Table of Contents

1. What is AAC?

Assessing for AAC

2. How to introduce the idea of AAC

3. Everyone on board

4. Get to know the person

5. Assess, don’t guess!

6. The foundations for AAC

7. A consistent 'yes' or 'no'

8. Assessing for access method

Supporting the AAC user

9. Input before output

10. Multi-modal communication

11. Modelling AAC to a child

12. Communication partner training

AAC solutions

13. Makaton signs

14. Objects of reference

15. Introducing symbols for choice-making

16. Symbol sets

17. Communication boards

18. Communication books

19. PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)

20. Visual supports

21. Alphabet charts

22. Partner-assisted auditory scanning

23. Eye-pointing and E-Tran frames

24. Single message VOCAs

25. Multiple message VOCAs

26. AAC apps

27. Computer and tablet VOCAs

28. Eye-gaze technology

29. Voice-banking and message-banking

30. Communication passports

Building language skills with AAC

31. Core and fringe vocabulary

32. Personalising the vocabulary

33. Building vocabulary skills

34. Building phrases and sentences

35. Communication functions

36. Conversation club

Literacy, learning and AAC

37. Symbols or text?

38. Assessing literacy

39. Teaching literacy

40. Access to the curriculum

Advocacy and AAC

41. Talking Mats

42. Mental capacity and making decisions

43. Safeguarding and AAC

AAC and access to the world

44. Multi-media and environmental controls

45. AAC competencies

46. Setting objectives

Funding for AAC

47. Specialist AAC assessment

48. Other funding streams

49. A business case for AAC resources

50. Continuing professional development

About the Author

Alison Battye is the author of Who’s Afraid of AAC? (2017). She is also a Specialist SLT in AAC and manager of regional specialised AAC services.