Augmentative and alternative communication uses tools, devices, and non-verbal methods to help people communicate more effectively.
Written by: William Huynh, MPSA-CPSP, Senior Speech Pathologist
Published: 24 May 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended as general guidance only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your child’s development or behaviour, speaking with a qualified healthcare professional is recommended.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers to different ways of communicating that support or replace spoken language. AAC can include gestures, facial expressions, picture boards, communication books, sign systems, and AAC devices that generate speech or display words and symbols.
AAC is used by children and adults with communication difficulties caused by developmental conditions, disability, injury, neurological conditions, or speech disorders. A speech pathologist can help identify which AAC approaches best suit a person’s communication needs, daily routines, and level of independence, while also supporting families and carers in learning how to use them confidently.
Clinician’s Notes: Many people, especially parents, express concern over the potential for AAC to hinder natural speech development. In the clinic, we’ve consistently observed that this is far from true. In many cases, AAC can actually support spoken language by reducing frustration, encouraging interaction, and helping individuals build communication skills more confidently.
Augmentative and alternative communication is generally grouped into two categories: unaided AAC and aided AAC. Both are designed to support communication, but the main difference is whether external tools or equipment are used.
Unaided AAC relies on the person using their own body to communicate. This can include gestures, facial expressions, body language, and sign systems such as Key Word Sign. Because no equipment is needed, unaided AAC can often be used quickly and naturally in everyday situations.
Aided AAC uses external tools or AAC devices to support communication. These may include picture boards, communication books, visual supports, speech-generating devices, or tablet-based AAC apps. Some systems are simple and low-tech, while others are more advanced and personalised to the individual’s communication needs.
AAC can support people of different ages who have difficulty communicating through speech alone, whether those challenges are temporary, progressive, or lifelong. The right communication system depends on the person’s individual strengths, needs, and daily environments.
People who may benefit from AAC include:
AAC is not only for people who are completely non-speaking. Many individuals use AAC alongside verbal speech to help express themselves more clearly, reduce frustration, and participate more confidently in everyday interactions.
Clinician’s Notes: Many parents ask if children need to “qualify” for an AAC device. The answer to this question is no. This is because speech pathologists practise the Presumption of Competence. We do not require “prerequisite” skills for the use of AAC, believing that every individual has the right to a robust communication system.
AAC devices can range from simple visual tools to advanced technology that generates speech. The most suitable option depends on the person’s communication goals, physical abilities, learning style, and daily environment. Some people may use more than one type of AAC system depending on the situation.
These low-tech AAC devices use photos, symbols, words, or letters that a person can point to in order to communicate. They are often used to support choice-making, routines, basic conversations, and everyday needs.
Speech-generating devices produce spoken words or phrases when buttons, symbols, or text are selected. Some are dedicated AAC devices designed specifically for communication, while others use tablet-based AAC apps.
Many people use AAC apps installed on tablets or mobile devices. These systems can be customised with symbols, vocabulary, and voice options to match the individual’s communication style and daily activities.
Text-based AAC systems allow users to type words or sentences that are then spoken aloud by the device. These systems may suit individuals who can read and spell but experience difficulty speaking verbally.
Some AAC devices are designed for individuals with limited physical movement and can be accessed through eye gaze, switches, head tracking, or other alternative access methods. These systems can help people communicate more independently when direct touch is difficult.
Clinician’s Notes: Choosing an AAC system isn’t just about picking a device; it’s about balancing two critical areas of communication: operational and linguistic competence. This means looking at how easily a person can physically use the system, as well as whether it supports meaningful communication through appropriate vocabulary and language options.
Finding the right AAC approach can feel overwhelming at first, especially with so many tools, systems, and devices available. Speech language pathologists help individuals and families understand their options, identify communication goals, and build practical strategies that support communication in everyday life.
Communication is rarely limited to just one method. Speech pathologists help identify AAC systems that work alongside existing communication strengths, which may include speech, gestures, facial expressions, signs, writing, or AAC devices. This multimodal approach supports more flexible and meaningful communication across different environments and situations.
AAC therapy focuses on helping individuals learn how to use communication systems confidently and effectively in real-life settings. Speech therapy may involve building vocabulary, improving navigation and access skills, supporting social interaction, and helping communication partners understand how to respond and engage.
Speech pathologists can also assist individuals and families navigating NDIS funding for AAC assessments, therapy, and AAC devices. This may include completing assessments, providing supporting reports and evidence, trialling devices, and recommending systems that align with the person’s communication needs and goals.
AAC support is not about finding a one-size-fits-all solution. A speech therapist can help guide the process, answer questions, and work alongside individuals, families, carers, and support teams to build communication systems that feel practical, empowering, and sustainable over time.
William Huynh is a senior speech pathologist and the director of NDIS-registered provider Brighter Futures Allied Health. He has over a decade of experience working with children and adults with complex communication needs, including disability, dysphagia, and acquired language impairments. William has completed specialist training in approaches such as Key Word Sign, LAMP Words for Life, Grid 3, and Hanen’s More Than Words. He also supervises speech pathologists and student placements, supporting evidence-based and family-centred practice.
