Your child has been in speech therapy for close to a year, and little progress has been made. The journey to speaking seems like a long, winding road. You’re frustrated, and so is your child. Should you just switch to AAC?
In my years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, I have noticed many signs that may indicate that AAC is a better fit for a student with autism. Today, I’d like to share these signs with you. Hopefully, this simple guide can answer some questions about whether you should switch to AAC for your child.
Before we begin, don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about assistive communication devices by downloading your free guide here:
1. Your child’s receptive language holds a lot of potential
The first sign you should consider an AAC system is when you notice your child’s receptive language is expansive compared to their expressive language. Here are a few things to watch out for:
- Making gestures: When your child is trying to say something, they may make up gestures you surprisingly understand, even without prior training.
- Using objects to communicate: You may also notice your child will present objects to you to convey a message, such as pointing to a picture of a beach in a magazine to express wanting to go on a vacation. When your child does this, it means they understand they can use various symbols, such as pictures or text, to communicate, which is foundational for AAC.
- Easily understanding others: Your child can follow commands easily, answer questions with gestures or word approximations, and follow the conversations of others.
2. Your child has severe motor-speech issues
Another special consideration in switching to AAC is motor-speech disorders. These can include childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) or dysarthria (low muscle tone) as a result of other conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and brain tumors, among others.
Some motor-speech disorders can be managed successfully through early intervention. However, there are cases where pushing a speech-only intervention can hinder the child’s full capability to communicate.
After five years as an SLP, I am happy to say there are parents who are surprised their child knew and communicated certain concepts after being taught an AAC system. Sometimes, the issue isn’t with your child’s comprehension. All you have to do is provide them with the right platform to unlock their potential.
3. There has been little progress on speech for quite some time
I understand how some parents can be persistent in their decision to push speech goals for their children. There’s a sense of loss parents feel when their child is unable to participate in conversations, much less utter words they’ve been craving to hear.
It is one thing to be persistent in an achievable goal, but you should also be open to alternatives that can help your child move forward. If there is little progress in speech for a long time, perhaps it is best to explore other options that can help your child communicate.
You can also opt for a management strategy called “total communication”. In total communication, you can choose to intertwine some speech goals with an AAC system.
Many children use this method. They communicate using a program called Proloquo2Go, along with using words or word approximations.
4. Experts in your team are suggesting AAC
Therapists, school teachers, and other experts in your child’s intervention community may suggest trying AAC. Although you must provide consent and support to proceed in any AAC program, the experts in your team have a special insight and clinical judgment.
Speech therapists may recommend AAC when they feel like your child has diverse receptive language skills, but their expressive communication is limited due to using speech as the main medium.
Experts want to close the gap between receptive and expressive language, and this is the purpose of AAC for children who have challenges in speech.
If there’s no suggestion in your team to consider AAC, you can also open the idea if you think it could be a great opportunity for your child. They will help you in assessing the right kind of AAC system once this kind of intervention takes place.
Don’t ignore the signs to switch to ACC
Switching to AAC can be a transformative step for children struggling with traditional speech therapy. If your child demonstrates strong receptive language, faces significant motor-speech challenges, or has seen little progress with speech therapy alone, it may be time to explore AAC.
Consulting with your child’s therapy team and considering their recommendations is crucial. Remember, the goal is to provide your child with the most effective means of communication, allowing them to express their thoughts, needs, and emotions.
There’s a misconception that the gold standard of communication is speech. I say the gold standard of communication is where your child will thrive. There are many wonderful, breakthrough-providing ways for your child to communicate. Whether it’s writing or using signs, iPads, communication boards, flashcards, or gestures, these options can open many doors for self-expression.
This article was featured in Issue 116 – Enhancing Communication Skills
FAQs
Q: How do I know if my child needs an AAC device?
A: You might consider an AAC device for your child if they struggle significantly with verbal communication and traditional speech therapy hasn’t led to sufficient progress. Consulting with a speech-language pathologist can help determine if an AAC device would be beneficial for enhancing your child’s communication abilities.
Q: Why would a child need an AAC device?
A: A child might need an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device to help them communicate if they have speech or language impairments due to conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays. These devices support the child’s ability to express their needs, thoughts, and emotions effectively.
Q: What are the disadvantages of using AAC?
A: The disadvantages of using ACC include the potential for social stigma and the possibility of slowing down the communication process compared to natural speech. There can be challenges in accessing and maintaining the necessary technology, as well as the need for extensive training for both users and communication partners.
Q: Does AAC delay speech?
A: No, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) does not delay speech. In fact, research indicates that AAC can support and enhance speech development in individuals who use it.
References
Elsahar, Y.; Hu, S.; Bouazza-Marouf, K.; Kerr, D.; Mansor, A. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Advances: A Review of Configurations for Individuals with a Speech Disability. Sensors 2019, 19, 1911. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19081911
Crowe, B., Machalicek, W., Wei, Q. et al. Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disability: A Mega-Review of the Literature. J Dev Phys Disabil 34, 1–42 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-021-09790-0
Augmentative and Alternative Communication in the Classroom: Teacher Practices and Experiences, Elizabeth M. Leatherman and Jane R. Wegner, 2022, https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2022_LSHSS-21-00125
Syriopoulou-Delli, C.K., Eleni, G. Effectiveness of Different Types of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Improving Communication Skills and in Enhancing the Vocabulary of Children with ASD: a Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 9, 493–506 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-021-00269-4
