Individuals with communication disorders who are unable to meet all of their needs through speech or writing may use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and methods. These individuals can have congenital conditions like cerebral palsy or autism, or acquired conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury. Millions of people worldwide have severe communication impairments that could benefit from AAC approaches.

1. SPA 5559 – AAC Intro AAC Users AAC Components

2. Who Uses AAC? Individuals with spoken or written communication disorders who are temporarily or permanently unable to meet all of their communication needs. Not necessarily related to hearing impairment. May be able to produce some speech but cannot use speech to meet all of their communication needs.

3. Who Uses AAC? Congenital conditions mental retardation cerebral palsy autism developmental apraxia of speech specific language impairment

4. Who Uses AAC? Acquired conditions physical conditions amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) multiple sclerosis (MS) spinal cord injury people in intensive care/acute care cognitive and linguistic impairments traumatic brain injury (TBI) stroke dementia

5. How Many People Have Severe Communication Impairments USA 2 million (8 per 1000) Canada 200,000 (12 per 1000) Australia 12 per 1000 United Kingdom 6 per 1000 14 per 1000

6. Components Aided/Unaided Components Symbols Display Output Selection Technique Strategy