Martin Pistorius and Alecia Samuels
30 March 2006
What Is Augmentative And
Alternative Communication?
The use of less frequently used
means or modes of communication
to facilitate the functioning of
people with little or no functional
speech in society
Who Can Benefit From AAC?
Persons with little or no speech e.g.
severe mental or physical disabilities
multiple disabilities
Who Can Benefit From AAC?
Persons with little or no speech e.g.
severe mental or physical disabilities
congenital disorders e.g. CP, Syndromes
acquired disorders e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease
and motor neuron disease.
Who Can Benefit From AAC?
Persons with little or no speech e.g.
severe mental or physical disabilities
multiple disabilities
congenital disorders e.g. CP, Syndromes
acquired disorders e.g. stroke, Parkinson's disease
and motor neuron disease.
Why AAC?
Communication is a human right
THAT a person communicates is more
important than HOW he communicates
AAC provides a person with a means to
communicate and can also facilitate speech
development
AAC can facilitate entrance in to literacy
AAC facilitates interactions and greater
independence
AAC provides access to different
communication contexts and partners
AAC Classification
AAC Systems
Unaided
Aided
Unaided Systems
Unaided Systems
Speech
Vocalizations
Natural Signs
Gestural Systems Facial Expressions
Sign Language
Key word signing
AIDED SYSTEMS
Symbols used on aided systems are
perceptually graded :
 Real objects
Least Difficult
 Miniatures
 Parts of objects / associated objects
 Photographs
 Pictures
 Line drawings
 Traditional Orthography
Most Difficult
Technology
Aided Systems
Real objects, Photos, PCS, Print
Low Technology
Communication boards
Alphabet boards
Bracelets & Necklaces
Remnants books
Light Technology
Dial scan
High Technology
Digitized VOCA’s
Chatbox
Macaw
Dynamo
Synthesized VOCA’s
Vantage
Pathfinder
Non Dedicated Devices
Accessing AAC systems
Direct selection
Alternative - Direct selection
CAAC ACTIVITIES
Our mission
We impact on the lives of individuals
and families by multi-professional
training and research in:
-AAC and severe disabilities
-Early childhood intervention
-Technologies for communication
- Policy implementation
Core Focus Areas
Assistive
Technology
Research
Multiprofessional
team
Consultations
Formal
Training
Informal
Training
Contact us!!! 
www.caac.up.ac.za
Phone: 012 420-2001
Fax: 012 420-4389
“Crushing the
personalities of
speechless individuals is
very easy: just make it
impossible for them to
communicate freely”
Crossley & McDonald, 1984, p.142