Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Providing a voice to nonverbal communicators is rewarding. Augmentative and Alternative
Communication (AAC) allows users to engage in social interactions, partake in medical
decisions, and be involved in the community. At UTHSC, we provide evaluation and treatment
for individuals of all ages with complex communication needs. In our work with AAC
patients, we place a strong emphasis on literacy to achieve independence in communication.
Special Feature:
Language, Literacy, and AAC: Bridging Practice and Research
(Article from the 2017 ASP Annual Newsletter)
If you walked through the corridors of South Stadium Hall during the summer of 2016,
you would hear children giggling, squeals of joy, and graduate clinicians saying,
“ready, set, go” followed by “let’s check our schedule.” Welcome to the Augmentative
& Alternative Communication (AAC) Summer Language and Literacy Groups, funded by the
Office of Special Education Programming through a federal training grant.
“We wanted the summer AAC groups to meet a clinical need for the grant trainees,
expand language and literacy for children who benefit from AAC, and address an important
area of research,” notes Dr. Jillian McCarthy, co-investigator with Dr. Ilsa Schwarz.
The AAC groups allow grant trainees to implement evidence-based language and literacy intervention
to determine what strategies are most beneficial for this population.
The groups, supervised by clinical Assistant Professor Emily Noss, met once a week
for two hours and included children who used either low-technology supports (pictures),
high-technology supports (voice output), or both.
As one of the trainees, Cathryn Altdoerffer, shared, “The AAC grant allowed me to
gain advanced knowledge in a variety of devices and taught me how to use those devices
to target both functional communication and literacy. This experience pushed me outside
my comfort zone and provided me with the knowledge and skills to give my clients a
better chance of success.”
One parent from the summer group commented, “We have been very fortunate to participate
in various group therapies at the UT Hearing and Speech Center. I love how the therapists
and students strive to find new practices to keep the kids (and the parents) engaged
and excited about learning. Another benefit to group therapy has been the social
interaction. This interaction has been amazing not only for the kids but for the parents
as well. While the kids are learning from one another, the parents are offered that
same opportunity.”
Speech, Language and Swallowing Services
- Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Aural (Re)habilitation for Hearing Loss
- Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Delay
- Feeding and Swallowing Issues
- Language Delay or Disorder
- Parkinson's Disease
- Reading/Writing Delay
- Speech Sound Disorder
- Stuttering
- Voice Disorder
Resources:
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: AAC
- PrAACtical AAC
- Handout:10 things you may not know about AAC