Augmentative and alternative communication: An historic perspective

Abstract

During the past 3 decades, the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has emerged as a major development for the benefit of individuals with little or no functional speech. This paper attempts to document the social and historic events that led to the emergence of the discipline of AAC and to identify some major milestones in its development. The paper outlines the trends and transitions that have occurred in the areas of aided and unaided communication, intervention, service delivery, consumer issues, and professional development. Although abundant information was only available about the course of development in a few countries, the authors have attempted to use available resources to present the major international events and developments that influenced the evolution of AAC from a North American perspective.

• chronology
• historic perspective
• trends