When a child is born with a congenital or genetic disorder, the ability to use verbal communication may be impacted. This is when AAC—augmentative and alternative communication—is a viable option to grow communication neural connections. We are wired to communicate. When non-verbal children are not given the opportunity to build those language connections simply due to lack of knowledge about the wonders of AAC, we as professionals do those children a disservice. Even when an AAC device is provided often times, it gets packed in their book bag as they board the bus and it returns in the exact manner it was placed in the bag the day before.
As professionals, a key focus of our early intervention services is on promoting parental competence in fostering children’s learning and development. Additionally, the combination of motor impairment and communication difficulties that often co-occur in children with complex communication needs can present significant additional challenges for parents acquisition of effective skills (Darrow, Autism Intervention Day by Day, 2001). These significant challenges is when parents look to professional for the answers. But we must not simply help them, but empower them with the knowledge and wonders of AAC.
We must promote and support continued use of AAC devices at all times—not only during speech therapy sessions or school hours, but also at home and in the community. Learning to use AAC requires significant time and effort on the part of both the child and parent/caregiver. Despite this investment, there are many potential benefits associated with using AAC including:
- improved functional ability to communicate wants/needs
- increased sense of self-esteem and self-identity
- reduced destructive or disruptive behaviors often associated with frustration due to lack of effective means of communication
- enhanced opportunities to interact socially with family members, friends, and peers
- greater range/variety of vocabulary items that can be conveyed
Learning to use AAC requires significant time and effort on the part of both the child and parent/caregiver. Despite this investment, there are many potential benefits associated with using AAC including improved functional ability to communicate wants/needs, increased sense of self-esteem and self-identity, reduced destructive or disruptive behaviors often associated with frustration due to lack of effective means of communication, enhanced opportunities to interact socially with family members, friends, peers, and greater range/variety of vocabulary items that can be conveyed.
Speech Language Pathologist
AAC & Autism Expert
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