Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) therapy is provided by our Speech-Language Pathologists. Our therapists evaluate, treat, and train other professionals on a large array of AAC devices. AAC interventions can include low tech systems (i.e., sign language, communication boards) and high-tech systems (i.e., speech generating devices). Our therapists have the knowledge and expertise to make the most appropriate AAC recommendation for your child. AAC therapy is appropriate for any individual who has difficulty expressing their wants and needs verbally. Additionally, our therapists work closely with families to ensure their child’s communication skills can be generalized across all settings in their everyday life.
Communication can look different from child to child, which is why individualized support matters so much. At BY YOUR SIDE, we see many benefits of AAC for nonverbal autism which often include improved participation, reduced frustration, stronger social interaction, and more reliable ways to express wants, needs, and emotions.
AAC for autism refers to a range of tools and communication strategies used to support or replace spoken language for individuals who have difficulty communicating verbally. It includes both aided AAC systems – such as speech generating devices and picture exchange systems (PECS-style approaches) – and unaided communication methods like gestures, facial expressions, and sign language. These supports are designed to help individuals communicate wants, needs, thoughts, emotions, and social responses more effectively throughout daily life.
Many families associate AAC for nonverbal children with autism, but AAC can also support individuals with minimally verbal autism or children whose speech is inconsistent, difficult to understand, or unreliable during certain situations. Some children may use spoken words alongside an AAC device, while others may rely more heavily on visual communication systems throughout the day.
One common misconception is that AAC therapy for autism replaces or prevents spoken language development. In reality, research and clinical experience show that AAC intervention can support language growth by helping children connect words, symbols, and communication with meaningful interactions. For some children, using AAC helps reduce frustration and creates more opportunities for successful communication with parents, siblings, teachers, and peers.
At our center, we begin with a thorough AAC evaluation process to better understand each child’s strengths, learning style, motor abilities, and communication needs. Our therapists look at how a child accesses communication, responds to visual information, and participates in interaction before recommending a specific AAC system. Our goal is to help children build functional communication skills they can use during everyday routines, social interactions, learning activities, and family life.
We also recognize that communication is deeply personal. Some children may feel more comfortable starting with visual supports, while others quickly engage with technology-based systems. Our team works closely with families to identify tools that feel practical, supportive, and realistic for daily use both inside and outside therapy sessions.
AAC communication devices can range from simple visual supports to advanced technology systems depending on the child’s individual needs. Low-tech systems often include picture exchange approaches, visual schedules, sign language, and a communication board or book that allows children to point to symbols or images during interaction. These systems are often portable, flexible, and useful across multiple settings.
High-tech options may include tablet-based applications or adaptive systems designed for children with additional motor challenges. There are also speech-generating devices (SGDs), which are designed to produce spoken output when a child selects symbols, words, or icons on the screen. Some children may benefit from eye-tracking systems or customized access methods when pointing or direct touch is difficult.
Choosing an AAC system depends on several important factors. Therapists evaluate fine motor abilities, visual scanning skills, language level, sensory needs, attention, and learning preferences before making recommendations. An AAC therapy assessment also considers how the child communicates across different environments and what tools may support the most successful interactions.
Some children use multiple communication systems throughout the day depending on the environment. A child may use sign language during play, visual supports during routines, and an AAC device during structured communication tasks. As skills grow and communication changes, systems can also evolve to support increasing independence and language development.
Families often ask us how to get an AAC device for autism and where to begin. Our therapists are here to help guide parents through the evaluation, recommendation, trial, and implementation process while coordinating with caregivers and other providers when needed. We also help families understand how assistive technology can fit naturally into their child’s everyday routines.
It is important to remember that there is no single “best” system for every child. Some children respond well to highly visual systems, while others need simplified layouts or more advanced vocabulary options. As communication skills expand, the child’s tools may change too. A system that works well today may later be adjusted to support more complex conversations, school participation, and greater independence.
AAC therapy services focus on much more than helping a child request an item. While requesting is often an important starting point, therapy also supports social interaction, emotional expression, participation, and engagement across daily environments.
Using AAC for daily communication may help children express their preferences, answer questions, participate in conversations, and engage more actively with the people around them. Therapy sessions often target turn-taking, joint attention, social engagement, and conversational interaction in ways that feel meaningful and functional for the child.
Many children experience frustration when they cannot communicate effectively. Improving communication with AAC can help reduce some frustration-driven behaviors by giving children more reliable ways to express themselves. This allows caregivers, teachers, and peers to better understand what the child is trying to communicate throughout the day.
AAC services for autism also support receptive and expressive language growth. Children learn to connect symbols, words, actions, and routines through repeated interaction and guided practice. These skills are often practiced across home routines, therapy sessions, school activities, and community settings so children can use communication tools more naturally throughout their environment.
Therapists may also focus on helping children initiate conversations, ask for help, comment during activities, or participate in classroom routines. These small communication moments often create meaningful progress because they help children become more active participants in their environments rather than relying only on others to anticipate their needs.
Progress with AAC therapy is highly individualized. Some children begin using simple requests quickly, while others need more time to build familiarity with their system and communication patterns. The focus remains on meaningful communication gains that support participation, interaction, and independence in everyday life.
Families are often encouraged to celebrate small milestones throughout the process. A child independently asking for a favorite snack, greeting a sibling, or expressing discomfort can represent major communication progress. These moments often create stronger engagement at home and increased confidence during social interaction.
Family involvement is one of the most important parts of successful AAC therapy services. Communication development does not happen only during structured therapy sessions. Children generally make the most progress when AAC tools are used naturally throughout daily routines and interactions.
Our therapists work closely with caregivers to model AAC use during mealtimes, play activities, transitions, community outings, and everyday conversations. Parents learn how to encourage communication attempts, reinforce interaction, and create opportunities for communication without placing too much pressure on the child.
Consistency across settings also plays a major role in successful AAC use. Children benefit when therapists, caregivers, educators, and support teams use similar strategies and expectations across environments. This helps children feel more comfortable using their communication systems throughout the day.
Some families initially feel nervous about technology or worry their child may become dependent on a device. Our therapists help families feel comfortable with the tools being used while emphasizing that AAC supports communication access, not limitation.
Daily practice often happens through small interactions woven naturally into routines. A child may use their system to request breakfast items, participate during story time, answer simple questions, or make choices throughout the day. These repeated opportunities help communication become more functional and meaningful instead of something practiced only during therapy.
It’s important to keep in mind that successful AAC intervention depends on regular, meaningful use across real-life situations. The goal is helping children communicate more effectively during the moments that matter most, whether they are asking for help, participating in play, expressing feelings, or interacting with family members and peers.
