Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
What Is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) are areas of clinical practices that help people with complex communication disorders. Complex communication disorders can involve trouble understanding or producing speech and language, whether spoken or written. AAC may involve a variety of techniques and tools, including low-tech and high-tech approaches, to help the individual express thoughts, wants and needs, feelings, and ideas.
Who May Benefit from AAC?
Individuals who may benefit from AAC include:
- Those who are unable to speak due to ventilator dependence, tracheostomy, significant oral or facial trauma, or laryngectomy
- Those with severe motor speech or language impairments such as dysarthria, apraxia, or aphasia
- Those with progressive neurologic diseases, such as ALS
Temporary vs. Permanent Use of AAC
AAC may be temporary, as when used by patients during recovery in intensive care after surgery, or permanent, as when used by an individual who will require the use of some form of AAC throughout their lifetime.
UR Medicine's Approach
UR Medicine's providers are experts in augmentative and alternative communication services. We see patients of all ages, from newborns to elders, and evaluate and treat people with speech pathology conditions, including communicative, hearing, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
How Does AAC Work?
AAC uses a range of tools and techniques to empower individuals to express their thoughts, needs, emotions, and ideas effectively.
Low Tech AAC
Low tech AAC may include:
- Writing
- Alphabet boards
- Picture communication boards
- Line drawings
- Tangible objects
- Manual signs
- Gestures
- Finger spelling
High-tech AAC
High-tech AAC may involve devices, such as:
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Dedicated speech-generating devices (SGDs)
AAC is augmentative when used to supplement existing speech, and alternative when used in place of speech that is absent or not functional. AAC may serve as a tool to help a person communicate independently as they work on spoken communication in speech therapy.
We collaborate with several device vendors to offer our patients a variety of options for devices and access methods, tailored to each patient’s specific needs and preferences. For additional information about specific AAC devices, please visit:
Speech-Language Pathology Evaluation & Therapy
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) have specialty training in evaluating individuals with communication impairments. Your SLP will help you determine whether alternative or augmentative communication is a good fit for your communication needs.
Evaluation for AAC
Your evaluation for AAC may include:
- Comprehensive evaluation of speech, language, and cognition.
- Screening of vision, hearing, and motor skills to determine the best AAC approaches and access methods.
- Device trials, which may be coordinated with an AAC vendor.
Treatment with AAC
Treatment may include:
- Setup and customization of the device.
- Training for the device user and their communication partners.
- Collaboration with other health professionals.
What Sets Us Apart?
Our speech-pathologists are licensed by the New York State Department of Education and hold Certificates of Clinical Competence for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), in addition to postgraduate training and certifications in several clinical subspecialties.
Our patients benefit from close collaboration with other specialty departments at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Team members from other disciplines may include audiologists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat), psychologists, behavioral specialists, dietitians, nutritional support specialists, rehabilitation specialists (including psychologists and occupational and physical therapists).
Providers
- Jaime Rosa Campeau, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist - Heather Coles, M.A. CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist - Judith Kennedy, M.S, CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist - Sheryl A.N. Maier, M.A., CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist, Manager of Outpatient Speech-Language Pathology - Kelly Julian O'Brien, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Providers
Locations
We serve you in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region.
1 location
Clinton Woods
2365 South Clinton Avenue, Suite 200
Rochester, NY 14618