Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a vibrant, diverse spectrum of tools and strategies designed to ensure that everyone, regardless of their spoken language abilities, has a powerful voice. From simple picture boards and manual signs to high-tech, eye-gaze speech-generating devices, AAC provides an inclusive communication pathway for children and adults.
Here at Talkshop Speech Pathology, our clinical team meets passionate, dedicated families every single day who are navigating this beautifully complex world of language development. Naturally, when we first introduce these communication tools, a wave of worry often follows. The most frequent question echoing through our clinic hallways is: “If we start using a communication device, will they stop trying to talk?” It is completely understandable to experience this fear, especially when society mistakenly views spoken words as the ultimate and only valid goal of communication ⁴
Understanding AAC Speech Therapy: More Than Just a Backup Plan
To understand why AAC helps rather than hinders verbal speech, we first need to define how it functions within a modern therapeutic framework. Essentially, AAC encompasses a massive variety of tools—ranging from “low-tech” options like picture books, symbols, and gestures, to “high-tech” speech-generating devices and robust iPad apps like Proloquo2Go or TouchChat ³.
Moreover, when we implement AAC speech therapy at Talkshop Speech Pathology, we are never giving up on verbal speech. Instead, we are giving an individual a reliable way to express their thoughts, feelings, and autonomy right now. Because communication is a fundamental human right, forcing a child to wait until they can produce clear spoken words before allowing them to communicate is inherently unjust. By using a multimodal or total communication approach—which simply means communicating in whatever way works best in the moment—our clinic validates all forms of expression ⁵.
Why AAC Speech Therapy Promotes, Rather Than Prevents, Verbal Speech
Many people assume that if a child or adult is given the option to press a button to speak, they won’t bother using their voice ⁴. However, that isn’t the case . Humans are hardwired for connection, and spoken language, when physically accessible, remains the most efficient form of communication.
Consequently, across decades of clinical literature, research consistently shows that AAC speech therapy actually encourages and in many cases increases verbal speech production ¹,⁵. The current evidence indicates that after introducing AAC, 89% of individuals increased their verbal speech production, 11% stayed the same, and 0% showed a decrease ⁵. This means not a single person in these landmark studies spoke less because of their device!
So why is this the case? Our clinicians see such incredible progress after introducing AAC because:
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It Relieves the Pressure to Perform
Imagine the intense anxiety of having a mind full of brilliant thoughts but being physically unable to coordinate your mouth to say them. That pressure can cause a child to shut down entirely. However, when our therapists introduce some form of AAC, that overwhelming pressure now has an outlet. Because the anxiety is gone, the child can relax, engage, and will often, become much more motivated to experiment with making sounds and spoken words.
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It Provides a Consistent Auditory Model
Every time a child presses a button on a high-tech speech-generating device, they hear the exact same word pronounced perfectly and instantly. This consistent acoustic feedback acts as a powerful teaching tool. As a result, during AAC speech therapy, a child hears the target word paired with the visual icon repeatedly, which helps their brain map the sounds needed to attempt the word verbally. When combined with modelling by parents, therapists, and teachers, children also begin to learn how to copy and move their mouth in the same way.
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It Shifts the Focus to Language and Connection
Communication is not just about the mechanics of moving the tongue and lips; rather, it is about sharing ideas, making choices, and building relationships ². When a child uses an AAC system, they learn how sentences are structured and how words have power ². This helps them develop strong internal motivation for interacting with and using AAC. In addition, research shows that toddlers with developmental delays who receive AAC build significantly larger language skills than those who undergo traditional speech approaches alone, because it gives them a way to practice robust vocabulary long before their mouths can physically formulate the words ³. Once they understand the magic of communication through their device, their overall desire to interact—both digitally and verbally—skyrockets ².
