AAC Communication Support

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Helping every person communicate, connect and be understood

Communication is a basic human right.

Some people communicate through speech. Others may use gestures, facial expressions, signs, pictures, communication books, devices or apps.

These forms of communication are known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC.

AAC can support children, teenagers and adults who find it difficult to communicate through speech alone. It may be used for a short time or throughout a person’s life.

What is AAC?

AC includes all the ways a person can communicate in addition to, or instead of, speech.

AAC may include:

• gestures and facial expressions
• Key Word Sign
• pictures and symbols
• communication boards
• communication books
• written words
• tablet-based communication apps
• dedicated speech-generating devices

AAC does not stop a person from developing speech. It gives them another way to communicate while supporting connection, participation and independence.

Who may benefit from AAC?

AAC may help a person who:

• has difficulty expressing their needs, choices or ideas
• uses only a small number of spoken words
• is difficult for others to understand
• relies on gestures, behaviour or familiar adults to communicate
• becomes frustrated when they cannot get their message across
• needs support to take part in learning, relationships or daily activities
• has a condition that affects speech now or may affect it in the future

A person does not need to show certain skills before they can explore AAC. Assessment helps us understand what communication support may work best for them.

Communication is more than requesting

AAC should help a person communicate for many different reasons.

This may include:

• asking for something
• saying no or stopping an activity
• making choices
• sharing an opinion
• asking questions
• telling a story
• expressing feelings
• making jokes
• joining a conversation
• building relationships
• speaking up for themselves

Our aim is not simply to teach someone to press buttons. We support meaningful communication in real situations.

How Innerlink Therapy Can Help

Our speech pathologists provide individualised AAC support for children, teenagers and adults.

We consider the whole person, including their:

• communication strengths
• understanding and use of language
• interests and preferred activities
• movement and physical access
• vision and hearing
• sensory preferences
• daily routines
• communication partners
• home, school, work and community environments

There is no single AAC system that suits everyone. The right system should match the person’s communication needs, abilities, preferences and daily life.

Our AAC Assessment and Trial Process

1. Understanding the person

We begin by speaking with the person, their family and other important communication partners.

We may explore:

• how the person currently communicates
• what they understand
• what they are trying to express
• communication challenges
• preferred activities and interests
• communication across different settings
• family priorities and future goals

2. Assessing communication needs

Assessment may include observation, interviews, informal activities and selected assessment tools.

We look at more than speech. We consider the person’s communication forms, reasons for communicating, language, play, participation and relationships.

3. Matching the features

We identify the features an AAC system may need, such as:

• symbol or word layout
• screen and button size
• number of words available
• touch access
• alternative access
• methods voice
• options
• portability
• visual supports
• vocabulary for everyday life

This process is called feature matching. It helps us compare AAC options based on the person rather than choosing a device first.

4. Trialling AAC options

Where appropriate, the person may trial one or more AAC systems.

Trials help us understand:

• how easily the person can access the system
• whether the vocabulary supports their communication
• how the system works across daily routines
• what training or changes may be needed
• what the person and family prefer

5. Setting meaningful goals

Goals are developed with the person and their support network.

Goals may focus on:

• expressing needs and choices
• joining activities
• having conversations
• communicating with less support
• building language
• increasing independence
• using AAC across different settings

Progress is reviewed over time and goals are updated as communication develops.

Supporting Families and Communication Partners

An AAC system is most useful when the people around the AAC user know how to support it.

We may provide training and coaching for:

• parents and carers
• siblings teachers and educators
• support workers
• employers
• community staff
• other health professionals

Training may include how to:

• model words on the AAC system
• notice and respond to communication attempts
• provide enough time to respond
• keep the system available
• support communication without pressure
• use AAC during everyday activities
• build communication beyond requesting

People learn communication through repeated experiences with supportive partners. We focus on connection, not perfection.

What is AAC modelling?

AAC modelling means using the person’s communication system while you speak.

For example, while saying, “We are going outside,” you might select GO and OUTSIDE on the AAC system.

The person does not need to copy you.

Modelling shows how AAC can be used naturally. It is similar to learning another language. A person needs to see their communication system being used before they can be expected to use it confidently.

AAC in Everyday Life

AAC support should fit into the person’s real life.

We may help families and teams use AAC during:

• meals
• play
• getting dressed
• school activities
• shopping
• community outings
• work
• appointments
• social activities
• conversations about past and future events

We can provide services:

• at our clinic
• through telehealth
• at home in schools and early learning settings
• within community environments, where suitable

NDIS Assistive Technology Support

AAC may be funded through different parts of an NDIS plan, depending on the type and cost of the system.

The process may involve:

• checking available assistive technology funding
• completing an AAC assessment and trial
• speaking with the Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator
• preparing an assistive technology report or letter of support
• supporting a replacement support request
• providing evidence for a plan variation where required

Funding decisions are made by the NDIA. Innerlink Therapy cannot guarantee that funding will be approved, but we can provide clinical evidence and practical recommendations based on the assessment and trial.

Our Approach

At Innerlink Therapy, AAC support is:

• Person-centred: We listen to the person and respect how they communicate.
• Strengths-based: We build on existing skills, interests and relationships.
• Neuroaffirming: We support communication differences without trying to make a person appear less neurodivergent.
• Practical: We focus on communication that matters in everyday life.
• Collaborative: We work with families, educators, support workers and other professionals.
• Future-focused: We consider current needs while planning for future communication, participation and independence

At Innerlink Therapy, AAC support is:

• Person-centred: We listen to the person and respect how they communicate.
• Strengths-based: We build on existing skills, interests and relationships.
• Neuroaffirming: We support communication differences without trying to make a person appear less neurodivergent.
• Practical: We focus on communication that matters in everyday life.
• Collaborative: We work with families, educators, support workers and other professionals.
• Future-focused: We consider current needs while planning for future communication, participation and independence.

Why Choose Innerlink Therapy?

Innerlink Therapy has provided speech pathology and occupational therapy services since 2011.

Our AAC services are supported by:

• experienced speech pathologists
• multidisciplinary input where needed
• structured assessment and trial processes
• communication partner training
• support across children and adults
• practical NDIS assistive technology knowledge
• clinic, community and telehealth service options
• ongoing professional development in AAC systems and access methods

Our focus is not only on choosing a communication system. We help the person and their communication partners use AAC in ways that support identity, relationships, choice and everyday participation.

Frequently Asked Questions