( Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Users.

Children with Disorders of the Corpus Callosum may have challenges with expressive and receptive language and need to rely on AAC to communicate their thoughts, needs, wants and ideas.  AAC is the term we use for all communication that is not speech. Even using facial expressions, body language, photographs or the written word to communicate with others can be thought of as AAC.  If your child is seeing a Speech Pathologist, they will be able to advise you on appropriate AAC to meet your child’s specific communication needs.

Within our preschools and classrooms, children are immersed in spoken language every day. Yet students who are learning to use AAC may not see their communication system being used to share real messages with anyone. Therefore it is vital that we create learning environments where it is ‘normal’ to see AAC being used by anyone, at any time, in all situations.  Some the AAC systems that I have used in my classroom to give children a voice, include:

Big Macks or Step by Step Communication Switches- these devices have pre-programmed messages on them that can be changed to suit the situation.  For example, the switch may have a message on it such as “Hello, How are you?” or “I need some help please.”  These types of devices are used mainly for social participation.

Object symbols- these are objects such as small versions or parts of objects which represent an activity, object or person. An example may be to use a paintbrush to represent art class.

Aided Language Displays – these are sets of photos, drawings, symbols or words that are used by children to communicate choices. For example there could be a page of pictographs related to water play options.

Picture Exchange Communication Systems- involves students learning to exchange single pictures for items or activities they really want. Eventually the children learn to construct simple sentences on a detachable sentence strip, such as “I want the trampoline.”

Manual Signing – involves the use of a set of signs, such as Makaton, to communicate with others. Signing is useful to help children to understand language. The sign can be seen for longer, whereas speech disappears as soon as it is spoken.

Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD)- is a way of systematically organising whole word and picture symbols in a communication book or a speech generating device to give children a wide range of vocabulary that allows them to communicate across a range of messages and topics in a variety of situations.

Speech generating devices –includes communication boards or displays on a technical device such as an iPad, which speak a message when a particular button is pressed.  Children may also have the option to spell out words and messages.