AAC and Early Communication Development

Introduction to Early Communication Development

  • First words typically spoken around 1 year old.

  • Between birth and preschool, children learn thousands of words and complex sentence structures.

Challenges in Communication Development

  • Some infants experience delays due to disabilities (neuromotor, cognitive, etc.).

  • Complex Communication Needs require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for development.

  • Early introduction of AAC enhances development potential.

AAC Strategies and Early Intervention

  • Early intervention is mandated by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C.

  • In 2014, over 350,000 infants and toddlers received early intervention services through IDEA.

  • Early interventionists include various specialists (e.g., speech-language pathologists).

Types of AAC

  • AAC includes unaided (gestures, facial expressions) and aided (photos, communication boards) communication.

  • AAC systems must be customized to the child's individual needs.

  • Children with complex communication needs often have an expressive vocabulary of fewer than 50 words.

Stages of Communication

  • Pre-intentional Pre-symbolic: Non-verbal signals to caregivers.

  • Intentional Pre-symbolic: Use of gestures and vocalizations.

  • Intentional Symbolic: Using words or symbols to communicate.

Importance of Gestures and Manual Signs

  • Manual signs can be a natural starting point for AAC.

  • They are portable and can be readily used; however, they may require motor skills that are challenging for some infants.

Vocabulary Development

  • Leveraging vocabulary checklists to select appropriate AAC vocabulary.

  • Collaborate with caregivers to ensure cultural relevance in vocabulary selection.

Active AAC Use

  • Early interventionists should support caregivers in using AAC actively with children.

  • Communication partners use multiple modes (talking, signing, devices) to model language.

  • Building vocabulary continuously is vital for communication growth.

Role of Technology in AAC

  • Mobile technology has implications for AAC use.

  • Recommendations suggest limiting media exposure for children under 24 months to promote interaction.

  • Visual Scene Displays (VSDs) can enhance engagement with familiar, meaningful contexts.

Research Insights

  • Despite benefits, AAC use in early intervention remains low due to provider training gaps.

  • Many eligible children do not receive timely AAC interventions, highlighting a need for improved training and ongoing research.

Future Directions

  • Emphasis on timely implementation of AAC as soon as infants are identified as candidates.

  • Collaboration between caregivers and interventionists is key for maximizing communication potential.