Who has Complex Communication Needs (CCN)?
People with CCN are those who communicate with facial expressions, body language, or gestures but do not speak, speak little, or have speech that is difficult to understand. CCN occur in individuals Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, autism, apraxia of speech, and others. Approximately 30% of autistic children have CCN.
What is Augmentative Communication and how is it used in children?
Augmentative Communication, also known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to the use of pictures, books, boards with symbols, text or letters, tablets, computers, signs and gestures to support the communication of people who do not speak or whose speech is not enough to meet their communicative needs.
AAC is often used in parallel with traditional speech therapy to help children communicate. The idea is to explore whether communication improves by giving the child alternative tools or strategies to speech.
How will speech development be affected by introducing AAC to my child? Won't they use gestures or pictures as crutches instead of talking?
NO!... Research studies have shown that the use of AAC does not diminish or hinder the acquisition, development, or use of speech. In fact, in some cases, using AAC improves language skills in children and adults with different disabilities and profiles. AAC systems are often used as temporary methods while individuals develop speech and language.
My child does not speak or speaks little... how do I know which AAC system he/she needs? How do I get started?
Ideally, you should seek an AAC specialist to complete an AAC evaluation for your child. The communication skills of people with speech limitations vary widely. There are many types of AAC systems, and no single system works for everyone. The AAC system must be adjusted to the abilities, needs and interests of each individual. The professional can be a speech therapist or a speech- language pathologist; it can also be a teacher, psychologist, etc. During the evaluation, the specialist works collaboratively with the family and other professionals close to the child to determine the appropriate system.
How is AAC taught and who teaches children to use AAC?
The AAC specialist trains close communication partners (i.e., parents, teachers, therapists) in the task of teaching the child to use the system. Teaching is not done exclusively in language therapy sessions, but mostly during daily routines and in natural environments (i.e., when eating, playing, going for a walk, at school, etc.) This means that the role of parents and teachers is essential. in the learning process . Learning to communicate with AAC is not always easy. It requires patience, consistency and perseverance, but it is worth it! requires patience, consistency and perseverance, but it is worth it!
For more information about Augmentative Systems:
SPL.TL Alicia García