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According to The Center for AAC and Autism’s website, one out of every 110 children will be diagnosed with autism this year, and of them, up to 60% will be unable to communicate verbally (AAC and Autism, 2009). This paper will focus on Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication for children with disabilities by offering a few suggestions for options for children who need assistance with communication.
Assistive Technology
A great definition of Assistive Technology is that it is “technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible” (AccessIt, 2012). It can include mobility devices as well as hardware and software. Children that cannot verbally communicate need help to do so. Assistive technology can help these children have a voice. The technology necessary to allow them to communicate can be found in high-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
The American Speech and Language-Hearing Association states that AAC includes all forms of communication, other than oral speech, that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants and ideas. Everyone uses AAC when they use body language, facial expressions, and gestures, or with pictures, symbols or when writing. It includes symbols, aids, strategies, and techniques to improve communication (ASHA, 1997). AAC tools are to augment incoherent speech and to provide an alternative when speech and language development is incomprehensible. As a part of normal development, children learn to communicate. When a child cannot verbally communicate, it can cause frustration, and can lead to behavior issues (AAC and Autism, 2009). AAC provides children with disabilities with the means to communicate and therefore, express themselves. It supplements existing speech or sometimes is the only means of speech. The tools used to for AAC are assistive technology tools. These tools increase social emotional development and language development in children and include anything that assists communication, such as American Sign Language (ASL), a picture exchange communication system (PECS), and low and high technology speech output devices, including Apple’s IPad (ASHA, 1997).