# What progress can I expect from AAC? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-i-expect-from-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited With AAC, most children gradually build a reliable way to request, choose, refuse, comment and connect — progressing from single requests to combining symbols to fuller conversation. AAC does not stop speech and often supports it. Progress depends on daily modelling by the adults around the child. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. *When words are hard to find, the right voice — picture, button, or device — can finally let your child be heard.* ## In short With augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), most children gradually build a reliable way to **say what they want, refuse, choose, comment and connect** — using pictures, symbols, signs or a speech-generating device. Progress is steady rather than instant, and follows a path: first single requests, then combining words, then richer back-and-forth conversation. Importantly, AAC does **not** stop spoken speech — research consistently shows it often *supports* and encourages talking. ## What progress can look like Every child's journey is their own, but a common pattern emerges: - **Early weeks** — your child learns that pressing a button or pointing to a symbol *makes something happen* (cause and effect). They begin requesting favourite things — a snack, a toy, "more". - **Building months** — a growing vocabulary, then combining two symbols ("want juice", "go park"). Frustration and meltdowns often ease as your child can finally make needs known. - **Over time** — commenting ("that's funny"), asking questions, refusing, and joining conversations. Many children also show gains in attention, social connection and, for some, increased spoken words. Progress depends on consistent **modelling** — the adults around your child using the AAC system themselves, every day, in real situations. AAC is a long-term communication tool, not a quick fix, and the families who model it warmly at home tend to see the richest growth. ## What helps it work - A system matched to your child's abilities and chosen *with* a speech-language therapist. - Using AAC across home, therapy and school — not just in sessions. - Patience and presumed competence: assuming your child has things to say, and giving them time to say them. ## 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. Your child's AAC plan is shaped from a precise [communication profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and delivered through our [speech and language therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) support, with coaching so the whole family can model the system at home. Explore how we [help every child find their voice](/). ## Trusted sources American Speech-Language-Hearing Association guidance on augmentative and alternative communication; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) communication guidance; WHO healthy child development resources. **Next step —** Want to know which AAC approach fits your child best? [Book a communication 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 — communication development: https://www.healthychildren.org - WHO — healthy child development: https://www.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 - Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment ## 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 - 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 - 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 - How can AAC help a child with Cerebral Palsy?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-with-cerebral-palsy - How AAC helps a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-help-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech - 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 ### 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 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 - 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 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 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 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 ### 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