AAC Basics for Parents | Free Autism Resource

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is any method a person uses to communicate beyond natural speech. If your child is non-verbal, minimally verbal, or has difficulty being understood, AAC can give them a reliable way to express their wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings, sometimes for the first time in their life. AAC is not a last resort. It is a communication right.

This guide will walk you through the different types of AAC, popular tools and apps, common myths, and how you can actively support AAC use at home starting today.

Types of AAC

AAC exists on a spectrum from no technology at all to sophisticated speech-generating devices. Most children use a combination of methods depending on the situation.

No-Tech AAC

No-tech AAC requires no devices or materials. It is always available and never needs charging.

Gestures and body language: pointing, nodding, reaching, or leading someone by the hand to show wants
Facial expressions: intentional use of expression to communicate (yes/no, like/dislike)
Sign language: formal sign systems (ASL, Makaton) or simplified "key word signing" where only the most important words are signed alongside speech
Eye gaze: using directed looking to indicate choices or respond to yes/no questions

No-tech methods should always be encouraged alongside other AAC. Your child's natural gestures and signs are valid communication.

Low-Tech AAC

Low-tech AAC uses physical materials that do not require power. These are durable, portable, and easy to customize.

Picture exchange (PECS): a structured system where a child hands you a picture card to request something; developed specifically for autism and widely used in early intervention
Communication boards: a grid of pictures, symbols, or words representing vocabulary your child needs frequently; can be a single laminated page or a full binder organized by category
Choice boards: simplified boards showing 2–4 options to support decision-making
First-Then boards: visual schedules showing the current task and what comes next, which reduce demand resistance and support transitions

Low-tech tools are an excellent starting point for young children and can be made at home using free symbol libraries like SymbolStix or Boardmaker-style printables.

Mid-Tech AAC

Mid-tech devices are battery-powered but simpler than full speech-generating devices. They are ideal for children who are not yet ready for complex navigation.

Single-message switches (like a Big Mac button): record one spoken message that plays when pressed; great for greetings, requesting help, or joining in songs
Step-by-step communicators: record a sequence of messages that play in order with each press; useful for telling a story or completing a routine
GoTalk devices: simple grid devices with pre-recorded messages behind picture overlays; durable, affordable, and widely used in schools

Mid-tech options can bridge the gap while a full evaluation for a high-tech device is in progress.

High-Tech AAC

High-tech AAC refers to speech-generating devices (SGDs): tablets, dedicated devices, or apps that produce synthesized or recorded speech.

Tablets with AAC apps (iPad, Android): the most flexible and cost-accessible option; apps like Proloquo2Go and TouchChat turn a standard tablet into a robust SGD
Dedicated SGDs (Tobii Dynavox, Saltillo devices): purpose-built devices that are more durable, often covered by insurance/Medicaid, and can include eye-gaze technology for children with motor limitations
Robust vocabulary systems: high-tech AAC at its best provides access to thousands of words organized by motor pattern or category, allowing for true generative language

High-tech AAC requires more training for both the child and the family, but it offers the greatest expressive potential.

Popular AAC Apps

These are among the most widely used and clinically supported AAC apps available. An SLP familiar with AAC can help you determine which fits your child's motor abilities, cognitive profile, and communication goals.

Proloquo2Go (AssistiveWare)

One of the most established AAC apps, available for iPad. Uses SymbolStix or Widgit symbols and offers multiple grid sizes and vocabulary levels. It has a large professional community and extensive training resources. Subscription required.

TouchChat HD (Saltillo)

A widely used grid-based communication app available for iOS and Android. Supports multiple vocabulary files including WordPower, Unity, and LAMP Words for Life. Known for its flexibility and school-friendliness.

LAMP Words for Life (Saltillo)

Based on the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) methodology. Designed so that each word always lives in the same location, building muscle memory over time. Particularly effective for children who benefit from consistent motor patterns. Available on iOS and Android.

Snap + Core First (Tobii Dynavox)

A symbol-based AAC app with a visual scene and grid-based interface. Available on iPad and Windows. Tobii Dynavox also makes dedicated hardware devices. Offers robust data-tracking features for therapists.

CoughDrop

A cloud-based AAC app that works on virtually any device (iPad, Android, Chromebook, Windows). Vocabulary boards sync across devices, making it easy for multiple family members and therapists to access the same setup. Has a strong open-source board community.

Cboard (Free/Open Source)

A free, browser-based AAC tool that works on any internet-connected device. Ideal for families who cannot afford a subscription while waiting for insurance approval of a dedicated device. Uses ARASAAC symbols.

5 Common AAC Myths Debunked

Myth 1: "AAC will prevent my child from learning to talk."

Reality: Research consistently shows the opposite. AAC supports, not replaces, speech development. When children have a reliable way to communicate, the pressure to produce speech decreases, and for many children, verbal speech actually increases. AAC does not compete with speech; it supports language development as a whole.

Myth 2: "My child isn't ready for AAC yet. They need to be at a certain cognitive level first."

Reality: There is no cognitive prerequisite for AAC. Communication is a basic human need, and no child is "too young" or "not ready." AAC can be introduced to toddlers and even infants who are at risk for communication delays. Waiting to start AAC can mean months or years of frustration for your child.

Myth 3: "If my child has some words, they don't need AAC."

Reality: A child who can say 20 words under ideal conditions but cannot reliably communicate their needs, pains, or preferences is still communication-impaired. AAC is not only for fully non-verbal children. Many children who use AAC also have some functional speech, and the two work together.

Myth 4: "AAC is too complicated for my child to learn."

Reality: AAC systems are designed to grow with the child. Starting points can be as simple as two picture choices. The key is consistent modeling from caregivers and therapists; the child does not need to fully understand the system before being exposed to it.

Myth 5: "The school or therapist will handle it. I don't need to use it at home."

Reality: AAC only works when it is used consistently across all environments. If AAC is only present at school or therapy, the child has no reason to use it at home, and generalization will be severely limited. Parents are the most important communication partners their child has.

How to Model AAC at Home

Modeling, sometimes called "aided language input" or "aided language stimulation," is the single most important thing a parent can do to support AAC. It means using your child's AAC system yourself while you talk to them, so they can watch and learn how communication works.

Think of it like learning a language. Children learn to speak by hearing speech. AAC users learn to communicate with their device by seeing others use it.

Step 1: Learn the system before expecting your child to use it

Before you can model, you need to know where things are. Spend time exploring the app or board. Can you find "more," "help," "stop," "I want," "eat," "play"? The faster you can navigate, the more natural your modeling will feel.

Step 2: Model during natural routines, not as a lesson

Modeling works best when it is woven into everyday life, not set up as a formal teaching session. During snack: touch "eat" + "apple" before giving the apple. During play: touch "more" every time you hand them a toy. During a bath: touch "water" + "warm" while filling the tub.

Step 3: Use the device alongside your own speech

You do not stop talking. You talk normally AND simultaneously touch the words on the device. "Time to eat dinner," touch "eat," "Are you hungry?" touch "hungry." Your voice and the device work together.

Step 4: Follow your child's lead

Model vocabulary around what your child is already interested in right now. If they are fixated on a toy train, model "train," "go," "fast," "more," "crash." Interest drives attention, and attention drives learning.

Step 5: Do not demand or prompt your child to use the device

This is counterintuitive but important. Your job during modeling is to show, not to require. Pressure to perform can make the device feel stressful. Simply model and create opportunities. Your child is watching and learning even when they are not visibly responding.

Step 6: Celebrate any attempt

If your child touches the device at all, even accidentally, respond as if it was intentional communication. "Oh, you want more! Here you go!" over time, accidental presses become intentional ones.

Step 7: Keep the device accessible

The device cannot be used if it is locked in a bag or only available during therapy. AAC is most effective when it is physically available at all times, within arm's reach, charged, and ready.

Getting Started

Starting AAC can feel overwhelming, but here is a clear path forward:

Talk to your child's pediatrician about a referral for a Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) evaluation, specifically requesting an augmentative communication evaluation.
Contact your school district (if your child is school-age or 3+). Under IDEA, children may be entitled to an AAC device as part of their IEP if it is required for them to access education.
Contact Early Intervention (if your child is under 3). AAC can be included in an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan).
Ask about a device trial. Many SLPs and AAC vendors (Tobii Dynavox, Saltillo) offer free trial periods so a child can try a system before insurance is pursued.
Start low-tech while you wait. Build a simple choice board with pictures of your child's favorite things. This costs nothing and starts building communication habits immediately.
Connect with other AAC families. The AAC community on social media (especially Facebook groups like "AAC for Kids" and "Apraxia-KIDS") is a rich source of peer support and practical advice.

When to Seek Professional Help

Seek an AAC evaluation from a qualified Speech-Language Pathologist if:

Your child is 18 months or older and not yet using words reliably
Your child has words but cannot effectively communicate wants, needs, or discomfort
Your child's speech is not understood by unfamiliar adults after age 3–4
Your child is showing frustration, aggression, or self-injury that appears linked to communication breakdowns
You have already started a low-tech system but are not seeing progress after 2–3 months of consistent use
A regression in communication skills has occurred

An SLP who specializes in AAC can perform a formal augmentative communication evaluation, make device recommendations, submit insurance documentation, and train your whole family to use the system effectively. You do not have to figure this out alone.