Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Some autistic people use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
AAC means using something other than talking to communicate.
Sometimes, AAC adds onto talking.
Sometimes, people use AAC instead of talking.
Both speaking and non-speaking autistic people use AAC.
Some people use AAC all of the time.
Some people only use it sometimes.

There are lots of different kinds of AAC.

Some kinds of AAC are:

  • Typing on a computer.
  • Pushing buttons on an iPad.
  • Pointing to letters or pictures on a board.
  • Using sign language.

Just because we can’t talk, doesn’t mean we can’t communicate.
Autistic people communicate in all sorts of ways!
No matter how we communicate, we should be listened to.
Talking isn’t better than other kinds of communication.