Supporting Communication Through AAC: Why It Matters and How to Personalize It

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is often misunderstood as something used only when someone “cannot talk.” In reality, AAC is a tool used to support communication, connection, and language development for many different people—and most of us use forms of AAC every day without even realizing it!

Think about texting, sending voice memos, selecting emojis, or sharing GIFs and memes. All of these are forms of communication beyond spoken speech. AAC exists to support language and social connection. It can help someone share information, express needs, ask questions, participate in conversations, self-advocate, and connect socially. For individuals who have difficulty using spoken language consistently, or whose speech may not always reflect what they intend to say, AAC provides a meaningful pathway to communication.

AAC and Gestalt Language Processors

For many gestalt language processors (GLPs), language develops through scripts—phrases or chunks of language taken from movies, songs, conversations, or experiences. When a GLP uses AAC, we should support the way they naturally communicate. This means including those scripts directly in their AAC system.

These “Fast Talk” or scripted buttons can serve many important functions, such as:

• Self-advocacy:

  • “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  • “Please help me.”

  • “It’s too loud.”

• Repairing communication breakdowns:

  • “Give me a minute.”

  • “Can you repeat that?”

  • “I can’t hear you.”

• Gaining attention:

  • “Excuse me!”

  • “I have something to say.”

It can also be helpful to include quick-access buttons that explain the user’s communication needs, or provide personal information like their age, birthday, or address.

Personal and Meaningful Scripts Matter

Scripts and familiar phrases can carry deep emotional meaning. For example, a child might use:

• “There it is!” from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

• “Get out of my head!” from X-Men

These phrases are not “just quotes”—they are communication. They help the person express how they feel or react in a situation.

Adding personal audio clips, images from the show/movie, or recordings of the user’s own voice can make the AAC device feel more natural and intuitive. When language feels familiar, communication becomes easier and more meaningful.

When Speech and Meaning Don’t Match

Some AAC users describe that what comes out of their mouth does not always match what they intended to say. For example, they may say:

“Houston, we have a problem,” when what they truly mean is: “I need help.”

AAC gives their thoughts a clear path to understanding, reducing frustration and preventing communication breakdowns.

Modeling Language Without Expectation

It’s important to remember that GLPs often develop grammar later in their language journey.

So you might hear:

• “Go bus out.”

• “Play basketball go.”

And that’s okay! You can support language growth by modeling without correcting:

• Child: “Play basketball go.”

• Adult modeling: “Yes! Let’s go play basketball!”

Use the AAC yourself to model language the same way you naturally model spoken language.

Narrate what you’re doing: “I cut apple.”

Share opinions and feelings. Model questions. Model advocacy statements.

And if the AAC user disagrees, they’ll show you—often by deleting or selecting a different button. That’s communication, too.

Key Takeaway

Providing AAC is not about replacing speech. It is about expanding communication. By keeping the device available at all times, respecting the user’s language style, and modeling without expectation, we empower AAC users—especially GLPs—to communicate authentically, independently, and confidently.

Every person deserves a voice. AAC helps make that possible.

Author: Amber Drew, C-SLPA