# What techniques are used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?

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

AAC uses a flexible toolkit of techniques: unaided no-tech approaches (gestures, signs, eye gaze), aided low-tech tools (picture cards, communication boards, picture exchange) and aided high-tech options (speech-generating devices, AAC apps, switch and eye-gaze access). Most children use a multimodal mix chosen by a speech and language therapist, and AAC encourages rather than blocks spoken language. 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 tools give your child a voice — and AAC is the whole toolkit, from a pointed finger to a talking tablet.*

## In short
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is not one single method — it is a **flexible toolkit of techniques** used to support or replace spoken words so a child can express needs, choices and ideas. These range from **no-tech** approaches (gestures, signs, facial expression) to **low-tech** tools (picture cards, communication boards, books) and **high-tech** options (speech-generating devices and apps). A speech and language therapist chooses and combines these to fit your child — and using AAC *encourages* spoken language, it does not hold it back.

## The techniques used in AAC
**Unaided (no-tech) techniques** — these use only the body, nothing external:
- **Gestures and body language** — pointing, reaching, nodding.
- **Manual signs** — simple signing systems (such as Makaton-style key-word signing) paired with speech.
- **Facial expression and eye gaze** — looking towards a wanted object or person.

**Aided low-tech techniques** — simple physical tools, no battery needed:
- **Picture and symbol cards** — a child hands over or points to a picture to communicate.
- **Communication boards and books** — grids of symbols, photos or words a child selects from.
- **Picture-exchange approaches** — structured ways to teach a child to initiate by exchanging a symbol for what they want.
- **Choice boards and visual schedules** — supporting decisions and daily routines.

**Aided high-tech techniques** — electronic, voice-output tools:
- **Speech-generating devices (SGDs)** — press a symbol and the device speaks the word aloud.
- **AAC apps on tablets** — customisable symbol or text grids that talk.
- **Switch access and eye-gaze technology** — for children who cannot point with a finger, allowing selection by a button press or by looking.

Most children use a **mix** of these — often called a *multimodal* approach — chosen and built around your child's current abilities, then grown over time. The goal is always more communication, more often, in more places.

## When to seek a check
Consider a speech and language assessment if your child is not using words by around 18–24 months, has very limited ways to make needs known, becomes frustrated trying to communicate, or has a diagnosis (such as autism, cerebral palsy or a developmental delay) where communication support would help. AAC can begin early — there is no minimum spoken-word requirement, and it is never "too soon" to give a child a way to be heard.

## 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 there, a speech and language therapist builds a [communication and developmental profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and matches the right AAC techniques to your child through our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) support. Explore how communication grows at [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/).

## Trusted sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidance on augmentative and alternative communication; World Health Organization guidance on assistive technology and communication; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) developmental communication guidance.

**Next step —** Want to find the right way for your child to be heard? [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/
- WHO: Assistive technology: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: Communication development: https://www.healthychildren.org

## 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
- What is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-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
- 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
- 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
- What is AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-aac-augmentative-and-alternative-communication
- What happens during AAC sessions?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-happens-during-augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-sessions
- 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
- 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

### At home & in everyday life
- What AAC and communication tools help a non-verbal child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-aac-and-communication-tools-help-a-non-verbal-child
- 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
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- 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