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What Is AAC? A Simple Guide for Parents (+Free AAC Resources)
- Kay Carson
- May 23
- 6 min read
Updated: May 29
If you have recently come across the term AAC and wondered what it means, whether it could help your child, or where to even start, you are not alone.
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In simple terms, AAC includes tools and strategies that help people communicate when speech is difficult, limited, emerging, or not available.
AAC can include picture icons, communication boards, gestures, sign language, speech apps, visual schedules, printed resources, and other communication supports. Some children use AAC alongside spoken language. Others use AAC as one of their main ways to communicate.
What Is AAC: What Does AAC Mean?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication. “Augmentative” means adding to communication. “Alternative” means using another way to communicate when speech is difficult or unavailable.
AAC is not one single product or app. It is a broad category of communication supports. For some families, AAC starts with a printed board on the fridge. For others, it may include a tablet-based speech app, visual schedule, sign language, or a mix of different tools.
AAC can be low-tech, high-tech, or somewhere in between. The best starting point is usually the tool a child can access, understand, and use during everyday routines.
Who Are AAC Users?
AAC can support many different types of communicators, including those with complex communication needs. A recent study estimates suggest around 1 in 200 people in the could benefit from AAC, though experts believe the real number may be higher.
Some children use AAC temporarily while developing speech, while others use AAC as part of their everyday communication.
Families often explore AAC for autistic children, children with cerebral palsy or ALS, down syndrome, speech delays, nonverbal or minimally speaking children, or children who benefit from visual communication supports to meet their communication needs.
AAC can help communicate wants, needs, and ideas when verbal speech is hard to understand or not available, supporting effective communication, independence, social inclusion, and participation in decisions.
AAC is often used alongside spoken language, gestures, routines, visual supports, sign language, and it can also replace speech when needed.
Many families naturally combine different communication tools throughout the day depending on their child’s needs, preferences, and environment, which can support social interaction, school participation and performance, and self-worth.
Types of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Tools
AAC tools can be simple or advanced, and AAC is a communication system that can involve no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech support through various methods.
A child might use unaided AAC such as gestures or sign language, or use aided AAC through printed picture icons during meals, a communication board during play, a visual schedule before school, or a speech-generating app on a tablet.
Common AAC tools include:
printable picture icons
communication boards
core word boards
visual schedules
speech-generating devices
tablet-based AAC apps
gestures and sign language
Some families are familiar with AAC apps such as TouchChat or Proloquo, which use picture-based symbols on tablets or devices.
Many families begin with printed visuals because they are affordable, easy to try, and simple to use during everyday routines as part of aided communication, while gestures and sign language an also be incoorperated as forms of unaided communication.
There is no single best AAC system; the right choice depends on the AAC user, their communication needs, and how the communication system may need to change over time.
Does AAC Delay Speech?
One of the most common parent worries is whether AAC will delay or stop a child from learning to speak, its actually the opposite.
Research shows AAC does not harm speech development, and often supports language development. Speech-language and pediatric sources generally recommend using it alongside speech rather than treating it as a last resort.
It can also make a child’s message clearer while speech is still developing.
For many children, AAC can reduce frustration and support interaction, language learning, and participation while speech is developing or when spoken words are not available.
Every child is different, so families should work with a speech-language pathologist to find the best strategies, therapies and tools.
Can AAC and Sign Language Be Used Together?
Yes. Many families use AAC and sign language together.
A child may use an ASL sign for “more,” point to an AAC icon for “eat,” gesture toward a toy, or use a spoken word, showing they may communicate in multiple ways. Unaided AAC can also include facial expressions, gestures, eye pointing, and sign language.
In some supportive signing approaches, signs are used in the same order as spoken words, while AAC can offer other forms of expression when needed. These are all communication.
My autisitc non-verbal toddlers struggled with eye contact, using sign language was a great way for them to learn to "listen with their eyes" — from personal experience, it has been a major unlock in commincation for our family.
Using multiple tools can give a child more ways to be understood across different environments, including with other kids and family members. Visual supports, AAC boards, and beginner ASL can work well together for young children and emerging communicators.
Why We Include AAC and ASL in Our Children's Books
This book series was created to help my autistic twins communicate and connect. Accessibility and early communication support were central to the project, that's why you will find so many free resources like the free AAC icon library, flashcards, and core board templates.
Like many families, we experienced long waitlists for speech-language services, the high cost of AAC apps and devices, and the feeling of wanting communication supports we could begin using right away at home.
Each book in the series includes beginner ASL signs, AAC-supported learning pages, visual communication supports, free downloadable resources and music videos to support all types of learners.
How to Start Using AAC at Home
You do not need to start with a perfect system, because there is no single best system and the right fit depends on the child. Many families begin with one routine and a few useful icons.
A simple place to start is mealtime. Try offering icons for “eat,” “drink,” “more,” “all done,” and a few favourite foods. Model the words naturally without pressure. You can point to the icon, say the word, use a sign, and respond warmly when your child communicates in any way.
A speech and language professional may assess cognitive, motor, linguistic, visual, and physical abilities when recommending an AAC system.
An SLP can work with the AAC user and communication partner to choose direct access, such as pointing to icons, or indirect access, such as partner assisted scanning, based on how the system will be used and the user’s specific needs.
AAC works best when it is part of real life. Use it during meals, play, reading, bath time, transitions, and daily routines.
Free AAC Resources for Parents
To help make AAC more accessible, we created a free AAC library with printable picture icons and visual communication supports. These AAC services may be used with support from Speech-Language Pathologists and shared with families, schools, or therapy settings.
You can use the free AAC resources to download individual icons, print communication boards, create simple core boards, and support everyday routines at home or in the classroom. These resources can also help build expressive language and literacy skills, not just support requesting or basic routines.
Some children start with a single message tool, a letter board, or printed supports before moving to more complex communication tools.
FAQ
What does AAC stand for?
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Is AAC only for nonverbal children?
No. AAC can support children who are nonverbal, minimally speaking, late talking, or developing communication in different ways. It may supplement speech or provide an alternative way to communicate when speech is limited or unavailable.
Can AAC and sign language be used together?
Yes. Many families use AAC alongside ASL signs, gestures, spoken language, and visual supports.
What are common AAC tools?
Common AAC tools include picture icons, communication boards, visual schedules, core boards, speech apps, and speech-generating devices. They can be organized in different ways and may include mobile apps, dedicated AAC devices, and low-tech tools like communication books, charts and images of real objects.
Where can I find free AAC resources?
You can explore free AAC icons, communication boards, and visual supports through the Carson House Publishing resource library.
Optional Sources and Further Reading
What counts as effective communication?
Effective communication occurs when a listener reaches successful understanding of the message, whether a child uses speech, signs, or AAC, and learning to model a new system can feel a bit like learning a foreign language.
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