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AAC Awareness Month

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October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication awareness month

 

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

AAC refers to any system of communication that is used alongside or instead of speech to help people with oral communication impairments. AAC includes a range of systems:

  • eye pointing
  • facial expression
  • gesture
  • signing
  • objects of reference
  • communication books
  • communication boards
  • single recorded message output devices
  • high tech voice output communication aids
Depending upon the individuals needs, AAC may be used temporarily or on a permanent basis. It is common for a number of different communication approaches to be used by the same person, dependent upon context, communication partners, competence and personal preference which may change over time.

 

Who uses AAC?

AAC is accessible by a broad range of children and adults. Their communication difficulties could be:

  • acquired e.g. caused by a traumatic brain injury
  • developmental e.g. as a result of learning difficulties
  • congenital e.g. cerebral palsy
  • resulting from a progressive neurological condition e.g Parkinsons disease

Shining a light on AAC Report

The Shining a light on AAC report was funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund. The research found the 0.5% of the UK population (330, 000 people) could benefit from some type of AAC. Of these, 31,600 could be using powered communication aids. The research implies only 9,000 currently are. It also discovered that 75,000 children and young people across the UK are benefitting or could benefit from AAC support. 7,500 of these could benefit from powered communication aids. 2,000 children and young people currently have access to AAC suggesting that 5,500 of those who could benefit are without access.

 

How can ITS help an AAC user?

If you or a family member could benefit from using AAC, ITS can help. We would be happy to provide you with information regarding the most appropriate AAC system for you or your family member and/or how to use it. If you have an existing AAC device and would like to have its use reviewed to ensure that you are benefitting from its full potential, this is also something that we would be happy to advise on.

 

How can I contact ITS?

Telephone: 0845 838 291. We are happy to provide a complimentary telephone consultation.
Email: info@integratedtreatments.co.uk

Confidential Enquiry Form

 
Further information
The AAC knowledge website

Information on communication aids available in the UK
For support and information about AAC
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication – International AAC Awareness month https://www.isaac-online.org/english/aac-awareness/international-aac-awareness-month/

References:

Communication Matters. The Future of AAC Services in England – a framework for equitable and effective commissioning. 2013. http://tinyurl.com/nu6tezx

Harris, C., 2013.  The right to communicate, Bulletin, October, 2013, pp10-13

Hodge, S. 2007. Why is the potential of augmentative and alternative communication not being realised? Exploring the experiences of people who use communication aids. Disability and Society, 22, 457-471

Marshall, J. & Goldbart, J. 2008. ‘Communication is everything I think’. Parenting a child who needs Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). International journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 43, 77-98

 

Victoria Taylor

07/10/2013

Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services.

 

I.T.S is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire, East Midlands and Southern England. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Psychotherapists

 

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Children & Cerebral Palsy
Communication in Brain Injury

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