Augmentative and

Alternative
Communication (AAC )
EDUU-677
Presented by: S. Doumerc, J. Ederaine, J. Erlandson, C. Esteves,
and M. Garcia
 What is AAC ?
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication
(AAC)? It encomposses all the ways we express our feelings
and ideas without actually speaking. It could be a simple
gesture, facial expression, note, or American Sign
Language. It comes in all forms from no technology, to
low-tech, to high-tech. Most devices allow the user to
“speak” words or sentences where language was once
limited or nonexistent, thus giving the once silent a voice.
Our presentation will explore low to high tech options for
people with ASD.
 What does the research say?
Does research support the use of AAC for people with
ASD?Communication skills and other behavior skills can be
greatly impacted by the use of an AAC. Other significant
improvements have been seen in social skills, spelling, and
challenging behavior reduction. Improved communication
leads to higher social interaction and academics(Ganz,
2011).The benefits of the AAC device use greatly depends
upon getting the correct device with the right
individualization. It is recommended that an AAC
evaluation be done by a licensed SLP in collaboration with
the individual who will utilize the device and his or her
support team (Hopf, n.d.)
Picture Exchange Communication System
(PECS)
What is PECS?

● Program designed for early nonverbal

symbolic communication training
● Primary goal is to teach functional
communication
● Exchange of pictures takes place through
prompting and reinforcing strategies,
leading to independent communication
● Augmentative communication system for
children and adults to teach them to
initiate communication
Utilizing PECS
Taught through 6 Phases

Phase 1- Individual exchanges single picture for desired item

Phase 2- Practices exchange with single picture across different places with different people and
across distances to learn to be more persistent

Phase 3- Individual learns to select from two or more pictures to ask for a desired item

Phase 4- Constructs simple sentences using the sentence starter “I want” followed by picture of
desired Item

Phase 5- Learns to use PECS to answer the question “What do you want?”

Phase 6- Taught to comment in response to questions such as “What do you see?” “What is it?” by
constructing sentences using sentence starters such as “I see” and “It is”
Arthur’s Story: The Phases of PECS
Resources and References for PECS

https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/what-is-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-or-p
ecs

https://pecsusa.com/pecs/

https://www.nationalautismresources.com/the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs/
 Proloquo2Go
Proloquo2GO is an (AAC) application for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices, and even
some Android devices. It provides a "voice" for people who find it hard to speak or who
have no speech at all. It is one of the few devices that is able to grow and develop with all
aged users. It has 23 grid sizes that displays the thematic templates used for speech.
You can even customize it with real pictures. It uses the EBP of visual supports and
symbols coupled with text for each word choice. It starts with 200-400 words, which is
known as our core vocabulary, with 1,000 or more fringe words, or words not used daily,
available “at the touch of a button” with the progressive language feature. Branching
sentence starters empowers the user to build grammatically correct sentences, using
core and fringe vocabulary.
 Proloquo2Go
Customizations can reach all learners with varying abilities, fine motor skills, visual skills and home
language preferences.SLPs usually aid with the personalization to make sure it is tailor-made. There
are 100 free natural sounding languages, or you may add your own child’s voice to it. It claims to be
bilingual and capable of even supporting language switches mid-sentence.Teachers give
Proloquo2Go high ratings based on the ease of use and the thematic templates available that can
easily be set up like a visual schedule, scaffolding language specific to each subject area.
Proloquo2Go

Proloquo2Go is available in many

languages and bilingual options.
 Proloquo2Go & Introduction
References and Links
Assistiveware.( 2012, January 21). Proloquo2Go- Tell Us , We Want to Know [video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xuUWxIY7SM

Ganz, J. B., Earles-Vollrath, T. L., Heath, A. K., Parker, R. I., Rispoli, M. J., & Duran, J. B. (2011). A Meta-Analysis of
Single Case Research Studies on Aided Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems with
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(1), 60–74.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-011-1212-2
Hopf, R. (n.d.). The Augmentative/Alternative Communication Spectrum. Retrieved May 9, 2020, from
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/the-augmentative-alternative-communication-spectrum.html

Sennott, Samuel & Bowker, Adam. (2009). Autism, AAC, and Proloquo2Go. Perspectives on Augmentative and
Alternative Communication. 18. 137-145. 10.1044/aac18.4.137.
 Tobii-Dynavox
What is Tobii-Dynavox?
● Tobii-Dynavox platform is a company that produces speech devices for
individuals that have difficulty communicating their wants and needs
● Tobii-Dynavox is a high tech Augmentative Alternative Communication
(AAC) speech generating device
● The Tobii-Dynavox is a computer based AAC and can be used for individuals
with ASD as well as for other individuals who have varying speech deficits
such in relation to Cerebral Palsy, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
● Components of Picture Exchange Communication is embedded into the
Tobii-Dynavox computer system to support communication
● Tobii-Dynavox as an AAC has features like eye gaze to support individuals
that are non-verbal
 Utilizing Tobii-Dynavox
Best-Practices for Using Tobii-Dynavox
For Teachers:
● Education professionals should use Tobbii-Dynavox as an instructional tool
to support students in learning how to communicate with the support of
technology
● Accessible Literacy Learning (ALL) is an evidence-based software that can
be used on a Tobbii-Dynavox to support students with sound blending,
phoneme segmentation, single word decoding, and sight word recognition.
● Collaborate with the Speech Language Pathologist and the AAC specialist in
your district for training on how to individualize Tobii-Dynavox to fit your
students needs
 Utilizing Tobii-Dynavox
Best-Practices for Using Tobii-Dynavox

For Individuals:
● Use to communicate in social settings to express yourself
● Can aide in sending text messages and emails
● Utilize the eye-gazing software to assist with communicating needs
and wants
● Provides a voice to the voiceless
● Through a rechargeable battery it can easily travel with you
● Use to contribute ideas and thoughts into a conversation
 Videos of Individuals Utilizing
Tobii-Dynavox
Ava is a 5 year old girl with RETT Steve is an adult with ALS using Tobbii-Dynvaox
Syndrome using Tobii
 References for
Tobii-Dynavox
● Hopf, R. (2016). The augmentative/alternative communication
spectrum. The Reporter, 21(11). Retrieved from
the-augmentative-alternative-communication-spectrum.
● What is AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)? (n.d.).
Retrieved from
https://www.tobiidynavox.com/en-US/learn/what-is-aac/
● Steve’s Story-Tobii Dynavox. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ35Zp8ZrJw
● Ava’s Story-Tobii Dynavox. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ35Zp8ZrJw
 Speech Generating Devices
What are Speech Generating Devices?
● Speech-generating devices are hand-held electronic devices that play
pre-recorded words or phrases when the user flips a switch or presses
buttons or keys.
● Some devices ‘speak’ words as the words are typed on a keyboard.
● These devices are also known as communication devices, electronic
augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices or systems, and
voice output communication aids (RaisingChildren, 2020).
● Ideally, AAC technology contains “core vocabulary.” This includes a core set
of graphic symbols applicable to many situation, locations and
communication partners. It also includes user-specific vocabulary that
reflects the learner’s life and interests, such as favorite movie characters and
beloved toys (Autism Speaks, 2015).

Who uses Speech Generating Devices?

● Speech-generating devices are used to replace speech for individuals
with severe speech impairments.
 Speech Generating Devices continued
Tobii What are some of the devices on the
market?
Wego
Liberator Rugged

Nova Chat

Chat Fusion

Go Talk Express
Dynavox Accent Products
Speech Generating Devices (Resources and Links)
Links:

http://tatp.edb.utexas.edu/products.php?scid=27

https://aacapps.com/lamp/

https://www.assistiveware.com/product/proloquo2go

Resources:

Raising Children. (2020) Speech-generating devices (SDG) Retrieved from:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-guide/sgds

Autism Speaks (2015) Autism and speech devices: Helping kids advance skills as they
mature. Retrieved from:

https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/autism-and-speech-devices-helping-ki
ds-advance-skills-they-mature
 Other Tablet/Smart Phone Apps
Communication devices, also known as AAC devices, can be incredibly
useful tools to help an individual who can't talk learn to connect with
others around them. These applications are used for children who have
difficulty conveying their thoughts and ideas by expression. An
alternative means of communication may be beneficial for these children.

The launch of the iPad and other mobile devices has provided many
positive benefits for individuals with specific communication needs
needing AAC, including increased recognition and social acceptance of
AAC, increased customer confidence in obtaining AAC solutions,
increased usage of AAC technology , increased functionality and
interconnectedness, and increased dissemination of research and
development of AAC(McNaughton & Light, 2013).
TouchChat DynaVox Compass

Avaz TapSpeak Sequence

 Other Tablet/Smart Phone Apps
(Resources and Links)
Clark, C. (2019, June 28). Communication Apps: The Best AAC Apps for Kids. Retrieved from
https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/aac-apps-review/

McNaughton, D., & Light, J. (2013, May 27). The iPad and Mobile Technology Revolution:
Benefits and Challenges for Individuals who require Augmentative and Alternative
Communication. Retrieved from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/07434618.2013.784930

Spectronics inclusive learning technologies. (n.d.). iPhone/iPad Apps for AAC. Retrieved from
http://www.spectronics.com.au/iphoneipad-apps-for-aac