4 Insights on AAC I Learned From My Son With Autism

As a young professional in the field of communication sciences and disorders, I wanted to specialize in something. I just wasn’t sure what, exactly. Little did I know my son’s autism diagnosis would foster a passion for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). My son Colin was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old. He also has childhood apraxia of speech. So I knew early he needed some type of AAC. A few months later, Colin began his journey using a communication device. I, in turn, dived into the world of speech-generating devices (SGDs). Within a few days of using his communication device, Colin could convey his basic wants and needs. These communications brought him smiles and joy. His excitement about being able to communicate sparked something in me. I needed to bring similar gratification to other children who need AAC. Colin quickly improved his communication skills using AAC. Now—as a 5-year-old—he wants his device with him everywhere he goes. He makes requests. He comments on things. He answers questions. He uses two-word phrases. He can even read! In the last several months, Colin started to speak. He can now imitate words we model for him. And he speaks in some three-word sentences, completely unprompted! I hear him say new words daily. In the past two years, I watched my son go from no language skills to effectively communicating daily . And I watched him go from nonverbal to speaking. My son taught me so much on our joint AAC journey. Her...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Augmentative Alternative Communication Autism Spectrum Disorder Source Type: blogs