AAC supportfor communicationand participation.

What AAC can include

Augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC, includes ways to support or replace spoken communication. Options can include gestures, pictures, communication boards, writing and speech-generating devices. A student may use more than one way to communicate. The ASHA AAC Practice Portal provides a detailed introduction.

Bring a specific communication question

Your team might need help reviewing a student’s current system, planning an evaluation, organizing a trial or deciding how classroom staff can support communication during daily activities. Tell AU what is working, where participation becomes difficult and which people or settings should be part of the consultation.

• AAC consultation and assessment planning
• Evaluation support, feature matching and trial planning
• Communication-partner coaching
• Classroom implementation and team training
• ARD/IEP participation focused on communication access

Plan for use beyond the therapy session

An AU consultation can focus on one routine, such as a classroom discussion, a transition or a team activity. Together, the school team can identify what the student needs to communicate, what tools are already available and what adults need to do consistently. The agreed plan should identify the people responsible for follow-through and how questions will be reviewed.

Coordinate school and family priorities

Students, families, educators and related-service providers bring different information about communication. AU’s role can include helping the team connect those observations to practical next steps. The scope may be a focused consultation, evaluation support or an ongoing arrangement, depending on the need and available staffing.