Understanding the Basics of AAC
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
You’re sitting with your child at a busy playground. Other kids are yelling, pointing, giggling—making themselves heard. Your child is flapping with excitement, watching everything, but their mouth stays closed. You know they have thoughts. You’ve seen it in their eyes. But when the moment comes for them to speak—nothing. And your heart cracks a little because you just want them to be understood.
If you’re here, it probably means someone has mentioned AAC—maybe a speech therapist, maybe another parent. Maybe you’re searching late at night, asking if there’s something that can help your child be heard without depending on speech. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) might sound technical, but at its heart, it’s about connection. It's about giving your child a voice in a way that works for them, not forcing them into someone else's idea of communication.
What Does “AAC” Actually Mean?
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative (or assistive) Communication. That’s a long way of saying any method someone uses to communicate when talking with their mouth isn't working well enough. Some kids use AAC because they can’t speak. Others do speak but benefit from another method to reduce frustration or fatigue, especially in noisy environments or during moments of sensory overload.
AAC tools range from very simple to highly advanced. These include:
- A laminated picture board with icons like “eat,” “stop,” “help”
- An app on a tablet that lets your child tap out full sentences
- A switch or eye-tracking system that speaks for a child with limited motor control
- A set of hand signs they learn and teach others to use with them
AAC can be a long-term support or a temporary bridge. Every journey looks different.
Isn’t AAC Just for Nonverbal Kids?
No. And this is one of the most damaging myths.
Many kids who speak also use AAC. Some are minimally verbal or intermittently verbal—they can say words but not always reliably. Stress, illness, anxiety, sensory overload, and even excitement can all make speech harder. AAC gives kids another way to keep participating when speech isn’t accessible.
AAC doesn’t discourage speech either. In fact, research keeps showing that using AAC supports spoken language development, not the other way around. Kids who use AAC often feel more confident, which can make speech more comfortable too.
What Types of AAC Devices Are There?
AAC is usually split into two categories:
Unaided AAC
This is any communication that doesn’t need an external device. It includes:
- Sign language
- Gestures
- Facial expressions
These methods are always “on,” but they depend on other people understanding those signs.
Aided AAC
These tools involve physical support:
- Low-tech: Paper-based boards, picture cards, communication books
- Mid-tech: Simple buttons that play recorded messages (for example, "I want more!")
- High-tech: Speech-generating devices or apps with voice output and advanced vocabulary systems
Some families start with printed symbols and move to a tablet-based system later. Others use both side by side.
It’s never about picking one device and being done. It’s about building a toolbox that can flex with your child’s needs, day to day and year to year.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs AAC?
You don’t have to wait until your child “fails” at speech to explore AAC. If your child struggles to get their needs met using their mouth alone—and it's causing distress, isolation, or delays in learning—it’s time to look at options.
Ask yourself:
- Do they often get frustrated trying to express themselves?
- Do they rely on gestures or pulling your hand?
- Do you guess what they mean and still get it wrong?
If the answer is yes more often than not, AAC might help.
A good starting point is your child’s speech-language pathologist (SLP). They can guide you through assessments, trials, and choosing tools that match your child’s motor skills, interests, and goals. If you don’t have an SLP, you can still advocate for an AAC evaluation—public schools, early intervention programs, and private clinics can all provide support.
Is AAC Just for Use at School or Therapy?
Absolutely not. For AAC to work, it has to be part of everyday life.
Think of it like learning a new language—you can’t become fluent if you only practice 30 minutes a week in a clinical setting. AAC should be accessible at home, on the go, at the park, in the bathtub, during family meals, and yes, even at bedtime.
Will My Child Be "Stuck" with AAC Forever?
Maybe. Maybe not. But the more helpful question is: will they be understood?
Some kids outgrow AAC as their speech develops. Others grow into it, finding that having both AAC and speech gives them more control over how they connect with others. AAC is not a failure. It's a tool. And it can coexist with speech.
Many adults who use AAC say they wish they’d had access sooner. Waiting for speech to “catch up” can delay development in so many other areas—academic learning, social connection, emotional regulation. Giving kids a way to communicate now opens doors they may not even realize are closed.
How Do I Support My Child Using AAC?
Your role becomes the magic ingredient. Tools are tools—but kids need humans who model, encourage, and believe in the system.
- Model the AAC yourself: If your child uses a symbol board, point to it as you talk. If they use an app, use it to say something simple like “snack” or “go outside.”
- Keep it available: Don’t leave the device in a bag or on a charger all day. Make it as accessible as a voice would be.
- Don’t pressure, just invite: Offer opportunities to use AAC during play, routines, or with siblings. Think tea parties, dress-up, pretend play.
- Respect all communication: Gestures, looks, signs—they all count. AAC supplements communication. It doesn't replace other methods.
- Get support for yourself: Join AAC parent groups, attend workshops, or ask your SLP for coaching. Imperfect modeling is better than none.
For better familiarization you could purchase a model AAC device specifically made to support your child and help them adapt.
How to Talk to Others About Your Child’s AAC Use
Other adults might not understand AAC. You may need to explain:
- "This is how they tell us what they know. They’re just using a different system."
- "You can talk to them just like any other child. Give them time to answer."
- "It helps if you model what you’re saying on their device too."
In hospital settings, pairing an AAC device with visual cues or play tools can help others engage more respectfully.
Bottom Line
Your child deserves to be heard—not in a few years, not after catching up, but now. AAC opens communication, builds relationships, and supports autonomy. It’s not a backup plan. It’s a communication plan.
At The Butterfly Pig, we believe in creating play environments that make AAC feel natural, not clinical. When a child picks up a pretend otoscope and "tells" you it’s time for a check-up using their board or tablet, they’re doing something profound. They’re taking charge of their story. That’s communication with power and joy.
Every child deserves that.