's "back up" for speech, perhaps when tired or talking to unfamiliar people
For more information about AAC, visit the
Communication Matters
website.