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Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

AAC includes all of the ways we share our ideas and feelings without talking.

AAC: Text

Types of AAC

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AAC: Image
AAC: Image
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Communication Boards for Jersey City Public Schools

Contributed by JCEA member Maggie Cecchini, M.A., CCC-SLP

As I was browsing online, I found a fellow New Jersey speech therapist, Molly Cervini from Eat Play Learn LLC, who unveiled a communication board in her local park.  A communication board is a sheet of symbols, pictures or photos that a child will learn to point to, to communicate with those around them.  This sparked my interest. It was a wonderful idea to support inclusivity for nonspeaking children within their local community.  

When I presented the idea of obtaining a community communication board for our district, the administration whole-heartedly supported my vision. We are extremely grateful that Subaru’s “Share the Love“ was able to fund seven communication boards for the Jersey City Public Schools. Each board will be placed near cafeterias or in outdoor courtyards at schools that have a high population of students on the autism spectrum.  

The boards will enable nonspeaking students to have access to language support during lunch and recess. Not only will the boards benefit the students with functional communication skills, but they will also promote interdisciplinary collaboration for speech-language pathologists and teachers.

AAC: Image

Watch as Ahmed Ali delivers his graduation speech via communication device.

AAC: Video

Meet Elizabeth Bonker, a non-speaking autistic woman who delivered the commencement speech at Rollins College via AAC.

AAC: Video

This video gives a brief glimpse into how Tyler, who has cerebral palsy and a significant visual impairment progressed from not having a way to talk, to learning to navigate through 8 word choices, and eventually being able to navigate through thousands of words to say whatever he wants to say.

AAC: Video

October is AAC Awareness Month

AAC: Video

This video shows the importance of teaching core vocabulary to individuals with disabilities. It is a powerful video.

AAC: Video

Not Being Able to Speak is Not the Same as Not Having Anything to Say

These videos show some of the different ways our kids can communicate!

Kingston and Dad

Watch Kingston use gestures and jargon to talk sports with Dad.

Car Talk

These toddlers are using American Sign Language to communicate with their family.

Bubbles

Nico uses a picture exchange system to excitedly ask for bubbles!

AAC: List

Learn More About AAC

AAC Information

What is AAC?  Check out ASHA's extensive information on Alternative and Augmentative Communication.

CSH Camp Chatterbox

Camp Chatterbox is a one week overnight camp for children and young adults, ages 5-22, who use synthesized Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. All campers participate in a range of social, recreational, and educational activities to promote use of their communication systems and interact with other children.

How Parents and Teachers Can Support Children Using AAC

A guide for parents and teachers from Speech and Language Kids.

Boardmaker Educational Supports

During this unprecedented time, at home learning has become essential.  Every week, Boardmaker will release a new set of "At Home Learning" resources.

AAC Daily Schedule

This picture schedule depicts common daily routines.

AAC Institute

AAC Institute is a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the most effective communication for people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

Digital Morning Routine with Visuals

A quick interactive power-point morning routine that can be used with Zoom

AAC & You

A handout for parents.

PrAACtical AAC

Video of the Week.

AAC: Files
Speaking Practice
AAC: Image
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