Sadie Childs - Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)

I work as a specialist paediatric speech and language therapist and form part of the Communication Outreach Team for children with complex needs, specialising in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC).

I work consultatively in family homes, clinics, mainstream nurseries and school and special school settings to develop children’s functional communication.

Children need reasons and opportunities to develop their communication skills but without a means of communication, communication cannot happen.

For some children speech may not develop or may not be an effectively way to express their wants and needs.

Implementing AAC is a way to replace and/or support spoken language to give a child a voice or to make their message clearer, whether communicating a single word or complex sentence structure. 

There are many different types of AAC available including unaided (such as facial expressions, body language, gestures and sign language), aided systems (such as objects of reference, symbol boards, choice cards, communication books, keyboards and alphabet charts, and speech-generating devices).

Many factors go into making the right choice: the child’s physical access, sensory needs, cognitive abilities, language and literacy skills, and support available in the environment.  A dynamic assessment and trail period help to identify a good AAC match.

The people around the child are really important. For any AAC system to be successful children must be supported by competent communication partners. 

Communication partners need to build their skills to support and interact with AAC users. Not only must they be familiar with the chosen AAC system but must learn to model, wait, prompt and respond effectively.

Therefore, training and close working with parents/carers and education staff is an essential part of my role.

There are so many benefits to AAC and setting holistic therapeutic targets is key to achieving these.

Targets aim not just to improve a child’s functional communication but also to impact their emotional wellbeing; reducing frustration, increasing confidence, independence and participation in social interaction and learning and allowing them to form stronger relationships and friendships.

Working in AAC in extremely rewarding. There is so much to be achieved when we give a child a means to communicate.