Augmentative and alternative communication: an evolving field*

Abstract

The field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) continues to evolve and continues to undergo changes. A recent meeting of several members of the AAC community provided an opportunity to reflect upon current issues of concern. This paper extrapolates several common themes that emerged from discussions and four think tank articles, including integrated AAC services, interdisciplinary cooperation, AAC user involvement, and vocabulary selection. These four themes are discussed in terms of continuations and changes within the field since the first think tank in 1987. Cognitive science and AAC as well as the role of graphic symbols in the language acquisition process of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities emerged as new and challenging issues.

• AAC user involvement
• cognitive science
• graphic symbols
• integrated AAC services
• interdisciplinary cooperation
• language acquisition
• vocabulary selection