AAC for Nonverbal Autism: How it supports communication

 One of the deficits of autism  is difficulty in communication.

40% of children on the spectrum are non-verbal, even though they have average or above average intelligence.

All children and adults who are non-verbal, which means unable to communicate verbally can use AAC as alternate method of communication. Even if your child is verbal, but you and others around them have difficulty in understanding them or they cannot communicate verbally effectively  they can use AAC to communicate.

What is AAC? AAC stands for alternative and augmentative communication.

Our son started using AAC almost a decade ago. This has effectively helped him communicate thereby reducing his anxiety and frustration.

I will be sharing some tips and strategies. you  can use to help your child use AAC at at home.

The first thing we need to remember it’s a new language for your child so we can’t just give our child their device and expect them to instinctively know how to use it. We have to teach them. AAC just like we teach them any other skill. We will be there communication partner in order to teach them to communicate.

The strategy by which we can teach our child to communicate using their AAC is called Aided language input. In this strategy you need to model using the device for your child we need to communicate with them in their own language which is AAC. In the beginning, we need to start modelling the device without expecting the child to use it .Slowly with  time your child will start, exploring the device.

In the beginning, you will see your child pressing random buttons on the device. This is the child’s way to explore their device to understand where different words are on their device. We can compare this to the babbling phase  in a typically developing toddler, do not take away their device instead respond to their communication attempts in  a meaningful way..

The most important thing is it is your child’s voice never ever take it away from them. Take the device everywhere with your child. Use it in daily routines, during meal  times, teach them commenting , greetings, protesting , asking, and answering questions, answering, yes, and no questions. This will help your child to self advocate for themselves.

Be consistent while using the device, we can point to the words as we speak verbally. There is no need to point to every single word use words in different contexts . Always have a low tech back up of your child’s device In case the device has any technical issues or is not charged. Your child is still has a way to communicate..

As a parent it is important to learn every thing about a child’s device so we can make any changes or add a word . Make sure the device is charged every day and also update it regularly..

Do not change the position of words on your child’s device as as the children need to learn a motor plan in order to navigate the device. Give it time to your child as children on the spectrum need  extra processing time. Don’t jump in right away to help them..

If possible have a separate device for communication. Use guided access on the device. So the child doesn’t go on YouTube and other apps to an to play games . This way, the child will know the device is their voice and it can only be used for communication.

There are no prerequisites for AAC. The child will make mistakes in the beginning. It’s okay show them how to correct it if you need find a word, show your child how you can find it.

AAC can be dedicated devices or communication apps on the iPad. A speech language pathologist can do an assessment to see which device is the right one for your child.

I hope you will find these tips helpful to help your child communicate with their AAC.