AAC in communication disorders

Any condition that alters the acquisition of a morpho-syntactic organization of thought will compromise communicative interaction. Verbal disability relates to diversified morbid conditions; these could be congenital or acquired, permanent or temporary and could arise over the entire lifespan. The degree of verbal disability presents a different range of severity and not only involves speech but cognitive and emotional aspects. In all these conditions a possibility of communication can be facilitated or substituted through ecological or mediate interventions, using technological devices of differing complexity. AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication) refers to any communication method used to increase natural communication or to replace it if entirely absent. The presuppositions and the general principles of AAC are described. © 2010 Informa Healthcare.