All about AAC

I had people ask about AAC and what it means.

What is AAC? It stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It's any system of communication used as an alternative for those who can't produce it vocally. Lots of autistic children and adults rely on some form of AAC, whether it's a high tech computer device or a low tech system like picture exchanges and sign language.

In my son's case, he now has a computer device to help him talk. We had him evaluated, and they decided the best system for him for now is the Springboard Lite. It's basically like a touchscreen computer with buttons he can press that say words for him. Some buttons open up new choice menus, and we can even add stories and pictures to it.

We're still fairly new to the system, and we had a recent hangup with the screen on our device breaking (they sent us a replacement while they repair it.) But I think this will really help us. And even in the short term, having an AAC has helped my son say new words. I also hope it really helps him once he hits Kindergarten. He's a smart kid, but people will underestimate him if he can't get his words out.

You might have noticed the price tag on that thing. Ouch, right? We were really, really lucky because our insurance paid for it. We did not expect it, and I tend to credit recent political pressure on insurance companies, such as health reform legislation and Kate's Law as influencing their approval decision.

Anyway, there are now some lower cost systems out there.  There's now a less than $200 software package you can get for iPods/iPhones.  That's not a system that will work with a preschooler, but if he still needs augmentation in middle school, it's a clear possibility.