Why does Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Work so Well for People with Autism?

Why does Augmentative and Alternative Communiation (ACC) work so well for people with autism?

In a leading book on AAC by Joanne Cafiero, PhD, Meaningful Exchanges for People with Autism, www.woodbinehouse.com, Dr. Cafiero talks about all the ways AAC fits people with autism well (page 26)

Most people with autism are visual learner - AAC uses visual cues
Many people with autism are interested in inanimate objects - AAC tools and devices are inanimate
Many people with autism have difficulty with complex cues - Level of complexity can be controlled so AAC grows with the child
Many people with autism have difficulty with change - AAC is static and predictable
Most people with autism have difficulty with the complexities of social interaction - AAC provides a buffer and bridge between communication partners
Some people with autism have difficulty with motor planning - AAC is motorically easier than speech
Many people with autism experience anxiety - AAC interventions don’t apply pressure or stress (when introduced properly)
Many people with autism present behavioral challenges - AAC provides an instant means to communicate, preempting difficult behaviors
Many people with autism have difficulty with memory - AAC provides means for language comprehension that relies on recognition rather than memory.
On page 33, Dr. Cafiero lists the benefits of AAC for individuals with autism:
May stimulate brain development
Supports functional spontaneous communication
Facilitates access to social information
Facilitates inclusion at home, school, and community
Facilitates greater independence in the home, school, and community
Facilitates access to literacy experiences
Preempts the need to develop aberrant communicative behaviors (reduces meltdowns) Provides voice and ears to people with autism, including psychological benefits of better understanding others and being understood
Facilitates an improved sense of self concept due to greater independence and fewer outbursts

Is an augmentative communication device only appropriate for who are non-verbal?

Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) are programmed to provide a functional and effective vocabulary for any individual with communication problems, regardless of age or diagnosis. There are no cognitive, behavioral, or language prerequisites required for most augmentative communication interventions. Nearly anyone can benefit from augmentative communication tools and strategies.

SGDs are intended to enhance existing functional communication by:

1) Clarifying vocalizations, gestures, body language, etc.
2) Expanding the language of limited speakers by increasing their vocabulary to include verbs, descriptors, exclamatory comments, etc.
3) Replacing speech for people who are nonverbal;
4) Providing the structures and tools to develop language.

To learn much more about augmentative communication devices (speech generating devices) for people with autism, go to www.myarchway.org and click on the menu choice called Augmentative Communication.

There you will find a broad table of contents on this subject including:

Why does Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC) work so well for people with autism?
Is an augmentative communication device only appropriate for people who are non-verbal?
How do augmentative communication devices work?
What are the ranges of topics an AAC user can communicate about using an augmentative communication device?
Where can I learn about the many different types of AAC Devices?
If my child learns to use an Speech Generating Device (SGD), will they become overly dependant on the device to communicate and will they stop using the words and functional spontaneous communication they already have?
How much do these SGDs cost and will my private insurance cover the costs?
Where can I go to learn about and actually try out a variety of ACC devices?
Are there helpful websites about AAC strategies and topics?
Where can I receive advice, consultation and an AAC assessment on which particular SGD will best serve my child’s needs and where can I be trained on how to use a device?
Are there Speech and Language Pathologist jobs in Maryland where training is provided on AAC?

For those interested in finding community housing options for adults with autism as part of life planning, go to www.myarchway.ning.com and join ARCHway. You will be invited to participate in free webinars in the near future on developing community housing options for adults with autism.

To see our public service announcement that has been seen by nearly 15 million people to date, go to You Tube and search the term "autism housing" or go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtdo6Zh4ok4

Karen Kaye-Beall, director of ARCHway-FAST