Augmentative & Alternative Communication

There is no definitive recipe for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) success, but its universal ingredients can be found at home. The main ones are: (1) Understanding that all children need to express themselves, however outgoing or shy they may be; (2) Willingness to embrace the technology that may help your child regardless of your technological background or inclinations; (3) Recognition of AAC devices as part of a holistic communication approach, integrating multiple forms of self-expression; (4) Awareness of resources available through your child's school or the device manufacturer that may ease the process; and (5) Firm but realistic expectations. With gentle encouragement, a child can adopt a device as his or her voice to convey needs, wants, thoughts, and feelings when getting a message across through speech or body language is not an option. Variations of such ingredients are working well for two Florida families in unique places on their communication journeys. Their stories are presented.