# What happens during AAC sessions? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-happens-during-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-sessions Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited During AAC sessions, a speech-language therapist helps a child communicate using gestures, picture symbols, boards or speech-generating devices, modelling the system in motivating play-based moments and coaching parents to use it at home. AAC supports spoken language rather than replacing it. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. *When words don't come easily, AAC gives your child a reliable, joyful way to be heard — and a good session feels like play, not work.* ## In short During an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) session, a speech-language therapist helps your child express themselves using tools beyond spoken words — gestures, picture symbols, communication boards, or speech-generating apps and devices. The therapist models how to use the system in real, motivating moments (snacks, play, choices), then coaches you to do the same at home. The goal is always *more* communication, in every way your child can — AAC supports speech, it never replaces or delays it. ## What actually happens in a session - **Choosing and tuning the tool** — the therapist explores what fits your child right now: simple picture cards, a core-word board, or a tablet-based speech-generating device, adjusting symbols and layout as skills grow. - **Modelling (aided language input)** — the therapist points to symbols *while* speaking, showing your child how the system maps to real words and ideas — the same way babies hear speech long before they talk. - **Motivating, play-based practice** — choices during games, snacks, songs and favourite activities give your child genuine reasons to communicate: requesting, refusing, commenting, greeting. - **Building core vocabulary** — high-use words like *more, stop, go, want, help* that unlock countless everyday messages. - **Parent coaching** — you learn to model and respond at home, because the richest communication practice happens in everyday family life. A myth worth clearing: research consistently shows AAC does **not** stop a child from speaking — for many children it actually encourages spoken words by reducing frustration and strengthening the link between thought and language. ## When to seek a check If your child is not yet using words or signs to communicate by the age you'd expect, becomes very frustrated trying to be understood, or relies mainly on crying or pulling you to things, a developmental and speech-language review helps. An early assessment lets a clinician see your child's strengths and decide whether AAC, spoken-language therapy, or both will help most. ## The Pinnacle way AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. From a precise [communication profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), your child's [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) plan is shaped around how they communicate best. Explore more support across our [network](/). ## Trusted sources American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidance on AAC; American Academy of Pediatrics family resources (HealthyChildren.org); WHO ICD-11 framework for communication and language. **Next step —** Want to give your child a confident way to be heard? [Book a speech-language assessment with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate). This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. ## Sources - ASHA — Augmentative and Alternative Communication: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aac/ - AAP — HealthyChildren.org: https://www.healthychildren.org - WHO ICD-11: https://icd.who.int ## Connected topics and perspectives - Therapies: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/therapies - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication - Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support - Plan: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/plan - Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Understand the subject - At what age can a child start augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-can-a-child-start-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - How does AAC help a child develop?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-develop - Is AAC backed by research evidence?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-backed-by-research-evidence - What is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - Which children benefit most from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/which-children-benefit-most-from-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac ### Explore therapy & support - How AAC Helps a Non-Verbal or Minimally Verbal Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-with-non-verbal-minimally-verbal-presentation - How AAC Helps a Child with Intellectual Disability: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-with-intellectual-disability - How can AAC help a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay - What is AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-aac-augmentative-and-alternative-communication - Is AAC usually one-on-one or in a group?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-usually-one-on-one-or-in-a-group - Are there any risks or side effects of AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-there-any-risks-or-side-effects-of-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - Combining AAC With Other Therapies: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-be-combined-with-other-therapies - Can augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) be done online?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-be-done-online - How many AAC sessions does a child usually need?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-many-sessions-of-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-does-a-child-usually-need - What goals does augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) work on?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-goals-does-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-work-on - What techniques are used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-techniques-are-used-in-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - How can AAC help a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-with-autism-spectrum ### At home & in everyday life - How can I support AAC goals at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-goals-at-home ### Follow progress - What progress can I expect from AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-i-expect-from-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - How is a child's progress measured in AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-a-child-s-progress-measured-in-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - How long does AAC take to show results?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-long-does-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-take-to-show-results - What progress can a child with autism make with AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-make-with-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - What progress can a child with Cerebral Palsy make with AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-cerebral-palsy-make-with-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - What progress can a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech make with AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-make-with-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - What progress can a child with Intellectual Disability make with AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-intellectual-disability-make-with-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - What progress can a child with Non-Verbal / Minimally Verbal Presentation make with AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-non-verbal-minimally-verbal-presentation-make-with-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac - What progress can a child with Speech and Language Delay make with AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay-make-with-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac ### Choose and access care - How do I find a good AAC provider for my child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-do-i-find-a-good-provider-of-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-for-my-child - What does AAC typically cost, and what affects the price?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-typically-cost-and-what-affects-the-price - What qualifications should an AAC therapist have?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-qualifications-should-a-therapist-providing-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-have