AAC: Definition of 

Augmentative

and Augmentative Communication - Disability Pathway

Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) represents an essential pillar in the field of disability and communication. It provides innovative and personalized solutions for individuals with limited or nonexistent oral language. By improving access to communication, AAC transforms the daily lives of many individuals by enabling them to understand their environment, express themselves more freely, and actively participate in society.

Today, thanks to Pictalk, our little brother Pablo can plan his activities, express his needs, or talk about his weekend, which not only facilitates his interactions and social integration but also enhances his autonomy.

What is Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)?

Definition of AAC

Alternative and Augmentative Communication is a set of methods and tools designed to help individuals encountering difficulties accessing oral language. AAC can include various techniques ranging from the use of visual symbols, such as pictograms or signs, to the use of sophisticated technologies, such as digital applications. These communication systems are essential for improving the quality of life of individuals by providing them with means to communicate.

Basic principles of AAC

The fundamental principles of AAC are based on the idea of inclusivity and accessibility. The primary objective is to provide communication solutions tailored to the individual capabilities of each user. This includes the creation of personalized communication boards (such as TLAs) and the integration of communication tools that facilitate social interaction. By focusing on autonomy and active participation, AAC enables individuals to better integrate into their family, educational, and professional environments.

Differences between alternative communication and augmentative communication

It is crucial to understand the distinction between alternative communication and augmentative communication. Alternative communication provides solutions for individuals with difficulties accessing oral language by offering entirely different means of communication. In contrast, augmentative communication aims to enhance existing communication capabilities by adding supplementary tools, such as visual or auditory aids, to improve the effectiveness of existing oral communication.

What are the benefits of AAC?

How can AAC improve daily life?

By allowing for a better understanding of the environment and effective expression of needs, desires, and emotions, AAC reduces behavioral issues related to a lack of communication. The daily lives of individuals with oral language disorders are thus improved, as well as those of their surroundings. 

Impact of AAC on personal autonomy

Personal autonomy is a direct consequence of the effective use of AAC. By providing users with the means to communicate their thoughts and needs, AAC fosters autonomy and self-confidence. Users can make informed decisions, advocate for their rights, and lead more fulfilling lives.

Thanks to AAC, Pablo has gradually overcome his isolation and behavioral issues. By initially adopting signs and pictograms, followed by communication and time management boards, he has gained personal and social autonomy. Thanks to a constant learning effort and the investment of his family and educational surroundings, he is now able to go to the bakery alone to order baguettes, for instance, discuss his weekend, or manage his schedule.

What tools are used in AAC?

Presentation of key AAC tools

AAC tools include a wide range of devices and techniques. Among them are signs, pictograms, communication boards, speech synthesis software, and mobile applications designed to facilitate interaction. Each tool is selected based on the specific needs of the user for a more personalized and effective approach.

Communication boards such as PODD, PECS, TLA

Communication applications such as Pictalk communication

Sign language such as Makaton, LSF

Speech therapists can provide you with more information and support you in choosing the method and tool best suited to your needs. Associations such as ISAAC, CAApables, or Handiapason can also provide AAC materials and information.

Use of pictograms in AAC

Pictograms play a crucial role in AAC, especially for users with cognitive disabilities. These simplified visual symbols enable quick and effective communication by facilitating the understanding and expression of complex ideas. The use of pictograms is often integrated into communication systems to provide clear and intuitive visual cues.

SCLERA: black and white pictograms with little detail

ARASAAC: detailed and colorful pictograms

TAWASOL: pictograms specialized in Arabic culture

MULBERRY: detailed and colorful pictograms

Communication using signs and pictograms encourages users to simplify and structure messages for the sake of efficiency. This allows for better understanding of instructions and messages, as well as modeling and structuring thought.

Pictograms are a major asset in setting up a visual schedule. They allow for better management of stress related to time management.

Assistive technologies in AAC

Assistive technologies represent a significant advancement in the field of AAC. These technologies include portable electronic devices, learning applications, and speech synthesis systems. They expand communication possibilities and adapt AAC tools to technological advancements, making communication more accessible and interactive.

Initially, Pablo used signs and a binder containing paper pictograms, essential tools for alternative and augmentative communication. As he grew, these supports, very effective in a family and educational context, proved inadequate when interacting with untrained interlocutors. Thus, always aiming for the future autonomy of our little brother, a digital application on a mobile phone seemed more suited to his adult needs. Hence, Pablo adopted Pictalk communication on a second-hand phone, providing him with a high-tech interface that facilitates smoother, more effective, and accessible communication anywhere and anytime.

How to integrate an AAC system?

Steps to implement an AAC system

The implementation of an AAC system begins with an assessment of the user's needs. This includes analyzing existing communication capabilities and selecting the most appropriate tools. Training users and their surroundings is also crucial to ensure effective and consistent use of AAC tools.

The acquisition of signs and recognition of pictograms by Pablo required prior training for the entire family and adoption of the method by everyone. Then, it was necessary to model to allow Pablo to appropriate the gestures and pictograms. The adoption and use of an AAC method require ongoing investment from the surrounding people (family and educational) to support the user's evolution and adapt to their needs and capabilities.

Personalizing communication methods for each individual

Every individual has unique needs, and personalizing communication methods is essential for the success of AAC. This can include adapting interfaces, selecting the most relevant symbols, and adjusting technical parameters to match personal preferences. Personalization ensures that the AAC system remains relevant and helpful over time.

To meet Pablo's constantly evolving needs, we needed an easy-to-use application available at all times, with or without internet. This is why we created Pictalk in 2020. To enhance communication, Pictalk combines images (pictograms and photos), text (each image is associated with text), and speech (voice synthesis from his phone). To support autonomy, Pictalk allows messages to be sent in the form of pictograms. For more personalized use, Pictalk is a highly customizable application.

Evaluating the effectiveness of an AAC system

Evaluating the effectiveness of an AAC system is an ongoing process.

We continuously evolve the content and architecture of Pictalk to best meet the needs and progressing capabilities of our users, as well as the different contexts in which they are required to use it.

How to use AAC in daily life?

Strategies for teaching AAC

It is important to emphasize the necessary learning and modeling phase before adopting an AAC method. This phase varies based on the user's capabilities but also on the investment of their surroundings. It is essential to leverage the person’s interests to motivate and stimulate learning. Pablo loves to eat, so we introduced the method through this theme.

How can families support the use of AAC?

Family support is crucial for the success of using AAC.

Any language that does not serve communication will eventually be abandoned because the investment is not rewarded by achieving the communication objective. How can one expect the adoption of a method that does not allow communication with the closest surroundings? In cases of intellectual disabilities, learning is doomed to failure due to excessive energy demands. Solely the investment from professionals is insufficient; the method must also be adopted by family or the closest surroundings.

Pictalk booth at the Science Festival in Lyon: AAC, a family story!

Many families are under the illusion of communication because they understand their child. But that is not enough. Their children are required to communicate with people who do not know them as intimately, who do not know their life context and therefore do not understand them or not sufficiently. Far from hindering the emergence of speech, AAC facilitates it. If the goal is to make these individuals autonomous and capable of self-determination, we must provide them with the tools that will allow them to communicate, understand the world around them, and express themselves. It is our duty, and it is their fundamental right as human beings. Our inaction condemns them to dependence and confinement.

Tips for professionals working with AAC

The adoption of an AAC method requires daily and constant use to progress, and consequently, active involvement from families and professionals.

Unfortunately, most existing tools are difficult to implement within specialized care structures, such as IMEs, as they are poorly adapted for use by multiple professionals for multiple users.

Because we are convinced of the importance and necessity of collaborative work, Pictalk facilitates and simplifies the use of AAC by professionals. Thus, for more convenience, a user's content can be modified remotely through online synchronization. For simplicity and efficiency, content can be shared among multiple accounts, with multiple professionals or with families. Finally, for consistency, each user can have their own account and use it outside the educational or professional framework.