When a child or adult struggles to communicate through speech alone, it can feel isolating for them and frightening for the people who love them. The good news is that there are many practical tools and approaches designed to help. Augmentative and alternative communication, often shortened to AAC, is one of the most well-researched and effective areas of assistive technology for autistic people and others with communication differences.
Key Takeaways
- AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication, a broad category of tools and strategies that support or replace spoken speech.
- There are several types of AAC, ranging from low-tech picture boards to high-tech speech devices.
- AAC does not stop a person from developing speech. Research shows it often supports it.¹
- Many autistic children and adults use AAC communication methods successfully in daily life.
- AAC devices and communication aids are available in the UK through NHS services, education, and private routes.
What Does AAC Stand For?
AAC meaning, in full, is augmentative and alternative communication. It refers to all the ways a person communicates apart from, or in addition to, spoken words. “Augmentative” means adding to or supporting existing speech. “Alternative” means replacing speech entirely when a person is unable to use it.
So, what is augmentative communication in practice? It might be a child pointing to symbols on a board to say they are hungry. It might be a teenager typing on a speech-generating device to join a conversation. It might be an adult using a mobile app to express emotion. The methods vary widely, but the goal is the same: to give every person a reliable way to communicate.
The 4 Types of AAC
Understanding the types of AAC helps families and professionals choose the right approach. Communication aids are generally grouped into four main categories.
Unaided Communication
These are methods that require no physical tools at all. Sign language, body language, facial expressions, and gestures all count as unaided AAC. Many autistic people use some combination of these naturally.
Low-Tech Communication Aids
Low-tech aids include paper-based picture boards, communication books, and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). They are affordable, durable, and easy to personalise. Communication aids examples in this category might include a laminated page of symbols representing daily routines, or a small book a child carries to school.
Mid-Tech Communication Aids
These are simple battery-operated devices, often with recorded messages attached to symbols. A child might press a button to say “more please” or “I need help.” They’re useful when a person needs a limited but reliable set of phrases.
High-Tech AAC Devices
High-tech AAC devices, sometimes called speech devices or speech-generating devices, are the most sophisticated option. They include dedicated AAC communication devices such as Tobii Dynavox and Proloquo2Go, as well as tablet-based apps. Some use eye-tracking technology for people with physical limitations. An AAC device UK users can access might be available through the NHS, a special educational needs budget, or privately.
Need clarity? If you think autism is in the mix and need a formal diagnosis, get an Autism assessment for your child or yourself, with trained clinicians across the UK.
Who Can Benefit from AAC Communication?
AAC is not only for people with autism. It supports anyone with complex communication needs, including those with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries, or speech and language disorders. Within the autistic community, though, it is one of the most widely used forms of assistive technology communication.
Around one in three autistic people have significant difficulties with spoken communication.² Some are minimally verbal or non-speaking. Others can speak in some situations but not under stress. AAC gives these individuals a consistent, reliable voice. It also helps people who have the words but need more time, or who feel more confident expressing themselves through visual or written methods.
Does Using an AAC Device Stop Speech Development?
This is one of the most common worries parents raise. The evidence says no. A review published in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology found that AAC interventions did not hinder speech development and, in many cases, supported it.¹ The presence of a reliable alternative communication method appears to reduce frustration and actually encourage attempts at speech.
So, if a specialist recommends an AAC communication device for your child, this is not giving up on speech. It’s giving your child a bridge.
Alternative Communication Methods in Everyday Life
Communication aids which promote communication include not just devices and boards, but also strategies like visual schedules, social stories, and Makaton signing. Many autistic people use a combination of these methods depending on the context.
In school, a child might use a communication book alongside a mid-tech device. At home, a visual schedule on the wall supports predictability and reduces anxiety. The best communication plan is always individual, built around the person’s strengths, needs, and preferences.
If you’re wondering whether your child or a loved one might benefit from a communication assessment or broader autism evaluation, Autism Detect offers children’s autism assessments and adult autism assessments with ADOS-2 trained clinicians across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AAC stand for?
AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It is a term used to describe all the tools, strategies, and methods that support or replace spoken speech. This includes everything from simple picture boards to sophisticated electronic speech devices.
What are the main types of AAC?
There are four broad types:
- Unaided methods (like sign language and gesture)
- Low-tech aids (like picture boards and communication books)
- Mid-tech aids (simple voice output devices)
- High-tech AAC devices (speech-generating software and apps)
Most people use more than one type.
Can autistic children use AAC devices?
Yes. AAC is widely used by autistic children, including those who are minimally verbal or non-speaking. Speech and language therapists usually lead the selection and implementation process, working alongside families and educators.
Will using an AAC device stop my child from learning to talk?
Research does not support this concern. Studies consistently show that AAC does not prevent speech development and may actually support it by reducing frustration and providing a reliable communication channel.¹
How do I get an AAC device in the UK?
In the UK, AAC devices and communication aids can be accessed through NHS speech and language therapy services, local authority SEND teams, or Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Some families also purchase apps and devices privately. Your GP or a speech and language therapist is the best starting point.
Is Makaton a type of AAC?
Yes. Makaton is a communication programme using signs and symbols alongside speech. It’s widely used in schools and early years settings in the UK as both a communication aid and a language support tool.
Can adults use AAC communication methods?
Absolutely. Adults who are non-speaking, or who have lost speech through illness or injury, can and do use AAC. Many autistic adults also find that AAC communication supports them in situations where spoken language is difficult, such as during sensory overload or high-anxiety moments.
References
[1] Millar, D.C., Light, J.C. & Schlosser, R.W. (2006) The impact of augmentative and alternative communication intervention on the speech production of individuals with developmental disabilities: A research review. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 49(2), pp. 248–264. https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2006/021)
[2] Tager-Flusberg, H. & Kasari, C. (2013) Minimally verbal school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder: The neglected end of the spectrum. Autism Research, 6(6), pp. 468–478. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1329
