#aac users

people use AAC for from intellectual & developmental disorders to neurocognitive disorders to neurological to physical disorders. people use AAC for disorders from birth & acquired disorders. progressive & non progressive disorders.

some AAC users have mouth speech, motor, and/or sound clarity related difficulties, others use for language and/or cogntive difficulties, some for combo of reasons.

those with…

intellectual disability

genetic & chromosomal disorders like down syndrome, rett syndrome, angelman syndrome, williams syndrome, etc.

cerebral palsy

speech language disorders like aphasia & dysarthria

schizophrenia & schizoaffective & schizo-spec

brain injury

dementia

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), huntington’s, frederick’s ataxia, etc.

tracheotomy

locked in syndrome

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Hello,

So, I believe that most current AAC users would still be AAC users because most of them have neurological and/or developmental problems, not vocal cord disorders. People who are exclusively non-verbal/non-speaking/mute with no comorbidities take up a small % of AAC users (media skews that perception in my opinion).

I don't have a source on this (IDK if one exists) but the biggest AAC-using group are probably people with cerebral palsy, and the majority of them are quadriplegic. Depending on the person's exact symptoms (muscle tightness, coordination, etc.), sign language might be impossible or extremely limited. Some people have no finger function. There are some people who use AAC devices with their feet or head or other body parts.

The above can also be true for people who had strokes, brain injuries, very high level paralysis, severe muscular dystrophies, and other neurological disorders. Many of the conditions that affect the ability to produce speech can also affect the hands.

Another large AAC-using group would be people with IDDs (intellectual and/or developmental disability). For the purpose of this paragraph this mostly means intellectually disabled and/or autistic people (especially those with high support needs). Here the problem isn't based on inability to produce sound, but to comprehend language. Sign language is still very much language, it has grammar and everything. I know some ID people who use sign language, but they're not fluent speakers and mostly just have a wider range of single words they can use (compared to oral speech). AAC can be more helpful here because it "prompts" what you want to say, you don't have to remember what XYZ is called, you just look at the board and point at the thing. You also don't have to be able to read, since most AAC for IDD people will have symbols.

There are also other conditions that won't make someone an AAC user, but could be relevant if they happen to be comorbid. If someone is an amputee or has severe tremors, their sign language would have to be significantly modified and possibly end up unintelligible for other people. If someone is very weak, they might not be able to hold their hands up for long enough to have a satisfying conversation. If someone is blind, they might use a braille-based AAC (unless tactile signing is also taught, which would be cool).

These are just some possible examples. AAC users are an extremely varied group and not all of them would benefit from having sign language over AAC.

Who We Are

USSAAC's Disaster Relief Committee responds to nationally declared disasters on behalf of USSAAC members, people who use AAC, their families, and other AAC stakeholders. We work collaboratively with other organizations to replace AAC tools and devices that are lost or damaged.

How We Can Help

I Have a Need

If your AAC equipment has been lost or damaged, we can help with a replacement at no cost. Use the ‘I Have a Need’ button at https://aacdisasterrelief.recovers.org

I Want to Donate

To support USSAAC's efforts with monetary donations, communication devices, AAC app codes, or other AAC-related items, use the ‘I Want to Give’ button at https://aacdisasterrelief.recovers.org

I Want to Volunteer

Enter your skills and location using the 'I Want to Volunteer' button at https://aacdisasterrelief.recovers.org

FAQs

What equipment IS covered?

*Speech-generating devices

*Access switches

*Device mounting systems

*Communication boards and books

*AAC device batteries and chargers

What Happens Next?

Requests - we will contact you to get more detailed information about your AAC needs.

Donations - we will contact you when there is a need that matches your offer.

Volunteers - we will contact you when there is a need that matches your skills, time, and location.

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