# What is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a set of tools and strategies that support or replace spoken language so a child can express themselves. Augmentative means adding to existing speech; alternative means offering another route when speech is very limited. AAC ranges from gestures and picture cards to tablet apps and speech-generating devices — and, far from stopping speech, it is consistently linked with gains in spoken language.

*When words don't come easily, communication still can — through pictures, symbols, signs and speech-generating devices that give every child a voice.*

## In short
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a set of tools and strategies that support or replace spoken language so a child can express their needs, thoughts and personality. *Augmentative* means adding to whatever speech a child already has; *alternative* means offering another route when speech is very limited or not yet emerging. AAC ranges from simple picture cards and gestures to tablet apps and speech-generating devices — and, crucially, it does **not** stop a child learning to talk; research shows it often *encourages* spoken language to grow.

## What AAC looks like
AAC is usually grouped into two broad families. **Unaided** AAC uses only the body — gestures, facial expression, key-word signing and pointing. **Aided** AAC uses something external, which can be *low-tech* (picture boards, communication books, symbol cards) or *high-tech* (tablet apps and dedicated speech-generating devices that 'speak' when a child selects words or symbols). A speech and language therapist helps choose and personalise the right system for each child, building a vocabulary that fits their world — family names, favourite foods, play, feelings — and coaching the people around the child to model and respond. AAC suits many children: those who are minimally verbal, autistic children, children with cerebral palsy, apraxia of speech, or developmental delays affecting talking.

## A common worry, gently answered
Many families ask whether giving a child a 'shortcut' to communicate will make them stop trying to talk. The evidence is reassuring: AAC reduces the frustration of not being understood, builds the back-and-forth of communication, and is consistently linked with *gains* in spoken language, not losses. Think of AAC as a bridge that carries a child across to richer communication — by any means available — while speech continues to develop alongside it.

## The Pinnacle way
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care, never from an app or form. Our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) teams assess how your child communicates today, then introduce AAC as part of a warm, individualised plan that grows with them. Explore more about supportive communication on our [home pathway](/).

## Trusted sources
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on AAC systems and their role in supporting communication; the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren on supporting language development in children who are late to talk.

**Next step —** If your child finds spoken words hard, book a speech and language screen to explore whether AAC could give them a confident, joyful voice.

## Sources
- ASHA — Augmentative and Alternative Communication: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aac/
- HealthyChildren (AAP) — supporting language development: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/Language-Development-2-Year-Olds.aspx

## 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
- Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- 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
- How does AAC help a child develop?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-develop
- Which children benefit most from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/which-children-benefit-most-from-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac
- 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
- Is AAC backed by research evidence?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-backed-by-research-evidence

### Explore therapy & support
- What is AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-aac-augmentative-and-alternative-communication
- How does AAC support a non-verbal child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-aac-support-a-non-verbal-child
- 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 AAC Helps a Child with Intellectual Disability: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-with-intellectual-disability
- 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
- 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
- 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 happens during AAC sessions?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-happens-during-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-sessions
- 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
- 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 I expect from AAC?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-i-expect-from-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac
- 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