Question

Please describe types of AAC devices that can be utilized with clients diagnosed with ASD. Provide types and descriptions and explain why you feel the device will help clients with ASD.

Answer 1

Individuals who use AAC have severe expressive communication disorders that are characterized by impairments in speech, language, reading, and writing. The list of populations below includes those who may have a temporary or permanent need for AAC to augment or replace other more traditional means of communication. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of individuals who may benefit from AAC intervention.

AAC users fall into two broad categories—those with congenital disabilities and those with acquired disabilities.

Congenital disabilities include

• autism spectrum disorder (ASD);
• cerebral palsy;
• developmental disabilities;
• intellectual disability;
• developmental apraxia of speech; and
• genetic disorders.

Individuals with congenital disabilities are acquiring language while using AAC strategies. For this population, AAC not only represents existing language but also is a tool to aid in expressive and receptive language acquisition and literacy development.

Acquired disabilities include

• cerebrovascular accidents;
• traumatic or acquired brain injuries;
• neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS], supranuclear palsy, primary progressive aphasia, and apraxia);
• disability following surgeries (e.g., glossectomy, laryngectomy); and
• temporary conditions (e.g., intubation) for patients in critical care settings.

AAC needs for individuals with acquired disabilities will vary and may change over time, depending on the intactness of their language and cognition at the time of injury as well as on disease onset and progression.

AAC Systems

An AAC system is an integrated group of components used to enhance communication. These components include forms of AAC (aided or unaided), symbols, selection techniques, and strategies.

The design of an AAC system incorporates each individual's strengths and needs. It incorporates the individual's full communication abilities and may include existing speech, vocalizations, gestures, languages spoken, and/or some form of external system (e.g., SGD).

An individual may use multiple modalities or many systems of AAC in combination, allowing for change based on context, audience, and communicative intent. A well-designed AAC system is flexible and adaptable. It allows for changes to vocabulary and mode of access as the individual's language and physical needs change over time. A well-designed system also maximizes the individual's abilities to communicate effectively and efficiently across environments and with a variety of communication partners (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013).

Forms (Unaided or Aided)

AAC is typically divided into two broad categories—unaided and aided.

Unaided forms of AAC do not require an external tool. Unaided forms require some degree of motor control.

Aided forms of AAC require some form of external support—either electronic or nonelectronic. Nonelectronic aided forms are often referred to as "light-tech" or "low-tech." Electronic forms are referred to as "high-tech." Examples are listed in the table below.

Forms of AAC
Unaided	Aided
No-tech	Low-/Light-Tech	High-Tech
Gestures Manual signs Facial expressions Vocalizations Verbalizations Body language	Pictures Objects Photographs Writing Communication boards/books