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AAC therapy for children

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

“The silence of speechlessness is never golden. We all need to communicate and connect with each other—not just in one way, but also in as many ways possible. It is a basic human need, a basic human right. And much more than this, it is a basic human power.”

– Bob Williams, an expert communicator via AAC

At Words Plus, we are dedicated to helping your child communicate and connect – authentically. Through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), we offer more ways to support your child’s journey to express themselves fully. 

What is AAC?

AAC includes systems and strategies to support communication beyond spoken words.

AAC supports expression and connection—whether through gestures, pictures, symbols, or speech-generating devices.

In fact, we all use forms of AAC every day when we make faces, use our hands to talk, type with emojis, send a picture, or write a letter to connect with another person and be understood.

AAC vs Visuals

AAC supports communication in its own right, alongside other modes such as speech. When Words Plus talks about AAC, we’re referring to what children can use to express themselves. 

Visual supports (i.e., visual schedules), on the other hand, are designed to help children understand and organize their day, similar to how you might use a day planner or calendar.

AAC and visuals serve a different purpose and are used differently. AAC can help the child to be the director, while visual supports can help direct the child’s day.  

Ways to use AAC

AAC supports communication in many ways.

AAC may be used alongside speech (augmentative) or as the most effective way for someone to express themselves (alternative). It can be used full-time or part-time, temporarily or across the lifespan, and is individualized based on each person’s preferences, environments, and meaningful communication needs.

 

Communication is about more than asking for things. AAC helps children:

  • Share ideas and experiences

  • Connect socially

  • Express feelings

  • Participate in play and learning

Supporting a wide range of communication purposes helps children build full communicative competence.

 


“But won’t it keep my child from learning to speak?”

This is one of the most common questions families ask when AAC is first introduced. Parents and caregivers can be reassured that AAC supports children’s access to language and communication—and research shows that this access does not hinder speech development and may support it for some children.

More importantly, AAC allows children to develop language and experience the power of being understood. Research shows that when children have reliable access to AAC, it supports language development, increases interaction and participation, improves understanding and reduces frustration.

Types of AAC

There are different AAC systems based on an AAC user’s unique needs and preferences.
These can include “unaided” and “aided” types. 

Unaided AAC (or "No-Tech") – does not require an external tool or technology 

  • Body Language: Hand-leading, gestures, pointing, facial expressions and eye gaze
  • Behaviour: Behaviours and actions can be communication too! 
  • Signs: While some people use sign language (i.e., American Sign Language) as AAC, it’s important to note that ASL and other sign languages are recognized as distinct languages with cultural significance for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

Aided AAC – uses materials, tools, or devices

Low-Tech

Objects, real photos, picture communication symbols (PCS), remnant books, communication books, PODD books, core vocabulary boards, flip-n-talks, QWERTY or alphabet boards, writing or drawing on a dry erase board or paper, clarification or topic boards, colour communication badges, etc.

Mid-Tech

Simple speech-generating devices (SGDs) like the GoTalk Go, GoTalk Fit,  GoTalk 9 + lite touch, or QuickTalker FeatherTouch, and buttons like little Step-by-Step

High-Tech

Advanced and dynamic speech-generating devices, including dedicated tablets or iPads equipped with AAC apps, like LAMP Words for Life, Proloquo, Proloquo2Go, TD Snap Motor Plan, and TouchChat HD – AAC with WordPower 

Funding for Communication Aids

Individual Authorizer

Tess Mayne, founder of Words Plus and speech-language pathologist (SLP), is an Individual Authorizer through Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program (ADP). Therefore, Tess is qualified to authorize certain low- and mid-tech communication aids eligible for government funding. Tess also honed her skills with high-tech AAC systems through her work in the Expanded Level Clinic at Ontario’s largest children’s treatment centre. If your child would benefit from a prescription for high-tech AAC, Words Plus can support a referral to, and collaborate with, your local General or Expanded Level AAC Clinic.

More About Tess Mayne

Who Can Benefit from AAC?

AAC is often associated with non-speaking individuals, but it has much broader applications. AAC is for anyone whose spoken communication does not meet all their needs. For example, AAC can be for:

Early Intervention of Speech and Language Development

AAC can support children who have emerging communication skills, or limited vocabulary. Studies show introducing AAC early actually enhances speech and language development. It reduces frustration and enhances vocabulary growth while supporting natural speech development. There are no “prerequisites.” Simply put, if a child’s communication abilities do not meet their communication needs, they are likely to benefit from AAC.

Clarification

AAC can support children who use some speech but are difficult for others to understand or whose speech does not fully express their ideas. For example, AAC can help people with motor speech disorders like Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) to clarify and augment their messages.

Autistic Individuals

Autistic individuals, whether speaking, minimally-speaking, or non-speaking, may benefit from AAC:

  • At Words Plus, we like to teach children in ways they learn best. Visual learners or those who benefit from predictability may really appreciate the structure and function of AAC systems.
  • We also know that AAC can support when speech is intermittently unavailable (i.e., a child who speaks, but not all the time), when speech is insufficient to express ideas completely, or when speech is unreliable and spoken words do not match their intentions.

AAC at Words Plus

Our Philosophy

All forms of communication are valid, and access is essential.

At Words Plus, we are guided by a neurodiversity-affirming, family-centred, and evidence-based approach. Providing AAC services that support children to make their own choices around communication modalities is an important aspect of neurodiversity-affirming care, as is valuing all forms of communication equally and recognizing that speech is not inherently superior to other modes of expression.

Our goal is to help children communicate authentically in ways that work best for them. And the goal of AAC is not just learning a device. It’s meaningful participation in everyday life, including relationships, learning, independence, and self-expression. Central to this is ensuring children have continuous access to appropriate AAC systems across environments and throughout the day, so they can express themselves, participate, and connect whenever and wherever communication is needed.

Learn more about Our Approach.

What to Expect

Comprehensive Assessment: 

  • Thorough evaluation of your child’s interests, needs, and strengths 
  • Collaboration with parents or caregivers to identify meaningful communication opportunities and co-create goals

System Selection and Trials:

  • Feature-matching to align systems with your child’s specific profile
  • Trials of systems, when possible, to determine best fit
  • Training for caregivers and other communication partners to ensure access and support successful implementation

Individualized Therapy:

We tailor treatment to meet each child’s unique profile, drawing on various neurodiversity-affirming and evidence-based approaches. For example:

  • Aided Language Stimulation: We use AAC to support language development, provide immersion, increase symbol comprehension, and encourage participation. At Words Plus, we model AAC not only to interpret what a child is signalling but also when sending our messages to them, demonstrating how AAC can be used in meaningful interactions.
  • Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning (LAMP): Rooted in connection, LAMP is a therapeutic approach that leverages consistent motor patterns and high-tech AAC to facilitate spontaneous communication. Expressive communication can sometimes become as quick and automatic as dialling a familiar passcode, using “muscle memory.”
  • Total communication (TC): A Total Communication (TC) or multimodal communication approach combines various types of AAC – such as gestures, low-tech systems, and high-tech devices – with speech. This approach honours and validates all forms of a child’s communication, whether it’s gesturing, hand-leading, crying, word approximations, or other methods. Every form of expression is recognized as meaningful and valuable, which encourages even more communication. At Words Plus, we prioritize a child’s access, communicative choice, and empowerment by implementing multimodal strategies, regardless of their spoken language status. Promoting and normalizing all types of communication is key to fostering a child’s self-determination and autonomy. Ensuring consistent opportunities to communicate across multiple modalities helps children to express themselves more effectively and authentically.

Collaboration to Maximize Success: 

  • At Words Plus, we work closely with families, educators and other professionals, to foster a supportive and inclusive environment. Such collaboration enhances everyone’s understanding of how to use the AAC system effectively and how best to interact with and support your child.
  • When Occupational Therapists (OTs) are involved, Words Plus likes to coordinate with them to support access to AAC by addressing challenges such as fine motor skills, positioning, and sensory processing differences that may impact a child’s ability to use their communication system effectively. Together, we ensure that AAC systems are accessible, comfortable, and functional in daily interactions.

How Do You Know If AAC Is Working?

Ultimately, our goal is for a child to use their AAC system to express themselves freely and fully. However, progress can take many forms, and there are many positive signs that AAC is working. For example, your child may start:

  • Reaching for, touching, or exploring the AAC system
  • Using AAC during play
  • Searching for their AAC device when it’s not present
  • Taking their AAC device out of their bag or cubby independently
  • Touching AAC following a modeled demonstration
  • Smiling or showing other changes in facial expression while you're using AAC
  • Navigating to a favorite page or item within the system
  • Increasing vocalizations or sounds
  • Using more spoken words
  • Showing more body movements or focused attention during interactions with AAC
  • Demonstrating improved understanding of communication following models
  • Showing less frustration (i.e., after you use AAC to interpret the child’s messages)

Your AAC Journey

Communication is a fundamental human right, and everyone deserves access. Children whose spoken communication does not fully or reliably express their needs and ideas may be able to communicate more effectively with AAC. 

Whether you’re exploring AAC for the first time, starting over with AAC, or looking for support with an existing system, Words Plus is here to help. Check out our Top 10 AAC Tips handout and Contact Us to schedule an assessment or learn more about how we can be of service.

Learn More:

Check out these other fantastic resources to learn more about AAC:

  • Video: Beyond Words with Catlaina Vrana and John Halloran, leaders in AAC education and advocacy.
  • Catlaina, an autistic AAC user herself, also authored and illustrated a beautiful children’s book called “Inside Words, Outside Words”