What is AAC? Augmentative and alternative communication

Does your child not talk yet, or say only a few words? Then you probably spend a lot of time guessing — why they're crying, what they want, what they're trying to tell you. It wears you both out. AAC gives your child a way to "say" things right now, without waiting for the words to come.

AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. Put simply, it's anything that helps someone communicate when speech isn't enough: gestures, picture cards, communication boards, an app on a tablet. AAC doesn't take anything away from your child — they just get one more way to be understood, one that can be adapted to their needs.

• Augmentative means it adds to, rather than replaces, the ways your child already communicates: words, sounds, gestures.
• Alternative means it uses ways of communicating other than speech, such as pictures, signs or an app.

Who is AAC for?

Anyone who finds it hard to get through the day with spoken words: children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or other conditions, or with delayed or severe speech difficulties. And not only children who don't speak at all — also a child whose words "disappear" when they're anxious, and a child whom only Mum can understand.

The series: parts 2–8

Read them in order — each part answers one question and takes a few minutes.

2. Will AAC stop my child from talking?

The fear parents have most often. What research shows, and what to say to relatives who tell you "just wait, he'll talk". Read more →

3. Signs, cards, tablets: the kinds of AAC

AAC with and without objects, paper and digital tools, what PECS and Makaton are — and how to choose where to start. Read more →

4. How a child picks a picture: touch, switch, eye gaze

Not every child can point accurately with a finger. The other ways to choose, and when to ask a specialist what suits your child. Read more →

EYA does not offer Eye-gaze selection.

5. A first communication board in one evening

What you'll need, how many pictures to use, how to lay them out and where to keep the board. Read more →

6. 10 words to start with

"More", "stop", "not", "want" and other words that fit almost anything — and why each one needs a fixed place. Read more →

7. Show it yourself: how to model AAC

Talk as usual and touch the picture. Four simple steps, three everyday scenes and the mistakes to avoid. Read more →

8. More than asking: saying no, commenting, asking questions

Communication is more than requests. How to give your child words to refuse, share, ask and say how they feel. Read more →

Where to get help in Ukraine

You can turn for help and support to:

• a speech therapist who works with AAC;
• your local inclusive resource centre (ІРЦ);
• an early intervention service — for the youngest children;
• rehabilitation centres and assistive technology centres.

Questions parents ask

Do I need an expensive device to start?

No. You can start with a printed board or a low-cost or free app. If a dedicated device turns out to be needed, it's best to choose it together with a specialist.

Can we mix gestures, cards and a tablet?

Yes. Many families mix them, depending on the situation — for example, gestures while playing, a laminated board in the bath or at the playground, the app at therapy and at home.