Early Intervention and AAC: What a Difference 30 Years Makes

Abstract

This article provides an overview of early intervention and AAC over the 30-year period since the founding of the journal Augmentative and Alternative Communication in 1985. It discusses the global context for early intervention and addresses issues pertaining to young children from birth to 6 years of age. It provides a narrative review and synthesis of the evidence base in AAC and early intervention. Finally, it provides implications for practice and future research directions.

Keywords::

• Augmentative and alternative communication
• Autism
• Assistive technology
• Early intervention
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Supplementary Material Available Online

Appendix A and B to be found online at http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/07434618.2015.1064163