Examples of Skill-Building in Positive Supports

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (slides)

These slides introduce a particular area of communication that is used to support people who need more intensive strategies to promote effective communication. This area is called Augmentative and Alternative Communication or AAC for short.

The Definition of AAC

• AAC: refers to the systems and devices used to help support someone with limited verbal speech or who are nonverbal communicate with others
• Augmentative: Adding to someone’s speech using systems and devices
• Alternative: Strategies and devices that replace verbal speech

Recorded Presentation of Augmentative and Alternative Skill-Building Activity

This section includes a video of Dr. Adele Dimian who demonstrates how these slide were used in a recent presentation.

Examples of AAC Strategies

• High technological devices like Ipads and computers with text to speech programs
• Low level technology strategies including picture symbols, drawing tools, communication boards
• Schedule systems that include objects, visual pictures, words, or a combination of these strategies
• Sign language, gestures, body language, nonverbal vocalizations (no devices at all)